Creative Touch Designs

heat transfers faqs.....

What Is A Transfer?
An iron-on transfer consists of an image printed in reverse (i.e. mirrored) and applied to a piece of high release paper. The image is usually printed onto the paper with plastisol inks which have the characteristics of being flexible enough for stretching and durable enough for wearability. The transfer is typically used for decorative purposes and applied to garments, mugs, mouse pads, and other surfaces. The image is applied to these items using a heat press machine which uses high temperature (typically 385 degrees Fahrenheit) and pressure to transfer the ink from the paper to the garment. The process of transferring an image from the paper to the garment typically takes typically 8-12 seconds and does not require a drying or curing process once applied.

Transfers are available in a variety of sizes, processes, and colors. Most transfers produced today are known as hot split transfers where the ink splits between the transfer paper and garment when heated. Other popular transfer types include puff (ink that puffs), glitter (ink that sparkles), foil (ink that shines), and sublimation (used for mug transfers).

Can I Print Transfers on Any Color Garment or Surface?
No, some transfers are intended to be printed on light color (i.e. white, ash, yellow, light blue) garments only while others can be printed on dark and light color garments.
Like color, not all transfers can be applied to all materials. Virtually every transfer we sell can be applied to a garment which contains at least 50% polyester and 50% cotton. However, printing on a mug, mouse pad, or a cap often requires a transfer specifically intended for those surfaces.

Heat Transfers as an Alternative to Screen Printing:
With the improvements in technology used to produce transfers, it is virtually impossible to tell the difference between a garment printed directly with a screen printing press and one printed using a transfer. In most cases, the transfer has a soft feel (or hand as we say in the industry) , is as durable and cost considerably less than a pre-printed shirt. T-shirt transfers are a common alternative to the screen printing process. Transfers allows full color printing on the t-shirt of your choice. This process however is not a direct print. It uses a process that "transfers" a photo onto the substrate using a commercial heat press.
A few advantages to this process are, one, it is much cheaper than screen printing because the set-up charges are eliminated. Two, It allows the printer to use full color photography to transfer your design to the shirt. And finally, in most instances, there are no minimum orders.

How Do Transfers Hold Up When Washed?
Special care is normally not needed to wash a garment printed with a transfer since it has the same characteristics as a pre-printed or direct printed shirt. However, we recommend washing the garment inside-out and in cold water to prevent the cotton fibers from peeling away from the garment. It is normally the cotton fibers peeling away which cause fading in a printed shirt regardless of whether it was printed with a transfer or directly printed.

How Does a Transfer Feel When Printed?
Transfers normally have the same textures and feel as a pre-printed garment

Can I Print the Same Transfer More than Once?
No, once applied to a garment, mug, cap, or other surface, the transfer cannot be reapplied again.