Screen print transfers, also known as screen-printed heat transfers or plastisol transfers, are a popular method for creating high-quality, durable designs on various fabric items, including shirts. They are essentially screen-printed designs that have been transferred onto a carrier paper, allowing you to apply them to fabric using heat. Here's an overview of the process: Design your artwork: Create or select the design you want to transfer onto the fabric. The design is typically created using graphic design software and should be suitable for screen printing. Prepare the screens: The screen printing process involves creating screens with the desired design. This step typically requires specialized equipment and expertise. The screens are coated with a photosensitive emulsion, exposed to light through a film positive of the design, and then washed to create the stencil. Print the transfers: Once the screens are prepared, the design is screen-printed onto a carrier paper using plastisol ink. Plastisol ink is a type of ink that does not dry or cure until heat is applied. Trim the transfers: After printing, the transfers are trimmed around the design, leaving a small border if desired. This step is important to ensure precise placement on the fabric. Preheat your heat press: Set your heat press to the appropriate temperature and time recommended by the transfer manufacturer. The temperature and time will vary depending on the type of fabric and transfer being used. Position the transfer: Place the fabric item on the heat press. Position the screen print transfer onto the fabric, ensuring it is placed in the desired location. Apply heat and pressure: Close the heat press and apply the recommended amount of pressure for the specified duration. The combination of heat and pressure activates the plastisol ink, causing it to transfer from the carrier paper onto the fabric. Peel and cool: After the specified time, open the heat press and carefully peel off the carrier paper from the fabric. The transferred design should be left on the fabric. Allow the fabric to cool down before handling or moving it. Screen print transfers offer several advantages, including the ability to produce high-quality prints with vibrant colors, fine details, and durable results. They can be created in advance, allowing for efficient production and easy application when needed. It's important to note that the screen printing process for transfers requires specialized equipment, materials, and skills. If you don't have experience with screen printing, it may be more practical to work with a professional screen printing company that can create the transfers for you. Supacolor are the best heat transfers with excellent stretch & rebound; no cracking or fading, even after 70+ washes.
