Transfer printing
Also known as: Heat transfer, Transfer print
Two-step printing process: the motif is first printed onto a carrier medium and then transferred to the textile by heat and pressure — flexible for small runs and complex motifs.
Description
Transfer printing is the umbrella term for all processes where a motif is first printed onto an intermediate carrier (paper, PET film, sublimation paper) and then transferred to the textile by heat and pressure. The main variants are sublimation transfer (on polyester, see its own entry), DTF transfer (Direct-to-Film with pigment ink plus hot-melt adhesive, for all fibres) and plastisol transfer (screen-printed motifs on release paper).
A DTF transfer is inkjet-printed in CMYK plus white onto coated PET film. The wet ink is dusted with hot polyurethane powder that acts as adhesive. At 130-150 degrees in the heat press the adhesive fuses with the textile, then the carrier film is peeled off cold or hot. DTF works on cotton, polyester, blends, even leather and nylon — a major advantage over DTG and sublimation.
Advantages: no setup cost, economical from a single piece, very detailed motifs with soft hand. Disadvantages vs. screen print: higher unit cost at large runs, wash fastness usually 30-40 washes at 40 degrees, DTF transfer can crack on very stretchy fabrics.
Properties
| Process | Print on carrier, then heat press |
|---|---|
| Fibre suitability | All fibres (DTF), only polyester (sublimation) |
| Application | Club shirts, personalised garments |
| Durability | 30-40 washes at 40 °C |
Related product categories
Sources & references
1- Wikipedia: Textildruck Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textildruck
