Talking about: Screen Printing Thermal Transfer

In simple terms, screen printing heat transfer is to print the thermosetting ink on a special “release” paper in advance, and then put it into an oven to partially cure the thermosetting ink. A heat transfer machine is then used to transfer (or print) the pattern on the print paper onto a T-shirt or garment. If the transfer is printed on the T-shirt by special "thermal separation," the pattern is the same as if the screen was printed directly on it.

Thermal transfer type

Thermal separation

Thermal separation is also seen as a "hot stripping" transfer. She is a popular transfer because it has the same soft texture as direct screen printing when used on shirts. The reason why it is called "hot peeling" is because the application of the transfer printing material after the hot stamping machine action for 10 seconds, the hot quickly peel the paper, the ink will be divided into two. Some of the ink is transferred to the shirt while the other part is left on the paper. This gives the transfer product a soft texture.

Cold stripping

Cold peeling transfer is still very popular, it is mainly used for printing sportswear, and metal foil printing on shirts. In fact, if you can do it right, you can choose either thermal separation or cold stripping for transfer printing. There is no difference in the effect and operation of thermal separation and cold stripping. The real difference lies in the use of the paper and press application. When you use cold peeling, cool the transfer paper for about 30 seconds before you remove the paper. This operation allows the ink to stay completely on the garment and gives the transferred pattern a strong elastic feel like rubber. When printing large prints on T-shirts, cold-striped prints are generally not suitable because they are hot on the body and can affect the breathability of the shirt. They also cannot be washed because the top rubber layer of the ink can crack. Cold peeling is then used as a "retro" type of printed product and is being used again.

Inkjet transfer

Inkjet is commonly used when printing shirts and making prints directly. Converted ink jet is a special type of ink that will automatically eject under the effect of high temperature pressure.

Why use transfer

Since printing patterns directly on garments is very simple, people often have such questions: Why do you have to worry about heat transfer? This question is very good, then let us look at the application of thermal transfer.

Baseball cap

Thermal transfer is especially important for printing baseball caps. Both bright and dark hats can create a sharp-edged pattern - especially when printing colorful patterns.

The surface of the hat is relatively soft. If printed directly on the hat, it is difficult to obtain the lines and details of the pattern. The use of transfer printed graphics is clear and clear. The use of the transfer in a natural printing manner makes it difficult to rapidly cure a variety of colors on the cap.

small order

For customers who want to order in small batches at regular intervals, thermal transfer in small quantities can be called the best option. What you need to do is to keep some transfer papers on the first order. When customers need to print one or two more, you can take them out and print them directly. If you only want to print a small pattern on your chest, you can print many patterns on each sheet of paper.

Cultural shirt

If you have held some exhibitions, festivals or major events, you will certainly know the benefits of thermal transfer. If the activities are not successful, it is much easier to remove the printing paper directly than to take them back and reprint! As long as you have a press, transfer paper and a blank T-shirt, you can create a new jersey on the last print. The customer can pick the size and color of the shirt. If they also need to add a pattern on the other side of the shirt, you can charge extra.

Stock or reprint shirt

Transfer (especially hot-stripping prints) is especially good for some stocks and shirts to be reprinted! If you sell homemade T-shirts (also known as preprints or inventory) in the form of retail, mail, or small-batch wholesales, this approach is feasible. First make all the designs on the transfer paper. When the order is received, the corresponding pattern will be printed on the selected shirt.

Sportswear printing

Thermal transfer printing on uniforms and sweatshirts is quite good for some of the relevant text. You can print your own team name and number in a variety of sports colors and collect them.

If you are starting a business and looking for a shortcut that allows you to print colorful patterns on shirts without much printing cost, then using thermal transfer is the most economical way. Read it down and you will know why you say so.

Isn't it too much trouble to operate?

of course not! In my opinion, this has become a "great miracle" in the industry. And some vendors are happy to use it. In practical applications, as long as you understand the method of screen printing, thermal transfer printing (either cold stripping or thermal stripping) is simple. All you need is suitable ink and special paper. In the same way, thermal transfer can also be used to print non-textiles, such as posters, printing on utensils, etc. However, only one color can be printed at a time, unlike the colors printed on shirts. After the first color to be printed is almost dry, the second color press is then printed on top and partially cured until all the desired colors are printed. Let's take a look at the details that should be taken into account when making thermal transfer.