What is Heat Transfer T-shirt Printing?

Simply put, a design is printed on the reverse of the medium used for heat transfer, then heat-pressed onto the T-shirt using the help of a heat transfer machine.

Properties of Heat Transfer Printing

• Ideal for orders that have particular numbers and names (e.g., Sports jerseys)
• It is economical even for prints that have numerous colors.
• Cost-effective for smaller purchases (fewer than 20 pieces)
• Can produce photo-quality prints
• Capable of printing color gradients
• A relatively quick turnaround time
• Not so durable as silkscreen prints.
• Not suitable for large orders (above 20 pieces)
• Complex designs require a border

Most Frequently Answered Questions (FAQs) regarding Heat Transfer

Lead Time: The typical lead time for Heat Transfer Tshirt printing orders are 3-5 working days after the completion of the order.

Suggested Read: Iron-on Heat Transfer For T-shirts

What should I determine before putting together my purchase:

• Type of Apparel (e.g., Drifit or cotton Roundneck, Polo Tees, Bomber Jacket, Workwear etc.)
• Color of Apparel
• Size of the order (the order should be less than 20 pieces)
• Size of print desired (e.g., A4 or A3).
• The print's position (e.g., left chest, front, back, right sleeve, etc.)

What do I have to supply:

• High-resolution image of your custom image of your design .pdf or .Ai format.
• T-shirt / Apparel Size Breakdown
• Deliver Address, Contact Information (if you need delivery)

Are Heat Transfer Prints Durable:

T-shirt prints with heat transfer can generally last for 50+ washes or longer.

While they're not as resistant to wear as other prints, such as silkscreen DTG or embroideries, they are appropriate for situations where:

• high-quality, individualized photos are essential for both
• T-shirts do not have to be worn regularly

Examples include bi-annual or annual sporting occasions or customized clothing for special occasions like an anniversary or birthday.

It is also possible to extend the lifespan of your printer prints with these simple steps.

Heat Transfer Methods

There are many ways to transfer heat. In this article, we'll break them down according to the medium used for heat transfer. There are two main types of materials used in T-shirt heat transfer:

• Inkjet Transfer Paper
• Vinyl Material (printable PU material)

Heat Press Digital Transfer Print

Utilizes the Inkjet Printer, as well as digital transfer papers.

The ability to print virtually every design. If your design is extremely high, the Digital Print will be close to the quality of a photo.

The desired design will be printed onto the paper side of the heat transfer paper by using inkjet printing. Light heat transfer paper produces vivid colors when applied to white or light-colored fabrics. Dark heating transfer paper can be suitable for darker-colored fabrics and keeps the fabric's color from reflecting by the color of ink.

The design image is laid face down on the fabric. A heated press device is employed to apply pressure and heat to transfer this image to the material.

Computer-Aided-Design Vinyl Heat Transfer (aka Vinyl Print)

Perfect for personalizing 1-color prints, like personal name/text and numbers printing.

In contrast to Digital Heat Transfer, the colors of the prints are based on the quality of the Vinyl material of that specific shade.

Also Read: A Basic Guide to Vinyl T Shirt Printing!

The print is made using transfer vinyl, which is made from Polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) substances. The vinyl paper comes with two sides, a matte side and one with a glossy surface. The matte side comprises a heat-sensitive adhesive, and the glossy side is the plastic sheet used as a carrier.

The design is then uploaded to an application for cutting machines. Then the plan is engraved on the matte surface of the heat transfer vinyl using a computer-guided cutting blade. After cutting, all the vinyl that is left around the design is cut out.

The design is positioned with the matte side facing down on the fabric. A heat press is utilized to apply pressure and heat to the design, causing it to melt the heat-sensitive adhesive on the material. The plastic sheet is then gone, leaving the final design on the fabric.