Why Is Pre-Pressing Textiles Recommended?

Pre-Pressing Textiles
Pre-pressing textiles is especially recommended for fabrics containing natural fibers, such as cotton, to ensure better adhesion of heat transfer vinyl (HTV), flex film, or flock film.

Moisture
Natural fibers retain moisture, which is released as steam during the pressing process. Rising steam cannot escape from beneath the heat transfer film and may create a layer of moisture between the adhesive and the textile fibers. This can significantly reduce the adhesion of the film.

Emulsion
Modern textiles are produced on high-speed weaving machines. Since natural fibers tend to break during weaving, the yarn is often treated with a wax-like emulsion to prevent thread breakage. Residues of this emulsion may remain on the yarn and can interfere with proper bonding between the adhesive and the fabric surface.
For this reason, it is advisable to briefly pre-press textiles containing natural fibers before positioning the transfer. This allows trapped moisture to evaporate and helps reduce emulsion residues through heat, significantly improving the adhesion of the heat transfer film.