diff --git a/hack/make-rules/test-cmd-util.sh b/hack/make-rules/test-cmd-util.sh
index 8e7598c722..93c0b76714 100755
--- a/hack/make-rules/test-cmd-util.sh
+++ b/hack/make-rules/test-cmd-util.sh
@@ -1710,6 +1710,208 @@ run_kubectl_request_timeout_tests() {
   set +o errexit
 }
 
+run_template_output_tests() {
+  set -o nounset
+  set -o errexit
+
+  kube::log::status "Testing --template support on commands"
+  ### Test global request timeout option
+  # Pre-condition: no POD exists
+  create_and_use_new_namespace
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pods "{{range.items}}{{$id_field}}:{{end}}" ''
+  # Command
+  # check that create supports --template output
+  kubectl create "${kube_flags[@]}" -f test/fixtures/doc-yaml/admin/limitrange/valid-pod.yaml
+  # Post-condition: valid-pod POD is created
+  kubectl get "${kube_flags[@]}" pods -o json
+  kube::test::get_object_assert pods "{{range.items}}{{$id_field}}:{{end}}" 'valid-pod:'
+
+  # check that patch command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" patch --dry-run pods/valid-pod -p '{"patched":"value3"}' --type=merge --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'valid-pod:'
+
+  # check that label command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" label --dry-run pods/valid-pod label=value --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'valid-pod:'
+
+  # check that annotate command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" annotate --dry-run pods/valid-pod annotation=value --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'valid-pod:'
+
+  # check that apply command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" apply --dry-run -f test/fixtures/doc-yaml/admin/limitrange/valid-pod.yaml --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'valid-pod:'
+
+  # check that create command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create -f test/fixtures/doc-yaml/admin/limitrange/valid-pod.yaml --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'valid-pod:'
+
+  # check that autoscale command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" autoscale --max=2 -f hack/testdata/scale-deploy-1.yaml --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'scale-1:'
+
+  # check that expose command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" expose -f hack/testdata/redis-slave-replicaset.yaml --save-config --port=80 --target-port=8000 --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'redis-slave:'
+
+  # check that convert command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" convert -f hack/testdata/deployment-revision1.yaml --output-version=apps/v1beta1 --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'nginx:'
+
+  # check that run command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" run --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:" pi --image=perl --restart=OnFailure -- perl -Mbignum=bpi -wle 'print bpi(2000)')
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'pi:'
+
+  # check that taint command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" taint node 127.0.0.1 dedicated=foo:PreferNoSchedule --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" '127.0.0.1:'
+  # untaint node
+  kubectl taint node 127.0.0.1 dedicated-
+
+  # check that "apply set-last-applied" command supports --template output
+  kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create -f test/e2e/testing-manifests/statefulset/cassandra/controller.yaml
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" apply set-last-applied -f test/e2e/testing-manifests/statefulset/cassandra/controller.yaml --dry-run --create-annotation --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'cassandra:'
+
+  # check that "auth reconcile" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" auth reconcile --dry-run -f test/fixtures/pkg/kubectl/cmd/auth/rbac-resource-plus.yaml --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'testing-CR:testing-CRB:testing-RB:testing-R:'
+
+  # check that "config view" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" config view --output=go-template="{{ .kind }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'Config'
+
+  # check that "create clusterrole" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create clusterrole --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:" --verb get myclusterrole  --non-resource-url /logs/ --resource pods)
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'myclusterrole:'
+
+  # check that "create clusterrolebinding" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create clusterrolebinding foo --clusterrole=myclusterrole --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'foo:'
+
+  # check that "create configmap" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create configmap cm --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'cm:'
+
+  # check that "create deployment" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create deployment deploy --dry-run --image=nginx --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'deploy:'
+
+  # check that "create job" command supports --template output
+  kubectl create "${kube_flags[@]}" -f - <<EOF
+apiVersion: batch/v1beta1
+kind: CronJob
+metadata:
+  name: pi
+spec:
+  schedule: "*/10 * * * *"
+  jobTemplate:
+    spec:
+      template:
+        metadata:
+          labels:
+            parent: "pi"
+        spec:
+          containers:
+          - name: pi
+            image: perl
+            command: ["perl",  "-Mbignum=bpi", "-wle", "print bpi(2000)"]
+          restartPolicy: OnFailure
+EOF
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create job foo --from=cronjob/pi --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'foo:'
+
+  # check that "create namespace" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create ns bar --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'bar:'
+
+  # check that "create namespace" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create rolebinding foo --clusterrole=myclusterrole --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'foo:'
+
+  # check that "create role" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create role --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:" --verb get myrole --resource pods)
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'myrole:'
+
+  # check that "create quota" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create quota foo --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'foo:'
+
+  # check that "create priorityclass" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create priorityclass foo --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'foo:'
+
+  # check that "create poddisruptionbudget" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create poddisruptionbudget foo --dry-run --selector=foo --min-available=1 --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'foo:'
+
+  # check that "create serviceaccount" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create serviceaccount foo --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'foo:'
+
+  # check that "set env" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" set env pod/valid-pod --dry-run A=B --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'valid-pod:'
+
+  # check that "set image" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" set image pod/valid-pod --dry-run kubernetes-serve-hostname=nginx --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'valid-pod:'
+
+  # check that "set resources" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" set resources pod/valid-pod --limits=memory=256Mi --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'valid-pod:'
+
+  # check that "set selector" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" set selector -f hack/testdata/kubernetes-service.yaml A=B --local --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'kubernetes:'
+
+  # check that "set serviceaccount" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" set serviceaccount pod/valid-pod deployer --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'valid-pod:'
+
+  # check that "set subject" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" set subject clusterrolebinding/foo --user=foo --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'foo:'
+
+  # check that "create secret docker-registry" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create secret docker-registry foo --docker-username user --docker-password pass --docker-email foo@bar.baz --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'foo:'
+
+  # check that "create secret generic" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create secret generic foo --from-literal=key1=value1 --dry-run --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'foo:'
+
+  # check that "create secret tls" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create secret tls --dry-run foo --key=hack/testdata/tls.key --cert=hack/testdata/tls.crt --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'foo:'
+
+  # check that "create service clusterip" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create service clusterip foo --dry-run --tcp=8080 --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'foo:'
+
+  # check that "create service externalname" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create service externalname foo --dry-run --external-name=bar --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'foo:'
+
+  # check that "create service loadbalancer" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create service loadbalancer foo --dry-run --tcp=8080 --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'foo:'
+
+  # check that "create service nodeport" command supports --template output
+  output_message=$(kubectl "${kube_flags[@]}" create service nodeport foo --dry-run --tcp=8080 --template="{{ .metadata.name }}:")
+  kube::test::if_has_string "${output_message}" 'foo:'
+
+  # cleanup
+  kubectl delete cronjob pi "${kube_flags[@]}"
+  kubectl delete pods --all "${kube_flags[@]}"
+  kubectl delete rc cassandra "${kube_flags[@]}"
+  kubectl delete clusterrole myclusterrole "${kube_flags[@]}"
+  kubectl delete clusterrolebinding foo "${kube_flags[@]}"
+
+  set +o nounset
+  set +o errexit
+}
+
 run_crd_tests() {
   set -o nounset
   set -o errexit
@@ -5398,6 +5600,14 @@ runTests() {
     fi
   fi
 
