Various methods transfer text, images, designs, graphics, etc., onto your chosen fabric and substrate. Most individuals know about screen printing (also called silkscreen). However, nowadays, you can accomplish similar results by using speciality transfer paper, vinyl, and films, which are used on inkjet, laser printers, or other speciality equipment. Keep in mind that this is a vibrant field, and innovations are being generated regularly, thus in the interest of time, we can go over a few of the more popular and repeatedly used methods.
With a consistent application of heat and pressure, a transfer paper enables you to get the print on the fabric—this is a DIY option to get your desired image. In addition, compared to creating silkscreens, this is an affordable option. Let’s go through some types of transfer sheets available in the market.
Inkjet Transfer Paper
This method is better suitable for home transfer and a small-scale project. As a small business owner, you can get the best results at a lower rate and offer good products reasonably. In this method, we use an inkjet transfer sheet to ensure that the print is transferred on the fabric. You can use your regular iron to transfer the pattern onto the materials. You need to apply consistent heat and pressure on the paper to move the print on the fabric. All you have to check is to ensure that the sheet doesn’t move from its place. You can use these papers to get prints on light and dark fabrics. These prints can be of any form, logo, text, painting, etc.
Sublimation Transfer Paper
In conjunction with sublimation print systems and links, these papers are used. The process includes primary colours with a clear coating on the form. The ink sublimates or becomes a gas without liquefying. This product is curated on the polyester, polyester blend, and other synthetic fabric only; it is not suitable for cotton or cotton-based fabric. It is also used to print other specially coated hard goods like mugs or promotional items as long as they are adequately covered to accept sublimation inks. This is deemed an expensive method as the equipment needed is quite costly. Therefore, this is not a cost-effective way of creating small runs; for this cause, most print shops will not have small or individual orders using a sublimation sheet.
Plastisol Screen printed Transfer Paper
Also known as Hot-split or Hot-peel, this transferring procedure includes a finished product closely identical to screenprinting. Image is transferred onto the plastisol sheet using a screen printer, and the idea is then transferred onto fabric with a heat press. The sheet is then peeled off immediately after pressing.
Cold-peel Screen Printed Transfer Paper
It is similar to plastisol, this is also printed using the screen printing method and needs expensive and specialty tools to produce. The cold peel transfer sheet for screen printing is parchment paper. It is called cold peel because it can cool before peeling off the backing paper after laying your image with a heat press. As it cools, more ink is transferred onto the fabric, producing a negligibly brighter and more vivid image due to the whole ink transfer. Cold peel transfers feel very similar to screen printing; however, the image will have a somewhat elastic feel.
Heat Press Vinyl
While this is not conventionally a ‘transfer paper’, it is a procedure to apply for a transfer onto material. This product comes in various colours and surfaces, even glitter. However, this is not a printable product; instead, you can cut out your arrangement by hand, or as is used most often, have the design cut on a vinyl plotter, which is programmed from your computer’s graphic software. Your layout is then peeled off the backing paper, placed on the fabric and spread with a heat press. This is a massive advantage if you are doing lettering and don’t have any background.
According to your requirements, you can use different types of transfer paper to ensure better results.