Thermal Transfer Technology Basics


Thermal transfer printing and its process

Thermal transfer printing is referred to as thermal transfer printing. It is not difficult to understand literally, thermal transfer printing is actually a kind of transfer printing, which is a transfer printing process method in the form of thermal transfer.

 

 

Thermal transfer printing is usually divided into hot-melt transfer printing and sublimation transfer printing. Hot-melt transfer printing is often used for cotton products, but the disadvantage is that it has poor air permeability; sublimation transfer printing is often used for polyester transfer printing. The disadvantage is that plate making costs are high. Sublimation transfer printing can be divided into different printing methods: offset printing, gravure printing, silk screen printing, data printing.

 

 

The principle of thermal transfer printing is somewhat similar to the transfer printing method. In thermal transfer printing, patterns are first printed on paper with dispersed dyes and printing inks, and then the printed paper (also called transfer paper) is stored for use in textile printing plants.

 

 

When the fabric is printed, go through a heat transfer printing machine, make the transfer paper and the unprinted face to face together, and pass through the machine at about 210°C (400T), at such a high temperature, the dye on the transfer paper is sublimated and transferred. onto the fabric, completing the printing process and requiring no further processing. The process is relatively simple and does not require the expertise required in production like roller printing or rotary screen printing.

 

 

Disperse dyes are the only dyes that can be sublimated, and in a sense, are the only dyes that can be thermally transferred, so this process can only be used on fabrics composed of fibers that have an affinity for such dyes, including acetate, acrylic Acrylic fiber, polyamide fiber (nylon) and polyester fiber.

 

 

For thermal transfer printing, fabric printers purchase this decal paper from a highly specialized decal paper manufacturer. Transfer paper can be printed according to the requirements of pattern designers and customers (ready-made patterns can also be used for transfer paper printing). Thermal transfer printing can be used to print garment pieces (such as edge printing, breast pocket embroidery, etc.). In this case, a specially designed pattern is used.

 

 

Thermal transfer printing stands out from the printing process as a complete fabric printing method, thus eliminating the need for bulky and expensive dryers, steamers, washing machines and tenter frames. Thermal transfer printing has the characteristics of light resistance, washing resistance, strong color fastness and rich colors, and can be used for printing clothing, home textiles (curtains, sofas, tablecloths, umbrellas, shower curtains, luggage) and other products.

 

 

Since the printed paper can be inspected before printing, misalignment and other defects are eliminated. Therefore, thermal transfer printing fabrics rarely appear defective. In addition, since thermal transfer printing belongs to the category of transfer printing, its printing process methods also include four process methods: sublimation method, swimming method, melting method, and ink layer peeling method.

 


Post time: Jul-21-2022