TRANSFER PRINTING TEXTILE – Screen printing Munich – ARSONISTS – Textile printing screen printing company
In addition to direct screen printing, we also offer transfer printing in the heart of Munich. Transfers are a high-quality way to embellish textiles that are difficult to print on and are often used for polyester, blended fabrics, or areas that are hard to decorate. Within transfer printing, there are various printing methods, including flex printing, flock printing, plastisol transfer printing, digital transfer printing, screen printing transfer, and sublimation printing. We will select the most suitable method for your project to achieve maximum quality at the best possible price.
HOW TRANSFER PRINTING WORKS IN DETAIL
In transfer printing, a heat press is used to transfer ink or foil from the carrier material, usually transfer paper, onto the textile. Transfers are created using various techniques; the main distinction is between digital print transfers, screen print transfers, and flex transfers. In the first case, a layer of color is digitally or screen printed in reverse onto transfer film and coated with an adhesive layer. This adhesive is then fused with the ink using heat. The adhesive is specially formulated for the textiles being decorated to ensure optimal adhesion. In contrast, flex transfers involve cutting a special foil contour using a plotter and lifting it from the transfer paper.
An advantage of using transfer printing on textiles is the ability to print in areas that are otherwise inaccessible via direct printing methods. For example, it’s possible to add a design to a T-shirt, even across a side seam.
OVERVIEW OF TRANSFER PRINTS
In this overview, we compare the main printing methods within transfer printing.
FLEX AND FLOCK PRINTING
Flex printing is another way to embellish your textiles, even in small print runs. It’s particularly useful for difficult-to-print polyester fabrics like rain jackets or coach jackets. This printing method offers beautiful colors and perfect coverage, where achieving vibrant colors with screen printing is challenging. As an alternative to screen printing, flex printing involves heat-pressing special films onto the fabric. A wide variety of films and special effect films are available, some of which are impossible with direct printing. It’s important to note that only vectorized shapes can be plotted. In addition to flex film, heat transfer printing can be used. This involves printing the design and applying an adhesive layer. Then, just like flex printing, it’s heat-pressed directly onto the fabric.
SCREEN PRINTING TRANSFER
In addition to regular screen printing, we also produce screen-printed transfer prints. These are characterized by crisp lines and beautiful color reproduction. In transfer printing, the design is exposed in reverse on the screen and printed onto a film that has an adhesive layer and fuses under heat. The resulting plastisol transfers are then heat-pressed onto the garment using a heat press. Screen-printed transfers achieve even finer lines and edges than direct screen printing because, as with paper, the print is applied to a film, and the fabric structure does not affect the final result. This printing method is also used for neck prints with size and washing instructions. Colorfastness according to Pantone standards is another advantage of screen printing.
DIGITAL TRANSFER PRINTING
A distinction is made between screen printing transfer and digital transfer printing. In digital transfer, the ink is applied digitally, and the number of colors is irrelevant. Since there are no limits to the number of colors used, it is often employed for transferring photos or designs with many colors. Digital transfer printing is also a good solution for achieving a beautiful print result on materials that are difficult to print on, such as textiles.
DIGITAL PLASTISOL TRANSFER
A combination of the two printing methods is digital plastisol transfer. This process combines the strengths of both methods to achieve a perfect transfer result. Specifically, the design is digitally pre-printed, and then a white carrier layer is screen-printed, which is subsequently fused with the adhesive. This utilizes the color range of digital printing as well as the positive properties of screen printing, such as opacity, elasticity, and wash resistance. Therefore, we offer digital plastisol transfers for textiles that are difficult to print on directly.
EXAMPLES OF SCREEN PRINTING PLASTISOL TRANSFER PRINTS
Screen printing transfer is very suitable for placing prints on the hood and other areas near the seams.
Heat-pressed plastisol transfer across side seam and screen-printed front and back print of a Stanley Stella T-shirt.
We embellished this polyester tank top with a two-color screen-printed plastisol transfer. Beautiful results even on perforated fabric.
This multi-colored plastisol transfer was also created using screen printing and has a beautiful luminosity and clean edges on a cotton shirt.
Transfer printing as a way to print over seams and on the collar
EXAMPLES OF SPECIAL EFFECT FILMS
Black hologram foil
Special reflective black flex foil applied to Fairtrade hoodies. Depending on the angle of the light, the foil reflects across the entire color spectrum.
When viewed from the center of the finished textile, the flex foil appears matte black.
Black hologram foil
Glitter effect foil
Fairtrade T-shirts from Stanley Stella were finished using this special rainbow hologram effect foil via flex printing.
Golden glitter foils reflect light in a special way and shine with a metallic sheen.
FLEX PRINT EXAMPLES OF T-SHIRTS & OTHER TEXTILES
Flex printing perfectly applied over the seam of a hoodie hood.
Two-tone flex transfer on basketball shorts.
Tone-on-tone flexible transfer applied to the nape of the neck.
Flex printing applied to a backpack using heat pressing
DIGITAL PLASTIC TRANSFER IDEAL FOR MULTICOLORED DESIGNS
For print runs of around 50 pieces or more, digital plastisol transfer is the ideal option for multi-colored designs or photo prints. The transfer is digitally pre-printed in multiple colors and then backed with screen printing. This combination ensures optimal results when transferring the print and provides exceptional wash resistance.
Digital plastisol transfer completed and ready to transfer
Finished transfer print textile on a Fairtrade fabric
Heat-transferred digital plastisol transfer during peeling of the backing film
Examples of digital plastisol transfers
Digital plastisol transfer with a wide color spectrum applied to cotton hoodies.
Multicolored digital plastisol transfer with screen printing combination printed on a Continental Clothing hoodie.
Examples of digital plastisol transfers
Digital plastisol transfer with a wide color spectrum applied to cotton hoodies.
Transfer printing delivers a perfect result even on dark T-shirts.