+  ######################
+  # kubectl --template #
+  ######################
+
+  if kube::test::if_supports_resource "${pods}" ; then
+    record_command run_template_output_tests
+  fi
+
   ################
   # Certificates #
   ################
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/cmd_printing_test.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/cmd_printing_test.go
index 23930e52f5..49676d480d 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/cmd_printing_test.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/cmd_printing_test.go
@@ -122,12 +122,12 @@ func TestIllegalPackageSourceCheckerThroughPrintFlags(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestIllegalPackageSourceCheckerDirectlyThroughPrinters(t *testing.T) {
-	jsonPathPrinter, err := printers.NewJSONPathPrinter("{ .metadata.name }")
+	jsonPathPrinter, err := genericprinters.NewJSONPathPrinter("{ .metadata.name }")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	goTemplatePrinter, err := printers.NewGoTemplatePrinter([]byte("{{ .metadata.name }}"))
+	goTemplatePrinter, err := genericprinters.NewGoTemplatePrinter([]byte("{{ .metadata.name }}"))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ func TestIllegalPackageSourceCheckerDirectlyThroughPrinters(t *testing.T) {
 	testCases := []struct {
 		name                 string
 		expectInternalObjErr bool
-		printer              printers.ResourcePrinter
+		printer              genericprinters.ResourcePrinter
 		obj                  runtime.Object
 		expectedOutput       string
 	}{
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/config/BUILD b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/config/BUILD
index bc043cb7e6..d4cde7a0f0 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/config/BUILD
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/config/BUILD
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ go_library(
         "current_context.go",
         "delete_cluster.go",
         "delete_context.go",
-        "flags.go",
         "get_clusters.go",
         "get_contexts.go",
         "navigation_step_parser.go",
@@ -33,10 +32,8 @@ go_library(
         "//pkg/kubectl/cmd/templates:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/kubectl/cmd/util:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions:go_default_library",
-        "//pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/kubectl/util/i18n:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/printers:go_default_library",
-        "//staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime:go_default_library",
         "//staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/errors:go_default_library",
         "//staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/sets:go_default_library",
         "//staging/src/k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/flag:go_default_library",
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/config/flags.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/config/flags.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 5e2f3ed806..0000000000
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/config/flags.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,101 +0,0 @@
-/*
-Copyright 2018 The Kubernetes Authors.
-
-Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-You may obtain a copy of the License at
-
-    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-
-Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-limitations under the License.
-*/
-
-package config
-
-import (
-	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
-
-	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions"
-	genericprinters "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/printers"
-)
-
-// kubectlConfigPrintFlags composes common printer flag structs
-// used across all config commands, and provides a method
-// of retrieving a known printer based on flag values provided.
-type kubectlConfigPrintFlags struct {
-	JSONYamlPrintFlags *genericclioptions.JSONYamlPrintFlags
-	NamePrintFlags     *genericclioptions.NamePrintFlags
-	TemplateFlags      *printers.KubeTemplatePrintFlags
-
-	TypeSetter *genericprinters.TypeSetterPrinter
-
-	OutputFormat *string
-}
-
-func (f *kubectlConfigPrintFlags) Complete(successTemplate string) error {
-	return f.NamePrintFlags.Complete(successTemplate)
-}
-
-func (f *kubectlConfigPrintFlags) AllowedFormats() []string {
-	formats := f.JSONYamlPrintFlags.AllowedFormats()
-	formats = append(formats, f.NamePrintFlags.AllowedFormats()...)
-	formats = append(formats, f.TemplateFlags.AllowedFormats()...)
-	return formats
-}
-
-func (f *kubectlConfigPrintFlags) ToPrinter() (printers.ResourcePrinter, error) {
-	outputFormat := ""
-	if f.OutputFormat != nil {
-		outputFormat = *f.OutputFormat
-	}
-
-	if p, err := f.JSONYamlPrintFlags.ToPrinter(outputFormat); !genericclioptions.IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
-		return f.TypeSetter.WrapToPrinter(p, err)
-	}
-
-	if p, err := f.NamePrintFlags.ToPrinter(outputFormat); !genericclioptions.IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
-		return f.TypeSetter.WrapToPrinter(p, err)
-	}
-
-	if p, err := f.TemplateFlags.ToPrinter(outputFormat); !genericclioptions.IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
-		return f.TypeSetter.WrapToPrinter(p, err)
-	}
-
-	return nil, genericclioptions.NoCompatiblePrinterError{OutputFormat: &outputFormat, AllowedFormats: f.AllowedFormats()}
-}
-
-func (f *kubectlConfigPrintFlags) AddFlags(cmd *cobra.Command) {
-	f.JSONYamlPrintFlags.AddFlags(cmd)
-	f.NamePrintFlags.AddFlags(cmd)
-	f.TemplateFlags.AddFlags(cmd)
-
-	if f.OutputFormat != nil {
-		cmd.Flags().StringVarP(f.OutputFormat, "output", "o", *f.OutputFormat, "Output format. One of: json|yaml|name|go-template=...|go-template-file=...|jsonpath=...|jsonpath-file=... See custom columns [http://kubernetes.io/docs/user-guide/kubectl-overview/#custom-columns], golang template [http://golang.org/pkg/text/template/#pkg-overview] and jsonpath template [http://kubernetes.io/docs/user-guide/jsonpath].")
-	}
-}
-
-// WithDefaultOutput sets a default output format if one is not provided through a flag value
-func (f *kubectlConfigPrintFlags) WithDefaultOutput(output string) *kubectlConfigPrintFlags {
-	f.OutputFormat = &output
-	return f
-}
-
-func newKubeConfigPrintFlags(scheme runtime.ObjectTyper) *kubectlConfigPrintFlags {
-	outputFormat := ""
-
-	return &kubectlConfigPrintFlags{
-		OutputFormat: &outputFormat,
-
-		JSONYamlPrintFlags: genericclioptions.NewJSONYamlPrintFlags(),
-		NamePrintFlags:     genericclioptions.NewNamePrintFlags(""),
-		TemplateFlags:      printers.NewKubeTemplatePrintFlags(),
-
-		TypeSetter: genericprinters.NewTypeSetter(scheme),
-	}
-}
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/config/view.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/config/view.go
index eb82a7731a..476aab3402 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/config/view.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/config/view.go
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 type ViewOptions struct {
-	PrintFlags  *kubectlConfigPrintFlags
+	PrintFlags  *genericclioptions.PrintFlags
 	PrintObject printers.ResourcePrinterFunc
 
