Matsui Flock Binder 301 — The Foundation of Velvet Texture Printing

Flock printing is the premium tactile effect in screen printing. Where metallic shimmer catches the eye and crackle creates visual texture, flock catches the hand. The wearer reaches down and touches raised, velvety fibers that feel like suede, velour, or felt. The print is not flat. It is dimensional. It has depth, softness, and a luxury hand feel that no ink — not even the softest water-based ink — can replicate.

The secret to flock printing is not the flock itself. It is the adhesive underneath.

Flock Binder 301 is that adhesive. It is a screen-printable binder that creates the foundation layer to which flock fibers bond. You print it through a screen just like ink. Then, while the adhesive is still wet, you apply loose flock fibers — extremely short, precision-cut textile fibers — onto the adhesive surface, either by hand sprinkling, mechanical application, or electrostatic flocking equipment. The flock fibers stand upright in the wet adhesive. When the adhesive cures at 320°F (160°C), the fibers are permanently locked in position, creating a dense, even, velvety surface.

The quality of the flock print depends entirely on the quality of the adhesive. If the adhesive is weak, fibers wash off. If the adhesive is too stiff, the flock area feels rigid and uncomfortable. If the adhesive sinks too deep into the fabric, there is not enough surface adhesive for the fibers to bond to.

Flock Binder 301 is formulated to solve all three issues. It gives strong adhesion that holds flock fibers through repeated washing, a soft hand feel that keeps the flock area flexible and comfortable, and a viscosity designed to stay on the fabric surface where flock fibers can bond effectively.

How Direct Flocking Works — Step by Step

Direct flocking is a straightforward process once you understand the sequence.

Step 1: Screen print the adhesive

Load Flock Binder 301 into your screen and print the design area onto the garment just like printing ink. Use mesh 80–120/inch (32–47/cm). Print a generous, even deposit. The adhesive must stay on the surface of the fabric, not sink through it. A thick stencil helps.

Step 2: Apply flock fibers immediately

While the adhesive is still wet, apply loose flock fibers onto the printed area. The fibers bond to the wet adhesive and stand upright. Application methods include hand sprinkling for small runs, mechanical shaker or sifter setups for medium production, or electrostatic flocking equipment for professional production. Electrostatic charge orients fibers perfectly upright for the densest, most even velvet texture.

Step 3: Cure

Run the garment through the dryer at 320°F (160°C). The heat cures the adhesive and permanently locks the flock fibers in position.

Step 4: Remove excess

After curing, vacuum, shake, or brush off any loose fibers that did not bond to the adhesive. The bonded fibers remain and create the finished velvety surface.

Important base coat consideration: If the Flock Binder penetrates too deeply into the fabric, leaving insufficient adhesive on the surface for fiber bonding, print a base coat first using a layer of Matsui white or clear ink, flash it, then print Flock Binder on top. The base coat seals the fabric surface and keeps the adhesive where the flock fibers need it.

Tinting with Neo Pigments for Color-Matched Adhesive

Tint Flock Binder 301 with Matsui Neo Pigments to color-match the adhesive to your flock fiber color.

Why does adhesive color matter? Flock fibers are extremely short, typically 0.5mm to 2mm. Even at maximum density, tiny gaps between fibers can expose the adhesive layer below. If the adhesive is a contrasting color to the flock, those gaps create a visible mismatch at close range. By tinting the adhesive to match the flock color, any visible adhesive between fibers blends much more seamlessly.

• Red flock — tint binder with Neo Pigment Red so the adhesive disappears under the red fibers
• Navy flock — tint with Neo Pigment Blue for seamless support under navy fibers
• Black flock — tint with Neo Pigment Black so the adhesive disappears visually
• White flock — leave binder untinted or tint very lightly with Neo Pigment White for a clean base
• Green flock — tint with Neo Pigment Green to match green flock fibers

Keep pigment additions moderate. Flock Binder 301 is an adhesive system, and its primary job is bonding fibers. Excessive pigment can affect adhesion properties. The goal is moderate tinting for color matching, not heavy pigmentation.

Explore the full Matsui Neo Pigment collection here.

Flock Binder 301 vs. Foil Adhesive TFG 301 — Direct Flocking vs. Heat-Press Flock Sheets

Matsui makes two adhesive bases that can work with flock, but they use completely different processes. Customers often confuse them, so this comparison helps clarify the difference.

