Silicone and PU are the two most-used transfer technologies in garment manufacturing — and the comparison comes up in almost every program. Both can carry a logo beautifully; they differ in hand feel, stretch, durability and cost structure.
01Quick Comparison
- Hand feel — silicone is softer and more elastic; PU is thin and smooth
- Appearance — silicone has a raised, dimensional look; PU sits flatter with a clean edge
- Stretch — silicone recovers better on high-stretch fabrics; PU is good on moderate stretch
- Durability — both wash well when correctly matched to the fabric; silicone leads on stretch garments
- Cost — PU is generally the more economical option at volume
02Choose Silicone When
- The garment is high-stretch: compression wear, leggings, performance jerseys
- The brand wants a soft, premium hand feel with a raised texture
- The application is a main brand mark on activewear or sportswear
03Choose PU When
- You need crisp, multi-color graphics at a controlled cost
- The application is names, numbers or large logo programs on t-shirts and knitwear
- The garment has low-to-moderate stretch and a flat finish is preferred
04The Honest Answer
For most programs the decision is confirmed by touching physical samples on the actual fabric — a spec sheet rarely settles a hand-feel question. We routinely provide both technologies as samples on the same fabric so your team can compare side by side before committing to bulk production.