 	ConfigAccess clientcmd.ConfigAccess
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ var (
 
 func NewCmdConfigView(f cmdutil.Factory, streams genericclioptions.IOStreams, ConfigAccess clientcmd.ConfigAccess) *cobra.Command {
 	o := &ViewOptions{
-		PrintFlags:   newKubeConfigPrintFlags(legacyscheme.Scheme).WithDefaultOutput("yaml"),
+		PrintFlags:   genericclioptions.NewPrintFlags("").WithTypeSetter(legacyscheme.Scheme).WithDefaultOutput("yaml"),
 		ConfigAccess: ConfigAccess,
 
 		IOStreams: streams,
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/BUILD b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/BUILD
index ed89ca3f4e..fedfef695f 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/BUILD
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/BUILD
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ go_library(
         "create_secret.go",
         "create_service.go",
         "create_serviceaccount.go",
-        "flags.go",
     ],
     importpath = "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create",
     visibility = ["//build/visible_to:pkg_kubectl_cmd_create_CONSUMERS"],
@@ -29,7 +28,6 @@ go_library(
         "//pkg/kubectl/cmd/util:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/kubectl/cmd/util/editor:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions:go_default_library",
-        "//pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/resource:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/kubectl/scheme:go_default_library",
         "//pkg/kubectl/util/i18n:go_default_library",
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create.go
index 556e6d15af..a6bb8b03b8 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create.go
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 type CreateOptions struct {
-	PrintFlags  *PrintFlags
+	PrintFlags  *genericclioptions.PrintFlags
 	RecordFlags *genericclioptions.RecordFlags
 
 	DryRun bool
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ var (
 
 func NewCreateOptions(ioStreams genericclioptions.IOStreams) *CreateOptions {
 	return &CreateOptions{
-		PrintFlags:  NewPrintFlags("created", legacyscheme.Scheme),
+		PrintFlags:  genericclioptions.NewPrintFlags("created").WithTypeSetter(legacyscheme.Scheme),
 		RecordFlags: genericclioptions.NewRecordFlags(),
 
 		Recorder: genericclioptions.NoopRecorder{},
@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ func NameFromCommandArgs(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) (string, error) {
 // CreateSubcommandOptions is an options struct to support create subcommands
 type CreateSubcommandOptions struct {
 	// PrintFlags holds options necessary for obtaining a printer
-	PrintFlags *PrintFlags
+	PrintFlags *genericclioptions.PrintFlags
 	// Name of resource being created
 	Name string
 	// StructuredGenerator is the resource generator for the object being created
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ type CreateSubcommandOptions struct {
 
 func NewCreateSubcommandOptions(ioStreams genericclioptions.IOStreams) *CreateSubcommandOptions {
 	return &CreateSubcommandOptions{
-		PrintFlags: NewPrintFlags("created", legacyscheme.Scheme),
+		PrintFlags: genericclioptions.NewPrintFlags("created").WithTypeSetter(legacyscheme.Scheme),
 		IOStreams:  ioStreams,
 	}
 }
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_deployment_test.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_deployment_test.go
index bd42fcfedd..1df3066eb6 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_deployment_test.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_deployment_test.go
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ func TestCreateDeploymentNoImage(t *testing.T) {
 	cmd.Flags().Set("output", "name")
 	options := &DeploymentOpts{
 		CreateSubcommandOptions: &CreateSubcommandOptions{
-			PrintFlags: NewPrintFlags("created", legacyscheme.Scheme),
+			PrintFlags: genericclioptions.NewPrintFlags("created").WithTypeSetter(legacyscheme.Scheme),
 			DryRun:     true,
 			IOStreams:  ioStreams,
 		},
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_job.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_job.go
index d4f024e470..1e92754def 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_job.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_job.go
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ var (
 )
 
 type CreateJobOptions struct {
-	PrintFlags *PrintFlags
+	PrintFlags *genericclioptions.PrintFlags
 
 	PrintObj func(obj runtime.Object) error
 
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ type CreateJobOptions struct {
 
 func NewCreateJobOptions(ioStreams genericclioptions.IOStreams) *CreateJobOptions {
 	return &CreateJobOptions{
-		PrintFlags: NewPrintFlags("created", legacyscheme.Scheme),
+		PrintFlags: genericclioptions.NewPrintFlags("created").WithTypeSetter(legacyscheme.Scheme),
 		IOStreams:  ioStreams,
 	}
 }
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_job_test.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_job_test.go
index d21249495f..7fa4b9e78c 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_job_test.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_job_test.go
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ func TestCreateJobFromCronJob(t *testing.T) {
 	f := cmdtesting.NewTestFactory()
 	defer f.Cleanup()
 
-	printFlags := NewPrintFlags("created", legacyscheme.Scheme)
+	printFlags := genericclioptions.NewPrintFlags("created").WithTypeSetter(legacyscheme.Scheme)
 
 	ioStreams, _, buf, _ := genericclioptions.NewTestIOStreams()
 	cmdOptions := &CreateJobOptions{
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_pdb_test.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_pdb_test.go
index 01d6ee99e8..42e7652c03 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_pdb_test.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_pdb_test.go
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ func TestCreatePdb(t *testing.T) {
 	cmd.Flags().Set("dry-run", "true")
 	cmd.Flags().Set("output", outputFormat)
 
