Stahls' CAD-CUT® Thermo-FILM® Heat Transfer Vinyl – Purple

Stahls' CAD-CUT® Thermo-FILM® is a durable athletic heat transfer vinyl built for names, numbers, logos and graphics on sports uniforms and other hard-wearing apparel. The Purple material is engineered for abrasion resistance, fast heat-press application and dependable performance on cotton, polyester and cotton/poly blends, making it especially useful for football, lacrosse and other contact-sport jersey decoration.

Key Features & Benefits

• Built for athletic uniforms: Stahls positions Thermo-FILM as its primary material for contact-sport jersey decoration.
• Enhanced abrasion resistance: Designed for demanding uniforms where graphics are exposed to repeated wear, contact and laundering.
• Fast application: Standard one-color application requires only 6–8 seconds with a professional heat press.
• Dye-migration resistance: Provides better dye-migration resistance than many general-purpose HTVs, making it useful for polyester and many sublimated athletic applications.
• Production-friendly carrier: The pressure-sensitive carrier supports cutting, weeding and positioning of names, numbers and detailed graphics.
• Layerable: Can be used for multi-color designs when the current Stahls layering procedure is followed.

Verified Application Specifications

• Product: Stahls' CAD-CUT® Thermo-FILM® heat transfer vinyl
• Finish: Semi-matte
• Recommended fabrics: Cotton, polyester and cotton/poly blends
• Standard application time: 6–8 seconds
• Application temperature: 330°F / 165°C
• Pressure: Medium
• Peel: Hot
• Washability reference: Stahls lists 50 wash cycles under its stated test/care conditions
• Current CrafterNV variant selections: 20" x 5 yards - 9 Left in stock

Common Applications

• Football and lacrosse jerseys
• Team uniforms and practice apparel
• Player names and numbers
• School and club sports apparel
• Polyester and sublimated athletic garments
• Workwear and other apparel requiring a durable cut graphic

Why Choose Thermo-FILM?

Choose Thermo-FILM when durability and abrasion resistance are more important than achieving the softest possible hand. It is particularly well suited to athletic uniforms that see repeated contact and laundering. For lightweight fashion apparel where softness and lower application temperatures are the main priorities, a general-purpose product such as UltraWeed may be a better fit. For nylon mesh and specialty athletic fabrics, verify compatibility and consider the Stahls material specifically designed for that substrate.

Thermo-FILM also helps production shops move quickly: the standard 330°F application requires only 6–8 seconds, followed by a hot peel.

Cutting & Heat-Press Guidance

Mirror the artwork before cutting. Cut the heat-transfer film while leaving the pressure-sensitive carrier intact, weed away excess material, and position the graphic carrier-side up. Always perform a test cut before production. Stahls recommends maintaining line thickness of at least 1/16 inch for optimal cutting and weeding of lettering and logos.

For a standard one-color application, press at 330°F for 6–8 seconds using medium pressure and peel hot. Stahls' settings are developed using Hotronix® heat presses; time, temperature and pressure may require verification on other equipment. Always test the actual garment before beginning a production run.

Care & Storage

Machine wash decorated garments inside out using mild detergent. Do not use bleach or dry clean. Dry using a normal household dryer setting. Store unused Thermo-FILM in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight, heat and humidity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thermo-FILM best used for?
Thermo-FILM is designed primarily for durable athletic decoration, especially names, numbers and graphics on contact-sport jerseys and uniforms.

What temperature and time does Thermo-FILM use?
Stahls specifies 330°F for 6–8 seconds at medium pressure for a standard one-color application, followed by a hot peel.

Can Thermo-FILM be used on polyester?
Yes. Polyester is one of the fabrics listed by Stahls for Thermo-FILM. Because polyester fabrics and dyes vary, test the actual garment for heat sensitivity and dye migration before production.

Does Thermo-FILM help with dye migration?
Yes. Stahls identifies Thermo-FILM as providing dye-migration inhibition and recommends it for polyester and sublimated athletic applications. Highly migratory fabrics should still be tested before production.

Can Thermo-FILM be layered?
Yes. Stahls lists Thermo-FILM as layerable. Follow the current multi-color application procedure rather than giving every layer a complete final press.

Is Thermo-FILM the same as Thermo-GRIP?
No. Thermo-FILM is the primary abrasion-resistant athletic HTV for cotton, polyester and blends. Thermo-GRIP is a separate product formulated for additional athletic fabrics such as nylon mesh and Dazzle® polyester. Select the material based on the actual garment construction.