Textile embossing with silicone With embossing you give textiles a permanent relief, for example a logo that rises from the fabric. Silicones are ideal for this: they hold the relief, stay flexible and survive the washing machine. Embossing with silicone covers two different methods. The one you choose determines which...
Textile embossing with silicone (0)
There are no products in this collection. Keep on shopping.
Textile embossing with silicone
With embossing you give textiles a permanent relief, for example a logo that rises from the fabric. Silicones are ideal for this: they hold the relief, stay flexible and survive the washing machine.
Embossing with silicone covers two different methods. The one you choose determines which silicone you need.
⚠️ Temporarily an information page
The products on this page are not yet available in our webshop. They can, however, be supplied on request through our suppliers. Send us your application, the textile and the required quantity, and we will prepare a quotation or arrange a sample.
Two methods
1. Relief in the textile itself
The reverse side of the fabric is coated or printed with silicone. The fabric is then pressed between a heated, two-sided mould. The silicone cures in the shape of the mould and holds the relief in the fabric. This works well on cotton and polyester/cotton blends. On 100% polyester the relief may flatten again over time.
2. Raised silicone logo from a mould
Strictly speaking not embossing, but a thick silicone logo formed in a single-sided mould. The back bonds to the textile under heat. This is how you make sharp, high logos and badges.
Suitable silicones
| Brand | Product | Properties according to manufacturer | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nanotech | SILME-4040 A/B | Silicone ink for embossed prints, applied to the reverse side of the fabric, 1:1, viscosity 90,000 to 110,000 mPa·s, elongation 400 to 500%, 40 kg pack. Cure can be accelerated with 1 to 2% SILME-6160 | On request |
| Nanotech | SILME-6160 CATALYST | Platinum catalyst to accelerate curing, also outside the heated plate | On request |
| CHT | ALPATEC 3060 LSR A/B | 50:50, for raised three-dimensional prints, very good flow | On request |
| CHT | ALPATEC 30191 A/B | 50:50, transparent and highly elastic, for 3D prints and coatings | On request |
Note on SILME-4040: the TDS gives no curing times; these are determined per process. Material pressed out beyond the heated plate will not cure on its own at the standard dosage. Nanotech advises starting with approx. 1% SILME-6160 and increasing in steps of 0.5%. At room temperature 3 to 4% is required. More catalyst does shorten the working time.
Mould material for embossing
For the mould or die you need a silicone that withstands the pressing temperature and reproduces detail well. None of the manufacturers name embossing or transfer presses as an application for their mould-making silicones. This is therefore a matter of your own choice and your own testing.
- →Addition-cure mould-making silicones from our range, such as Wacker ELASTOSIL M 4641 or Wacker Vario 40. Check the temperature resistance in the TDS.
- →Zhermack ZA range and Polytek PlatSil HTS range (addition-cure mould-making silicones), on request.
- →For long runs or high temperatures, a metal die is often more durable than silicone.
Frequently asked questions
Does embossing work on every textile?
The best results are achieved on cotton and polyester/cotton blends. On 100% polyester the relief may fade somewhat over time. Always test on your own fabric.
Can I colour the embossed logo?
Yes. Colour the silicone beforehand with a silicone colour paste, such as CSILMENT from Nanotech. Keep the dosage low and test the cure.
Why does the material next to the press not cure?
Addition-cure silicones for textiles only cure quickly with heat. Anything outside the heated plate stays cold. A slightly higher catalyst dosage or a larger heated plate solves this.
Related categories
Request embossing silicones
Tell us which method you use, on which textile and at what pressing temperature. Email info@siliconesandmore.com or call +31 (0)85 485 83 11, Monday to Thursday 08:30 to 17:00, Friday 08:30 to 15:00 (CET).
Product information is based on the manufacturers' technical data sheets, brochures and websites (as of September 2026). Values are typical values and not a specification. Always consult the current TDS and test on your own textile and process. ELASTOSIL is a trademark of Wacker Chemie AG, ALPATEC and ALPAPRINT are trademarks of CHT, SILME and CSILFLEX are trademarks of Nano Tech Chemical Brothers.