-	printFlags := NewPrintFlags("created", legacyscheme.Scheme)
+	printFlags := genericclioptions.NewPrintFlags("created").WithTypeSetter(legacyscheme.Scheme)
 	printFlags.OutputFormat = &outputFormat
 
 	options := &PodDisruptionBudgetOpts{
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_priorityclass_test.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_priorityclass_test.go
index 2f775be638..b25aaa7a22 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_priorityclass_test.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_priorityclass_test.go
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ func TestCreatePriorityClass(t *testing.T) {
 	cmd.Flags().Set("dry-run", "true")
 	cmd.Flags().Set("output", outputFormat)
 
-	printFlags := NewPrintFlags("created", legacyscheme.Scheme)
+	printFlags := genericclioptions.NewPrintFlags("created").WithTypeSetter(legacyscheme.Scheme)
 	printFlags.OutputFormat = &outputFormat
 
 	options := &PriorityClassOpts{
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_role.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_role.go
index c9ecd1cb23..1d9a481e7e 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_role.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_role.go
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ type ResourceOptions struct {
 }
 
 type CreateRoleOptions struct {
-	PrintFlags *PrintFlags
+	PrintFlags *genericclioptions.PrintFlags
 
 	Name          string
 	Verbs         []string
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ type CreateRoleOptions struct {
 
 func NewCreateRoleOptions(ioStreams genericclioptions.IOStreams) *CreateRoleOptions {
 	return &CreateRoleOptions{
-		PrintFlags: NewPrintFlags("created", legacyscheme.Scheme),
+		PrintFlags: genericclioptions.NewPrintFlags("created").WithTypeSetter(legacyscheme.Scheme),
 
 		IOStreams: ioStreams,
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_role_test.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_role_test.go
index 4551bea854..506e30333d 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_role_test.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/create_role_test.go
@@ -372,14 +372,14 @@ func TestComplete(t *testing.T) {
 		"test-missing-name": {
 			params: []string{},
 			roleOptions: &CreateRoleOptions{
-				PrintFlags: NewPrintFlags("created", legacyscheme.Scheme),
+				PrintFlags: genericclioptions.NewPrintFlags("created").WithTypeSetter(legacyscheme.Scheme),
 			},
 			expectErr: true,
 		},
 		"test-duplicate-verbs": {
 			params: []string{roleName},
 			roleOptions: &CreateRoleOptions{
-				PrintFlags: NewPrintFlags("created", legacyscheme.Scheme),
+				PrintFlags: genericclioptions.NewPrintFlags("created").WithTypeSetter(legacyscheme.Scheme),
 				Name:       roleName,
 				Verbs: []string{
 					"get",
@@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ func TestComplete(t *testing.T) {
 		"test-verball": {
 			params: []string{roleName},
 			roleOptions: &CreateRoleOptions{
-				PrintFlags: NewPrintFlags("created", legacyscheme.Scheme),
+				PrintFlags: genericclioptions.NewPrintFlags("created").WithTypeSetter(legacyscheme.Scheme),
 				Name:       roleName,
 				Verbs: []string{
 					"get",
@@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ func TestComplete(t *testing.T) {
 		"test-duplicate-resourcenames": {
 			params: []string{roleName},
 			roleOptions: &CreateRoleOptions{
-				PrintFlags:    NewPrintFlags("created", legacyscheme.Scheme),
+				PrintFlags:    genericclioptions.NewPrintFlags("created").WithTypeSetter(legacyscheme.Scheme),
 				Name:          roleName,
 				Verbs:         []string{"*"},
 				ResourceNames: []string{"foo", "foo"},
@@ -466,7 +466,7 @@ func TestComplete(t *testing.T) {
 		"test-valid-complete-case": {
 			params: []string{roleName},
 			roleOptions: &CreateRoleOptions{
-				PrintFlags:    NewPrintFlags("created", legacyscheme.Scheme),
+				PrintFlags:    genericclioptions.NewPrintFlags("created").WithTypeSetter(legacyscheme.Scheme),
 				Name:          roleName,
 				Verbs:         []string{"*"},
 				ResourceNames: []string{"foo"},
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/flags.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/flags.go
deleted file mode 100644
index e1bf63cf46..0000000000
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/create/flags.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,93 +0,0 @@
-/*
-Copyright 2018 The Kubernetes Authors.
-
-Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-You may obtain a copy of the License at
-
-    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-
-Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-limitations under the License.
-*/
-
-package create
-
-import (
-	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions"
-
-	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime"
-	genericprinters "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/printers"
-)
-
-// PrintFlags composes common printer flag structs
-// used across all create commands, and provides a method
-// of retrieving a known printer based on flag values provided.
-type PrintFlags struct {
-	JSONYamlPrintFlags *genericclioptions.JSONYamlPrintFlags
-	NamePrintFlags     *genericclioptions.NamePrintFlags
-	TemplateFlags      *printers.KubeTemplatePrintFlags
-
-	TypeSetter *genericprinters.TypeSetterPrinter
-
-	OutputFormat *string
-}
-
-func (f *PrintFlags) AllowedFormats() []string {
-	return append(append(f.JSONYamlPrintFlags.AllowedFormats(), f.NamePrintFlags.AllowedFormats()...),
-		f.TemplateFlags.AllowedFormats()...)
-}
-
-func (f *PrintFlags) Complete(successTemplate string) error {
-	return f.NamePrintFlags.Complete(successTemplate)
-}
-
-func (f *PrintFlags) ToPrinter() (printers.ResourcePrinter, error) {
-	outputFormat := ""
-	if f.OutputFormat != nil {
-		outputFormat = *f.OutputFormat
-	}
-
-	if p, err := f.JSONYamlPrintFlags.ToPrinter(outputFormat); !genericclioptions.IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
-		return f.TypeSetter.WrapToPrinter(p, err)
-	}
-
-	if p, err := f.NamePrintFlags.ToPrinter(outputFormat); !genericclioptions.IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
-		return f.TypeSetter.WrapToPrinter(p, err)
-	}
-
-	if p, err := f.TemplateFlags.ToPrinter(outputFormat); !genericclioptions.IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
-		return f.TypeSetter.WrapToPrinter(p, err)
-	}
-
-	return nil, genericclioptions.NoCompatiblePrinterError{OutputFormat: &outputFormat, AllowedFormats: f.AllowedFormats()}
-}
-
-func (f *PrintFlags) AddFlags(cmd *cobra.Command) {
-	f.JSONYamlPrintFlags.AddFlags(cmd)
-	f.NamePrintFlags.AddFlags(cmd)
-	f.TemplateFlags.AddFlags(cmd)
-
-	if f.OutputFormat != nil {
-		cmd.Flags().StringVarP(f.OutputFormat, "output", "o", *f.OutputFormat, "Output format. One of: json|yaml|wide|name|custom-columns=...|custom-columns-file=...|go-template=...|go-template-file=...|jsonpath=...|jsonpath-file=... See custom columns [http://kubernetes.io/docs/user-guide/kubectl-overview/#custom-columns], golang template [http://golang.org/pkg/text/template/#pkg-overview] and jsonpath template [http://kubernetes.io/docs/user-guide/jsonpath].")
-	}
-}
-
-func NewPrintFlags(operation string, scheme runtime.ObjectTyper) *PrintFlags {
-	outputFormat := ""
-
-	return &PrintFlags{
-		OutputFormat: &outputFormat,
-
-		JSONYamlPrintFlags: genericclioptions.NewJSONYamlPrintFlags(),
-		NamePrintFlags:     genericclioptions.NewNamePrintFlags(operation),
-		TemplateFlags:      printers.NewKubeTemplatePrintFlags(),
-
-		TypeSetter: genericprinters.NewTypeSetter(scheme),
-	}
-}
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/get/get_flags.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/get/get_flags.go
index 6905f0ff4f..bc05ac05c7 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/get/get_flags.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/get/get_flags.go
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ type PrintFlags struct {
 	NamePrintFlags     *genericclioptions.NamePrintFlags
 	CustomColumnsFlags *printers.CustomColumnsPrintFlags
 	HumanReadableFlags *HumanPrintFlags
-	TemplateFlags      *printers.KubeTemplatePrintFlags
+	TemplateFlags      *genericclioptions.KubeTemplatePrintFlags
 
