This statement (thrown out matter-of-factly) in a link about prison print shops caught my eye.
Correctional Industries uses water-based nontoxic inks which are soft as well as permanent — actually becoming part of the fabric in the screen printing process. This makes our range of screen printed items ideal for the playing field, resisting the peeling that is common with iron-on or decal printing.
Now, I must admit that yes, I have had some heat seal vinyl and polyurethane peel, but always due to operator error, soiled used garments, or incompatible materials, and never over time, but almost immediately, first laundering.
I must also admit that when doing some restorative work on a CFL collector jersey, there was some peeling, but this was an old sucker! and I was, in fact, surprised to see "iron on" used at this professional level, albeit years back.
I am betting, that just as the advent of DTG caused the paper transfer technical folks to step up their game, vinyl and polyurethane films are much improved as well, and not "your father's iron-ons!"
Thoughts?