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Craftsmanship
Hot Drilling & Pearl
Rhinestones and pearls are set into the fabric with heat — one stone at a time, or as a pre-arranged transfer.
Hot drilling uses a heated applicator that melts the glue backing on each rhinestone so it bonds to the surface without stitching. Because every stone is placed individually, the technique suits dense scatter patterns, lettering and contoured shapes that would be slow to embroider.
Pearl setting follows the same principle with half-round ABS or resin pearls, giving a softer matte finish next to the sparkle of crystal. Both finishes sit on top of the fabric, so we normally pair them with a stable knit or a fused panel to stop the surface stretching and popping stones.
- Works on
- Cotton jersey, fleece, denim, canvas
- Typical use
- Statement graphics, logos, denim pockets, trims
- Artwork
- Vector file with stone size and colour breakdown
Reference work
Want this finish on your own product? Send us your artwork and target quantity — we will come back with a costed quote and a lead time.
Request a quote