 	NoHeaders    *bool
 	OutputFormat *string
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ func NewGetPrintFlags() *PrintFlags {
 
 		JSONYamlPrintFlags: genericclioptions.NewJSONYamlPrintFlags(),
 		NamePrintFlags:     genericclioptions.NewNamePrintFlags(""),
-		TemplateFlags:      printers.NewKubeTemplatePrintFlags(),
+		TemplateFlags:      genericclioptions.NewKubeTemplatePrintFlags(),
 
 		HumanReadableFlags: NewHumanPrintFlags(),
 		CustomColumnsFlags: printers.NewCustomColumnsPrintFlags(),
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/replace.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/replace.go
index 7c94ddf497..d44f7625c5 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/replace.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/replace.go
@@ -89,15 +89,8 @@ type ReplaceOptions struct {
 }
 
 func NewReplaceOptions(streams genericclioptions.IOStreams) *ReplaceOptions {
-	outputFormat := ""
-
 	return &ReplaceOptions{
-		// TODO(juanvallejo): figure out why we only support the "name" outputFormat in this command
-		// we only support "-o name" for this command, so only register the name printer
-		PrintFlags: &genericclioptions.PrintFlags{
-			OutputFormat:   &outputFormat,
-			NamePrintFlags: genericclioptions.NewNamePrintFlags("replaced"),
-		},
+		PrintFlags:  genericclioptions.NewPrintFlags("replaced"),
 		DeleteFlags: NewDeleteFlags("to use to replace the resource."),
 
 		IOStreams: streams,
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/scale.go b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/scale.go
index 1f8c4f2577..a883456dd2 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/cmd/scale.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/cmd/scale.go
@@ -93,15 +93,8 @@ type ScaleOptions struct {
 }
 
 func NewScaleOptions(ioStreams genericclioptions.IOStreams) *ScaleOptions {
-	outputFormat := ""
-
 	return &ScaleOptions{
-		// TODO(juanvallejo): figure out why we only support the "name" outputFormat in this command
-		// we only support "-o name" for this command, so only register the name printer
-		PrintFlags: &genericclioptions.PrintFlags{
-			OutputFormat:   &outputFormat,
-			NamePrintFlags: genericclioptions.NewNamePrintFlags("scaled"),
-		},
+		PrintFlags:      genericclioptions.NewPrintFlags("scaled"),
 		RecordFlags:     genericclioptions.NewRecordFlags(),
 		CurrentReplicas: -1,
 		Recorder:        genericclioptions.NoopRecorder{},
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/BUILD b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/BUILD
index 3e65891717..ae8e7e6fa6 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/BUILD
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/BUILD
@@ -11,9 +11,12 @@ go_library(
         "filename_flags.go",
         "io_options.go",
         "json_yaml_flags.go",
+        "jsonpath_flags.go",
+        "kube_template_flags.go",
         "name_flags.go",
         "print_flags.go",
         "record_flags.go",
+        "template_flags.go",
     ],
     importpath = "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions",
     visibility = ["//visibility:public"],
@@ -57,7 +60,9 @@ go_test(
     name = "go_default_test",
     srcs = [
         "json_yaml_flags_test.go",
+        "jsonpath_flags_test.go",
         "name_flags_test.go",
+        "template_flags_test.go",
     ],
     embed = [":go_default_library"],
     deps = [
diff --git a/pkg/printers/jsonpath_flags.go b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/jsonpath_flags.go
similarity index 89%
rename from pkg/printers/jsonpath_flags.go
rename to pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/jsonpath_flags.go
index d95f737620..c495fcd8b8 100644
--- a/pkg/printers/jsonpath_flags.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/jsonpath_flags.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 limitations under the License.
 */
 
-package printers
+package genericclioptions
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions"
+	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers"
 )
 
 // templates are logically optional for specifying a format.
@@ -55,9 +55,9 @@ func (f *JSONPathPrintFlags) AllowedFormats() []string {
 // ToPrinter receives an templateFormat and returns a printer capable of
 // handling --template format printing.
 // Returns false if the specified templateFormat does not match a template format.
-func (f *JSONPathPrintFlags) ToPrinter(templateFormat string) (ResourcePrinter, error) {
+func (f *JSONPathPrintFlags) ToPrinter(templateFormat string) (printers.ResourcePrinter, error) {
 	if (f.TemplateArgument == nil || len(*f.TemplateArgument) == 0) && len(templateFormat) == 0 {
-		return nil, genericclioptions.NoCompatiblePrinterError{Options: f, OutputFormat: &templateFormat}
+		return nil, NoCompatiblePrinterError{Options: f, OutputFormat: &templateFormat}
 	}
 
 	templateValue := ""
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ func (f *JSONPathPrintFlags) ToPrinter(templateFormat string) (ResourcePrinter,
 	}
 
 	if _, supportedFormat := jsonFormats[templateFormat]; !supportedFormat {
-		return nil, genericclioptions.NoCompatiblePrinterError{OutputFormat: &templateFormat, AllowedFormats: f.AllowedFormats()}
+		return nil, NoCompatiblePrinterError{OutputFormat: &templateFormat, AllowedFormats: f.AllowedFormats()}
 	}
 
 	if len(templateValue) == 0 {
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ func (f *JSONPathPrintFlags) ToPrinter(templateFormat string) (ResourcePrinter,
 		templateValue = string(data)
 	}
 
