The history of flocking

The history of the flock technology started already about 3000 years ago. At that time, the Chinese invented the prototype of flocking. A resin size was applied onto a textile carrier material onto which natural fibres were sprinkled. The beautification and the optical improving of goods pieces were the start of the flocking.

The first secured evidence of mechanical flocking was found in the 12th century. It was in a cloister at Nuremberg, now Germany, were this technique was used with the help of wooden models and with natural fibres having previously been crushed in a mortar to manufacture wall decorations. However, this technique was lost again for quite a long time.

In the 20ies of the last century and for the first time in the USA, sand paper was produced with electrostatic support. Thus, the corund particles were always aligned with their tip upwards. It was a small step to transfer this effect to textile fibre cuts.

In the 20ies of the last century and for the first time in the USA, sand paper was produced with electrostatic support. Thus, the corund particles were always aligned with their tip upwards. It was a small step to transfer this effect to textile fibre cuts.

By now velour paper was flocked but in the middle of the 50’s the actual industrial production started with the flocking of “flock print” – design flocked textiles for the fashionable Lady’s wear.

In the beginning of the 60’s the flocked carpet was developed which after the difficulties in the beginning, nowadays has become a superb product with excellent wear- and tear and also cleaning fastness.
Also, in the 60’s in the USA, the flocking of rubber profiles for the car industry was invented. Europe started with the flocking of glove compartments and with deposits because of the high quality visual effect and of the noise reduction. From the 70’s on, mainly the technical flocking moved into all areas, especially in the car industry, in the cosmetics, phonographic and photographic trade. A very big market was created with the sports wear carrying team logos and flock applications. Also, flock print has become fashionable again. On top of all this, upholstery fabric and fabric for shoes and bags are being flocked.

Today, the electrostatic flocking with its mature technique and materials is in a position to finish almost every surface in order to give the carrier material not only a better optic but – and often nowadays this is even more important – also additional characteristics.