The bottom line: Flock Binder 301 is for direct flocking with loose fibers applied to wet adhesive on the press. Foil Adhesive TFG 301 is for heat-press transfers such as flock sheets, foil, and Reflectalite applied after the adhesive is cured. Different processes need different products.

Flock Binder 301 vs. Glitter Base 301 — Two Binder Systems for Two Different Embellishments

Both are binder systems where you add your own material, but the materials and final results are completely different.

How Matsui Additives Improve Your Production with Flock Binder 301

Flock Binder 301 is production-ready from the container. Matsui additives help optimize the process.

The problem: Adhesive dries in the screen during production pauses, and dried adhesive in the screen before flock application means the adhesive is no longer wet enough for fibers to bond. The additive solution: Retarder MG at 1–5% extends open time. This is particularly important in direct flocking because the adhesive must remain wet until flock fibers are applied.

The problem: Adhesive is too thin and flows into the fabric instead of staying on the surface. The additive solution: Thickener B at 0.1–0.5% increases viscosity to keep the adhesive on the surface where flock fibers can bond. This uses a lower dosage range than many standard applications.

The problem: Adhesive is too thick for smooth printing. The additive solution: RV Additive at 0.1–1.0% reduces viscosity. This also uses a lower dosage range than standard.

Important: Stir well before use. Flock Binder 301 must be stirred thoroughly before printing, especially after extended storage, because adhesive components can settle.

Browse the complete Matsui additive collection here.

Why Screen Printers Choose Flock Binder 301

I want velvet-textured lettering and logos on garments — raised, touchable, dimensional.

This is the core Flock Binder application. Print the adhesive, apply flock fibers, and cure. The result is a raised, velvety surface that adds a premium tactile dimension to any design. Varsity lettering, luxury logos, and high-end brand marks all benefit from flock.

I want full control over flock fiber color, type, and length.

Direct flocking with Flock Binder 301 gives you broad flock options. Any flock fiber color, any fiber length, and any fiber type can be used. You are not limited to the pre-made flock sheet colors available from a supplier.

I want to color-match the adhesive to the flock for seamless edges.

Tint the adhesive with Neo Pigments so visible adhesive between fibers blends in instead of creating a color mismatch.

My flock fibers keep falling off after a few washes.

Check three things. First, make sure the adhesive deposit is thick enough by using lower mesh and a thicker stencil. Second, make sure the adhesive is staying on the fabric surface instead of sinking through, and use a base coat first if necessary. Third, make sure the print is fully cured at 320°F (160°C). Undercuring is one of the biggest reasons flock adhesion fails.

I want multi-color flock on one garment.

Direct flocking makes this possible. Print adhesive in one area, apply one flock color, then repeat in another area with a different flock color. Because you control where the fibers go, multi-color flock work can be built directly into the design.

I want the flock area to feel soft and flexible — not stiff.

Flock Binder 301 is built for a soft hand feel. The flock area stays flexible and comfortable. The velvet texture is plush, not rigid.

Key Features

• Flock fibers not included — adhesive base only, so you supply your own flock fibers
• Designed for the direct flocking process — print adhesive, apply loose flock fibers to the wet surface, and cure
• Excellent adhesion to flock pile — strong fiber bonding that holds through repeated washing when properly cured
• Soft hand feel — flock area remains flexible and comfortable
• Tintable with Neo Pigments — color-match the adhesive to the flock color for cleaner, more professional edges
• Base coat option — helpful if adhesive penetrates too deeply into fabric
• Production-optimized with Matsui additives — compatible with Retarder MG, Thickener B, and RV Additive
• Zero viscosity modifications required — prints from the container, though it should be stirred well before use
• PVC-free and eco-compliant — OEKO-TEX® compliant, CPSIA compliant, and HR4040 compliant

Recommended Additives for Flock Binder 301 Production

Note: Flock Binder 301 uses lower additive dosage ranges than many standard Matsui systems. Thickener B at 0.1–0.5% and RV Additive at 0.1–1.0% should be used conservatively. Flock Binder adhesion properties are sensitive to formulation changes, so start low and test before production.

Browse the complete Matsui additive collection here.