-	p, err := NewJSONPathPrinter(templateValue)
+	p, err := printers.NewJSONPathPrinter(templateValue)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error parsing jsonpath %s, %v\n", templateValue, err)
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/printers/jsonpath_flags_test.go b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/jsonpath_flags_test.go
similarity index 96%
rename from pkg/printers/jsonpath_flags_test.go
rename to pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/jsonpath_flags_test.go
index 2f5b6c4c7c..bf0c087bc1 100644
--- a/pkg/printers/jsonpath_flags_test.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/jsonpath_flags_test.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 limitations under the License.
 */
 
-package printers
+package genericclioptions
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ import (
 
 	"k8s.io/api/core/v1"
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions"
 )
 
 func TestPrinterSupportsExpectedJSONPathFormats(t *testing.T) {
@@ -105,12 +104,12 @@ func TestPrinterSupportsExpectedJSONPathFormats(t *testing.T) {
 
 			p, err := printFlags.ToPrinter(tc.outputFormat)
 			if tc.expectNoMatch {
-				if !genericclioptions.IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
+				if !IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
 					t.Fatalf("expected no printer matches for output format %q", tc.outputFormat)
 				}
 				return
 			}
-			if genericclioptions.IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
+			if IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
 				t.Fatalf("expected to match template printer for output format %q", tc.outputFormat)
 			}
 
@@ -184,7 +183,7 @@ func TestJSONPathPrinterDefaultsAllowMissingKeysToTrue(t *testing.T) {
 
 			outputFormat := "jsonpath"
 			p, err := printFlags.ToPrinter(outputFormat)
-			if genericclioptions.IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
+			if IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
 				t.Fatalf("expected to match template printer for output format %q", outputFormat)
 			}
 			if err != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/printers/kube_template_flags.go b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/kube_template_flags.go
similarity index 85%
rename from pkg/printers/kube_template_flags.go
rename to pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/kube_template_flags.go
index 8b53e60cdc..56140c3c36 100644
--- a/pkg/printers/kube_template_flags.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/kube_template_flags.go
@@ -14,31 +14,38 @@ See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 limitations under the License.
 */
 
-package printers
+package genericclioptions
 
 import (
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions"
+	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers"
 )
 
 // KubeTemplatePrintFlags composes print flags that provide both a JSONPath and a go-template printer.
 // This is necessary if dealing with cases that require support both both printers, since both sets of flags
 // require overlapping flags.
 type KubeTemplatePrintFlags struct {
-	*GoTemplatePrintFlags
-	*JSONPathPrintFlags
+	GoTemplatePrintFlags *GoTemplatePrintFlags
+	JSONPathPrintFlags   *JSONPathPrintFlags
 
 	AllowMissingKeys *bool
 	TemplateArgument *string
 }
 
 func (f *KubeTemplatePrintFlags) AllowedFormats() []string {
+	if f == nil {
+		return []string{}
+	}
 	return append(f.GoTemplatePrintFlags.AllowedFormats(), f.JSONPathPrintFlags.AllowedFormats()...)
 }
 
-func (f *KubeTemplatePrintFlags) ToPrinter(outputFormat string) (ResourcePrinter, error) {
-	if p, err := f.JSONPathPrintFlags.ToPrinter(outputFormat); !genericclioptions.IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
+func (f *KubeTemplatePrintFlags) ToPrinter(outputFormat string) (printers.ResourcePrinter, error) {
+	if f == nil {
+		return nil, NoCompatiblePrinterError{}
+	}
+
+	if p, err := f.JSONPathPrintFlags.ToPrinter(outputFormat); !IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
 		return p, err
 	}
 	return f.GoTemplatePrintFlags.ToPrinter(outputFormat)
@@ -47,6 +54,10 @@ func (f *KubeTemplatePrintFlags) ToPrinter(outputFormat string) (ResourcePrinter
 // AddFlags receives a *cobra.Command reference and binds
 // flags related to template printing to it
 func (f *KubeTemplatePrintFlags) AddFlags(c *cobra.Command) {
+	if f == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
 	if f.TemplateArgument != nil {
 		c.Flags().StringVar(f.TemplateArgument, "template", *f.TemplateArgument, "Template string or path to template file to use when -o=go-template, -o=go-template-file. The template format is golang templates [http://golang.org/pkg/text/template/#pkg-overview].")
 		c.MarkFlagFilename("template")
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/print_flags.go b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/print_flags.go
index 44b76c313c..8ed6e22efe 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/print_flags.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/print_flags.go
@@ -55,8 +55,9 @@ func IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err error) bool {
 // used across all commands, and provides a method
 // of retrieving a known printer based on flag values provided.
 type PrintFlags struct {
-	JSONYamlPrintFlags *JSONYamlPrintFlags
-	NamePrintFlags     *NamePrintFlags
+	JSONYamlPrintFlags   *JSONYamlPrintFlags
+	NamePrintFlags       *NamePrintFlags
+	TemplatePrinterFlags *KubeTemplatePrintFlags
 
