Custom TPU Labels

A TPU label is a logo or brand mark made from thermoplastic polyurethane and attached to a garment with heat rather than thread. The badge is built up from TPU film, printed or coloured, then cut to the outline of your logo. For a raised, three-dimensional look, the film is pressed into a mould so the logo stands up from its base. A hot-melt adhesive layer on the back bonds to the fabric when the label is pressed with a heat press.

The result sits on the outside of the product as a crisp, slightly glossy or matte badge. You will see this style on running jackets, cycling jerseys, gym shorts, leggings waistbands, ski wear, caps, backpacks and soft cases. It reads as modern and technical, which is why it is popular with sportswear and outdoor brands rather than with heritage or handmade labels.

Because nothing is stitched, a TPU label adds no needle holes. That matters on lightweight performance fabrics that pucker under a sewing line, and on waterproof shells where every stitch is a potential leak point that would otherwise need seam tape.

• Performance tops and jackets. A chest or sleeve logo that flexes with the fabric and adds no stitching line. A good fit with our activewear labels range.
• Leggings and shorts waistbands. A small badge on the outside of the waistband, kept compact so it does not fight the stretch.
• Waterproof and outdoor gear. Stitch-free branding on shells, gaiters and dry bags. See outdoor gear labels for the inside labels that go with them.
• Caps and headwear. A front or side badge on structured caps where embroidery would be heavy.
• Bags and soft accessories. Backpacks, wash bags and laptop sleeves made from coated or technical fabrics.

TPU is less suitable for very heat-sensitive fabrics, deep-pile textures such as fleece with a long nap, and areas that bend sharply over seams, zips or pockets, because the press plate cannot sit flat there. If you want the label inside the garment for size and care, a tagless heat transfer is normally the better fit.

• Keep it compact. Logo badges for chest and sleeve usually sit somewhere around 30–80 mm wide. A large solid TPU panel adds stiffness and reduces breathability, so go bigger only where the fabric does not need to stretch much.
• Avoid hairlines and tiny counters. Thin strokes and the small enclosed spaces inside letters such as “e” and “a” can fill in on raised designs. Bold, simple marks look best.
• Use a base shape for loose letters. Separate letters pressed one by one are easy to misalign. Joining them on a thin base keeps them square.
• Keep away from seams and zips. Leave a clear flat area around the badge so the press plate gives even pressure.
• Match the finish to the fabric. A matte badge on a matte shell looks integrated; a glossy or metallic badge stands out on a dull fabric.

Vector artwork (AI, PDF or SVG) is best. Our artwork preparation guide explains how to set up files.

TPU labels are applied at the garment factory or in your own workshop with a heat press. The right temperature, dwell time and pressure depend on the transfer and on the fabric, so we give you recommended settings for your specific label with the proof. The general process is the same for every order:

1. Pre-press the garment for a few seconds to remove moisture and creases.
2. Position the label face-up on its carrier, using a ruler or a printed placement guide so every garment matches.
3. Cover with a protective sheet and press with even, firm pressure.
4. Peel the carrier as instructed (hot or cold, depending on the transfer), then let the garment cool fully.
5. Wait before the first wash, turn the garment inside out, and avoid ironing directly on the badge.

Always press a few test garments and run them through several washes before committing a full batch. That catches the two most common problems, under-pressing and a fabric finish that resists the adhesive, while they are still cheap to fix. For the inside of the same garments, our printed care labels carry the fibre content and washing instructions.