With the rapid development of modern industry and the growing demand for insulated fabric textures and printing, food and beverage, healthcare, personal care, and thermal transfer film or vinyl materials have received special attention from society. Thermally conductive vinyl refers to special films that can be used on certain fabrics, such as cotton, polyester, and cotton-cotton blends, which can print patterns or logos on specific materials. The transfer film is made of polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride. It is expected that in the next few years, the textile industry will remain the main end user of heat transfer films.

Opaque heat transfer films (such as gloss, glitter, metal, fluff, and reflective films) are commonly used in T-shirt printing. PET and PS are the most common materials used to produce release paper. A heat press is used to apply heat transfer vinyl to any fabric material at a pressure of about 3 to 4 bar and 150 degrees Celsius. Nylon and other textiles with hydrophobic impregnation are not suitable for thermal transfer vinyl applications. Cotton and cotton blend fabrics and clothing are widely printed using thermal transfer films. This is because compared to other fabric materials, cotton and cotton blends are breathable, easy to dye and smooth. Sportswear and womenswear makers are gradually using opaque, glossy and metallic thermal transfer films to print logos and graphics. The growing demand for high-quality graphics and high-quality printed T-shirts by millennials is expected to be a major driver of thermal transfer film demand. Promotions and marketing activities may increase the penetration of heat transfer films in the textile and other industries.