 	TypeSetterPrinter *printers.TypeSetterPrinter
 
@@ -68,7 +69,11 @@ func (f *PrintFlags) Complete(successTemplate string) error {
 }
 
 func (f *PrintFlags) AllowedFormats() []string {
-	return append(f.JSONYamlPrintFlags.AllowedFormats(), f.NamePrintFlags.AllowedFormats()...)
+	ret := []string{}
+	ret = append(ret, f.JSONYamlPrintFlags.AllowedFormats()...)
+	ret = append(ret, f.NamePrintFlags.AllowedFormats()...)
+	ret = append(ret, f.TemplatePrinterFlags.AllowedFormats()...)
+	return ret
 }
 
 func (f *PrintFlags) ToPrinter() (printers.ResourcePrinter, error) {
@@ -76,6 +81,10 @@ func (f *PrintFlags) ToPrinter() (printers.ResourcePrinter, error) {
 	if f.OutputFormat != nil {
 		outputFormat = *f.OutputFormat
 	}
+	// for backwards compatibility we want to support a --template argument given, even when no --output format is provided
+	if f.TemplatePrinterFlags != nil && f.TemplatePrinterFlags.TemplateArgument != nil && len(*f.TemplatePrinterFlags.TemplateArgument) > 0 && len(outputFormat) == 0 {
+		outputFormat = "go-template"
+	}
 
 	if f.JSONYamlPrintFlags != nil {
 		if p, err := f.JSONYamlPrintFlags.ToPrinter(outputFormat); !IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
@@ -89,12 +98,19 @@ func (f *PrintFlags) ToPrinter() (printers.ResourcePrinter, error) {
 		}
 	}
 
+	if f.TemplatePrinterFlags != nil {
+		if p, err := f.TemplatePrinterFlags.ToPrinter(outputFormat); !IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
+			return f.TypeSetterPrinter.WrapToPrinter(p, err)
+		}
+	}
+
 	return nil, NoCompatiblePrinterError{OutputFormat: f.OutputFormat, AllowedFormats: f.AllowedFormats()}
 }
 
 func (f *PrintFlags) AddFlags(cmd *cobra.Command) {
 	f.JSONYamlPrintFlags.AddFlags(cmd)
 	f.NamePrintFlags.AddFlags(cmd)
+	f.TemplatePrinterFlags.AddFlags(cmd)
 
 	if f.OutputFormat != nil {
 		cmd.Flags().StringVarP(f.OutputFormat, "output", "o", *f.OutputFormat, fmt.Sprintf("Output format. One of: %s.", strings.Join(f.AllowedFormats(), "|")))
@@ -119,7 +135,8 @@ func NewPrintFlags(operation string) *PrintFlags {
 	return &PrintFlags{
 		OutputFormat: &outputFormat,
 
-		JSONYamlPrintFlags: NewJSONYamlPrintFlags(),
-		NamePrintFlags:     NewNamePrintFlags(operation),
+		JSONYamlPrintFlags:   NewJSONYamlPrintFlags(),
+		NamePrintFlags:       NewNamePrintFlags(operation),
+		TemplatePrinterFlags: NewKubeTemplatePrintFlags(),
 	}
 }
diff --git a/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers/BUILD b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers/BUILD
index 681bef193c..7893ac02b3 100644
--- a/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers/BUILD
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers/BUILD
@@ -6,8 +6,10 @@ go_library(
         "discard.go",
         "interface.go",
         "json.go",
+        "jsonpath.go",
         "name.go",
         "sourcechecker.go",
+        "template.go",
         "typesetter.go",
     ],
     importpath = "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers",
@@ -17,14 +19,22 @@ go_library(
         "//staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1/unstructured:go_default_library",
         "//staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime:go_default_library",
         "//staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime/schema:go_default_library",
+        "//staging/src/k8s.io/client-go/util/jsonpath:go_default_library",
         "//vendor/github.com/ghodss/yaml:go_default_library",
     ],
 )
 
 go_test(
     name = "go_default_test",
-    srcs = ["sourcechecker_test.go"],
+    srcs = [
+        "sourcechecker_test.go",
+        "template_test.go",
+    ],
     embed = [":go_default_library"],
+    deps = [
+        "//staging/src/k8s.io/api/core/v1:go_default_library",
+        "//staging/src/k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime:go_default_library",
+    ],
 )
 
 filegroup(
diff --git a/pkg/printers/jsonpath.go b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers/jsonpath.go
similarity index 94%
rename from pkg/printers/jsonpath.go
rename to pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers/jsonpath.go
index 1e2e7b303c..0bdb3511f1 100644
--- a/pkg/printers/jsonpath.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers/jsonpath.go
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ import (
 
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime"
 	"k8s.io/client-go/util/jsonpath"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers"
 )
 
 // exists returns true if it would be possible to call the index function
@@ -118,8 +117,8 @@ func (j *JSONPathPrinter) PrintObj(obj runtime.Object, w io.Writer) error {
 	// we use reflect.Indirect here in order to obtain the actual value from a pointer.
 	// we need an actual value in order to retrieve the package path for an object.
 	// using reflect.Indirect indiscriminately is valid here, as all runtime.Objects are supposed to be pointers.
-	if printers.InternalObjectPreventer.IsForbidden(reflect.Indirect(reflect.ValueOf(obj)).Type().PkgPath()) {
-		return fmt.Errorf(printers.InternalObjectPrinterErr)
+	if InternalObjectPreventer.IsForbidden(reflect.Indirect(reflect.ValueOf(obj)).Type().PkgPath()) {
+		return fmt.Errorf(InternalObjectPrinterErr)
 	}
 
 	var queryObj interface{} = obj
diff --git a/pkg/printers/template.go b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers/template.go
similarity index 93%
rename from pkg/printers/template.go
rename to pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers/template.go
index 678b46e3ba..5dd807dad9 100644
--- a/pkg/printers/template.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers/template.go
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ import (
 	"text/template"
 
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers"
 )
 
 // GoTemplatePrinter is an implementation of ResourcePrinter which formats data with a Go Template.
@@ -61,8 +60,8 @@ func (p *GoTemplatePrinter) AllowMissingKeys(allow bool) {
 
 // PrintObj formats the obj with the Go Template.
 func (p *GoTemplatePrinter) PrintObj(obj runtime.Object, w io.Writer) error {
-	if printers.InternalObjectPreventer.IsForbidden(reflect.Indirect(reflect.ValueOf(obj)).Type().PkgPath()) {
-		return fmt.Errorf(printers.InternalObjectPrinterErr)
+	if InternalObjectPreventer.IsForbidden(reflect.Indirect(reflect.ValueOf(obj)).Type().PkgPath()) {
+		return fmt.Errorf(InternalObjectPrinterErr)
 	}
 
 	var data []byte
diff --git a/pkg/printers/template_test.go b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers/template_test.go
similarity index 100%
rename from pkg/printers/template_test.go
rename to pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers/template_test.go
diff --git a/pkg/printers/template_flags.go b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/template_flags.go
similarity index 91%
rename from pkg/printers/template_flags.go
rename to pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/template_flags.go
index ffd7a24dca..ac835a0643 100644
--- a/pkg/printers/template_flags.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/template_flags.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 limitations under the License.
 */
 
