Heat transfer printing is the process of applying a thin, flexible material with heat sensitive adhesive on one side using a
specialized heat press. Three components to consider when decorating with a heat press are: Time; how long a specific transfer
needs to be pressed, temperature; how much heat is needed in order to activate the adhesive, and pressure; how much weight
is needed to ensure a secure hold onto the garment. Different garments require different heat press settings and will often have a
minor press mark present after being done which, with time and the gentle washing of the item, will fade.
Vinyl Transfers
Vinyl transfers are a different material used most often for one color designs like wording or numbers. They are a thinner and more
natural feeling material that adheres well to most fabrics such as cotton, polyester, and poly cotton goods. Vinyl transfers are only
available as a one color due to the material being adhesive side up, unlike the full color CAD-cut which need to be flipped. Your design is
sent to a cutting machine which creates a cut line on the material in the shape of your logo. When finished the material that needs to be
removed from the logo is weeded out, and the transfers are ready to be applied.
CAD-Cut transfers
Our typical and most requested transfer is a full color CAD-cut transfer that can have many different colors and logos printed onto the
material prior to being put onto a substrate. CAD-cut or Computer aided design - cut transfers are a fantastic way to produce logos and
designs that are small and have quite a few colors. Your artwork file is sent to a printer where it reproduces the desired colors thus
creating your logo. Once printed a small digitally operated blade creates a cutline around the design separating the artwork from any
excess material that needs to be removed. This process is known as weeding and is done by hand. After the product has been
weeded it is then pre-masked which is the point when the transfer is flipped over revealing the adhesive side of the material so it can
be applied.
Reflective Transfers
Reflective Transfers are a thin but slightly stiffer material that when applied to a substrate creates a reflective surface similar to that of
a safety stripe. These transfers are typically done in silver and like the vinyl can be cut into the shape of your desired design. Colors
cannot be added to the reflective transfer material as it is adhesive side up but can be layered. Reflective transfers should only be used
as a foreground in multi-layer applications. These transfers work well with many textiles such as cotton, polyester, cotton-poly, and nylon.
Direct Printed Transfers
Direct Printed Transfers are a method of heat transferring that gives a similar look to that of silk screening onto a substrate that wouldn’t
normally be able to be screened, like gloves or hats. The transfers are produced by screen printing your design onto a sheet of
specialized transfer paper and a powder adhesive is then dusted over top affixing itself to the image. This is best done as a one or two
color as the ink needs to be wet in order for the glue to properly cling to the design. Once the sheet is printed and glued it is sent through
a conveyor dryer to dry the ink and minimalize any color bleed that may occur when heat pressing.