Printer's Corner - Printed Heat Press Transfers Open a Range of Decorating Options

Heat Transfer Printing

Heat transfers provide flexibility in decorating choices

Heat transfers provide flexibility in decorating choices

A screen printed transfer (also known as a plastisol transfer) is an image which has been screen printed onto release paper. Instead of being directly screen printed onto a shirt or other item, the design is printed onto transfer paper, then applied with a heat press. If you have ever used an iron to press a decal onto a shirt then you know the basis of heat transfer, but our method is exceptionally more advanced. The heat seal decoration method utilizes regulated heat and pressure to thermally bond graphics onto a material’s surface. 

When to Use Heat Transfer as a Decoration Method

Heat transfer is a great decoration choice if you are looking for an affordable decoration option with a variety of substrates in the same batch. With decoration methods like embroidery and screen printing, you are usually limited to printing the same design on the same garment type. Heat transfers allow you mix multiple substrates like shirts, fleece, koozies, bags, hats  etc. within the same production run without incurring extra costs for changeovers.  The flexibility of heat transfers doesn’t end there.  They also allow individual designs like names, numbers or different size prints to be printed on the sheet but transferred to individual items for a mix and match production run.  Continuing the flexibility theme, heat transfers allow you to decorate delicate or difficult materials that otherwise can not be decorated with traditional screen printing.

Heat Transfer is Ideal for…

  • Custom T-Shirts

  • Custom Fleece Garments

  • Custom Hats and Headgear

  • Printed Sweatshirts & Hoodies

  • Custom Backpacks & Bags

  • Specialty Materials like Spandex and Nylon

  • Custom Names and Numbers

Benefits of Heat Transfer as a Decoration Method

  • Can be used on more delicate materials windbreakers, umbrellas, bags

  • Affordable individually personalized decoration, such as sports uniforms.

  • Allows for finer details and smaller text than embroidery.

  • Heat transfer is available in many different finishes and styles.

Drawbacks of Heat Transfer as a Decoration Method

  • Logos and designs larger than 12 inches tend to be more expensive than other design methods.

  • Vintage textures can not be achieved with heat transfers.

  • Should not be done on certain synthetic materials that can’t be exposed to the high heat from the iron.

Mick Pennington