-package printers
+package genericclioptions
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions"
+	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/printers"
 )
 
 // templates are logically optional for specifying a format.
@@ -57,9 +57,9 @@ func (f *GoTemplatePrintFlags) AllowedFormats() []string {
 // ToPrinter receives an templateFormat and returns a printer capable of
 // handling --template format printing.
 // Returns false if the specified templateFormat does not match a template format.
-func (f *GoTemplatePrintFlags) ToPrinter(templateFormat string) (ResourcePrinter, error) {
+func (f *GoTemplatePrintFlags) ToPrinter(templateFormat string) (printers.ResourcePrinter, error) {
 	if (f.TemplateArgument == nil || len(*f.TemplateArgument) == 0) && len(templateFormat) == 0 {
-		return nil, genericclioptions.NoCompatiblePrinterError{Options: f, OutputFormat: &templateFormat}
+		return nil, NoCompatiblePrinterError{Options: f, OutputFormat: &templateFormat}
 	}
 
 	templateValue := ""
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ func (f *GoTemplatePrintFlags) ToPrinter(templateFormat string) (ResourcePrinter
 	}
 
 	if _, supportedFormat := templateFormats[templateFormat]; !supportedFormat {
-		return nil, genericclioptions.NoCompatiblePrinterError{OutputFormat: &templateFormat, AllowedFormats: f.AllowedFormats()}
+		return nil, NoCompatiblePrinterError{OutputFormat: &templateFormat, AllowedFormats: f.AllowedFormats()}
 	}
 
 	if len(templateValue) == 0 {
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ func (f *GoTemplatePrintFlags) ToPrinter(templateFormat string) (ResourcePrinter
 		templateValue = string(data)
 	}
 
-	p, err := NewGoTemplatePrinter([]byte(templateValue))
+	p, err := printers.NewGoTemplatePrinter([]byte(templateValue))
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error parsing template %s, %v\n", templateValue, err)
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/printers/template_flags_test.go b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/template_flags_test.go
similarity index 95%
rename from pkg/printers/template_flags_test.go
rename to pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/template_flags_test.go
index 3a2400ca87..e1f5ae60e5 100644
--- a/pkg/printers/template_flags_test.go
+++ b/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions/template_flags_test.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 limitations under the License.
 */
 
-package printers
+package genericclioptions
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ import (
 
 	"k8s.io/api/core/v1"
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubectl/genericclioptions"
 )
 
 func TestPrinterSupportsExpectedTemplateFormats(t *testing.T) {
@@ -105,12 +104,12 @@ func TestPrinterSupportsExpectedTemplateFormats(t *testing.T) {
 
 			p, err := printFlags.ToPrinter(tc.outputFormat)
 			if tc.expectNoMatch {
-				if !genericclioptions.IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
+				if !IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
 					t.Fatalf("expected no printer matches for output format %q", tc.outputFormat)
 				}
 				return
 			}
-			if genericclioptions.IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
+			if IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
 				t.Fatalf("expected to match template printer for output format %q", tc.outputFormat)
 			}
 
@@ -178,7 +177,7 @@ func TestTemplatePrinterDefaultsAllowMissingKeysToTrue(t *testing.T) {
 
 			outputFormat := "template"
 			p, err := printFlags.ToPrinter(outputFormat)
-			if genericclioptions.IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
+			if IsNoCompatiblePrinterError(err) {
 				t.Fatalf("expected to match template printer for output format %q", outputFormat)
 			}
 			if err != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/printers/BUILD b/pkg/printers/BUILD
index b9478446e8..8026a11b25 100644
--- a/pkg/printers/BUILD
+++ b/pkg/printers/BUILD
@@ -13,12 +13,7 @@ go_library(
         "customcolumn_flags.go",
         "humanreadable.go",
         "interface.go",
-        "jsonpath.go",
-        "jsonpath_flags.go",
-        "kube_template_flags.go",
         "tabwriter.go",
-        "template.go",
-        "template_flags.go",
     ],
     importpath = "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/printers",
     deps = [
@@ -61,9 +56,6 @@ go_test(
         "customcolumn_flags_test.go",
         "customcolumn_test.go",
         "humanreadable_test.go",
-        "jsonpath_flags_test.go",
-        "template_flags_test.go",
-        "template_test.go",
     ],
     embed = [":go_default_library"],
     deps = [
diff --git a/pkg/printers/internalversion/printers_test.go b/pkg/printers/internalversion/printers_test.go
index 82569ec1b2..318734d6c4 100644
--- a/pkg/printers/internalversion/printers_test.go
+++ b/pkg/printers/internalversion/printers_test.go
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ func TestUnknownTypePrinting(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestTemplatePanic(t *testing.T) {
 	tmpl := `{{and ((index .currentState.info "foo").state.running.startedAt) .currentState.info.net.state.running.startedAt}}`
-	printer, err := printers.NewGoTemplatePrinter([]byte(tmpl))
+	printer, err := genericprinters.NewGoTemplatePrinter([]byte(tmpl))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("tmpl fail: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -503,7 +503,7 @@ func TestTemplateStrings(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	// The point of this test is to verify that the below template works.
 	tmpl := `{{if (exists . "status" "containerStatuses")}}{{range .status.containerStatuses}}{{if (and (eq .name "foo") (exists . "state" "running"))}}true{{end}}{{end}}{{end}}`
-	printer, err := printers.NewGoTemplatePrinter([]byte(tmpl))
+	printer, err := genericprinters.NewGoTemplatePrinter([]byte(tmpl))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("tmpl fail: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -535,17 +535,17 @@ func TestPrinters(t *testing.T) {
 		jsonpathPrinter  printers.ResourcePrinter
 	)
 
-	templatePrinter, err = printers.NewGoTemplatePrinter([]byte("{{.name}}"))
+	templatePrinter, err = genericprinters.NewGoTemplatePrinter([]byte("{{.name}}"))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	templatePrinter2, err = printers.NewGoTemplatePrinter([]byte("{{len .items}}"))
+	templatePrinter2, err = genericprinters.NewGoTemplatePrinter([]byte("{{len .items}}"))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	jsonpathPrinter, err = printers.NewJSONPathPrinter("{.metadata.name}")
+	jsonpathPrinter, err = genericprinters.NewJSONPathPrinter("{.metadata.name}")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}