Screen printing transfer allows you to personalize different types of textile using a specific printing method. The pattern to be affixed will then be created, printed with screen printing inks, cut around it to avoid any excess material then heat pressed to activate the inks to make them appear on the textile. This printing method is used to achieve complex designs including different vibrant colors.
Why choose screen printing transfer?
Easy to use, screen printing transfer is very popular with professionals, individuals or creators. Indeed, its advantages are multiple:
- Beautiful print quality : This printing method produces high-quality designs with precise details and beautiful colors. Screen printing is thus capable of reproducing complex patterns as well as color gradients.
- Great durability : screen printing inks are very resistant, allowing prints to undergo numerous machine washes without losing quality.
- Different customization possibilities : screen printing allows you to personalize different textile materials, but also plastic, glass or even metal
- High volume : screen printing transfer can be produced quickly in large quantities, making it the ideal choice for high volume printing for professionals.
- Various colors : Screen printing allows the use of a wide range of colors, including specialty colors and metallic inks, allowing many designs to be made.
- Adaptability to dark textiles : this method is particularly suitable for printing on dark or colored textiles, as it allows you to create opaque patterns that stand out well against dark backgrounds.
- Competitive costs : thanks to its speed of execution, serial printing by screen printing is quickly profitable and allows dropshipping professionals in particular to reduce their stocks.
However, screen printing transfer can also have disadvantages.
- High cost for small series : Setting up screen printing screens can be expensive, making this method less profitable for small series.ires.
- Color limitation : The number of colors you can use is often limited, which can be a problem for complex or very colorful designs.
- Material Limitations : Not all textiles are well suited to screen printing, which may limit your material options.
- Less suitable for fine details : Although screen printing can produce relatively fine details, it is generally not as precise as other methods like DTF transfer or DTG printing for highly detailed designs.
How to personalize your screen printing transfer?
The personalized screen printing transfer can be applied to a large number of materials. Cotton, plastic or polyester, screen-printed transfer printing offers an excellent rendering on different clothing or textiles such as polo shirts, sweatshirts, sports clothing such as team jerseys, caps and hats, canvas bags, jackets, aprons, promotional textiles or even different event textiles. With screen printing, the possibilities are legion!
How to apply a screen printing transfer?
The method of applying a screen print remains relatively simple and requires very little equipment, thus saving significant space:
- Preheat the heat press and set it to the recommended temperature for screen printing, typically between 150°C and 180°C.
- Place the textile to be personalized on the surface of the heat press and center it well. Take the opportunity to smooth it out to remove all the wrinkles.
- Position the screen printing transfer on the textile, printed side down. Check its position and alignment with your garment
- Place a sheet of parchment paper or Teflon paper over the transfer to protect the ink and prevent it from sticking to the heat plate.
- Lower the heat press heating plate onto the textile, applying firm, but controlled pressure for 10 to 20 seconds depending on your transfer.
- Raise the hotplate and carefully remove the parchment or Teflon paper. Allow the textile to cool for a few moments so that the ink sets properly
- Gently peel off the screen printing transfer backing once the textile has cooled. Be careful not to pull on the garment.
- Check that the transfer is well fixed on the textile. If any areas become peeled, reapply the hot plate for a few seconds.
Alternatives to screen printing on transfer paper
Because screen printing is not the only way to personalize your textiles, here are some alternative methods:
DTF (Direct To Film) Transfer : Transfers designs or images onto textiles using a special printer and transfer film, for high print quality with detail
Iron-on transfer: Prints a pattern or image on a special support, to attach it to a fabric using a heat press.
Flocking : Applies a raised material to a textile using glue or a thermal adhesive, to obtain a soft, velvety texture generally used for lettering or logos.*
Sublimation : Uses special heated inks going from a solid to a gaseous state to penetrate the textile fibers in a lasting manner.
Digital process color : Uses cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) to create a full range of tints and shades to print complex colors or gradients.
Direct printing : Prints patterns or designs directly onto a textile using a special printer without using an intermediate transfer.
Flex: Cuts heat transfer material into shapes or lettering to be applied to textile using a heat press to achieve important details.
