Flock printing

A fabric finish as electrostatic adhesive deposit of short fiber pile on printed areas—the flock printing process on textile finishing, distinct from [[foil-printing|Foil printing]] as related cousin and from [[screen-printing|Screen printing]] without flock printing naming.

How to recognize it

Flock printing shows flock printing as adhesive screen print receiving chopped rayon fibers in electrostatic flocking booth.

Foil printing is the related cousin finish. Screen printing names a different textile process.

Origin and history

Textile surveys name flock printing among mill surface embellishment steps.[1] Flocking (texture)) documents flock printing on cotton.[2] Fabric-finish references contrast flock printing and related processes.[3] Mill photography documents flock printing reference.[4]

Flock printing reads on woven and knitted yardage before or after garment cutting.[2] Flock printing differs from related finish cousins.[1] Contrast with batch-40 fabric finishes scouring bleaching dyeing piece dyeing tie-dye batik discharge printing on pre-print color preparation.[3]

Today flock printing appears on flock printing velvet-touch tee, raised logo hoodie, flocked wallpaper fashion, and pile transfer in cotton and linen.[1][2] Mill control needs even pressure and registration.[4] When electrostatic adhesive deposit of short fiber pile on printed areas—flock printing applies.[2]

Where it is used

Flock printing velvet-touch tee, raised logo hoodie, flocked wallpaper fashion, and pile transfer.[2]

What is worn now

Editorial styling suggestions from MsDressly—not strict rules.

Flock printing pairs with matched finish sequence on structured shirting.[2]

How it differs

Foil printing is related cousin. Screen printing names different process. Compare gold anchors cotton and silk.[1]

Expression and impression

Flock printing reads mill-applied, surface-altering, and production-defining.

Common questions

Flock printing vs foil-printing? Foil printing is related cousin; flock printing names specific finish.[1]

Flock printing vs screen-printing? Screen printing lacks flock printing naming.[2]

Flock printing modern? Yes on flock printing velvet-touch tee.[2]

Often confused with

Sources

  1. Textile . Encyclopaedia Britannica Industrial textile finishing including surface embellishment and functional chemistry.
  2. Flocking (texture) . Wikipedia Electrostatic or adhesive application of short fiber pile onto printed adhesive areas.
  3. Screen printing . Wikipedia Stencil-based ink application through mesh onto fabric yardage and apparel.
  4. File:Flock-foil golden-yellow.jpg . Wikimedia Commons Golden-yellow flock foil sample on textile transfer film; CC BY-SA 3.0.

Written by MsDressly Editorial

September 28, 2026