So, transfers. Heat pressed onto T-Shirts and so on – sounds pretty simple really. But has the technology changed much in recent months? Well, the answer is a resounding yes. Is the technology suitable for serious production methods? Again, a very definitive yes. Firstly, consider a few exciting techniques and how they could target growth in your business.

Tough-Durable-Iron proof transfers

Like most, I believed transfers to be suitable only for lighter use garments, novelty or promotional T-shirts and the like. Imagine, though, a simple CAD cut transfer technology available in pantone matched base colours, which can be applied to industrial boiler suits, Hi Viz and other PPE. The transfer can be ironed over with steam, even boil washed. This is known as TuffTrans or Duracut. The material is a formula printed onto paper. As well as the obvious durability benefits, there are at least two other real benefits:

• Fast production of samples and small production runs.Why the benefit? Well, consider the largest engineering firm in your region, your closest airport or docks. You have at your disposal an ability to quickly and inexpensively produce a sample – a sprat to catch the big fish! But what if the big fish bites, and you need to produce a few thousand of these things? Usually, this is the point where so many CAD cut solutions become non-viable for the big contract. However . . .

• TuffTrans can be pre-printed to its release paper with the completed wording or logo needed for ongoing contracts on decorated workwear. In other words, quantities of many hundreds to thousands may be pre-printed and remain non-committed to the clothing until required.

Some film-based CAD cut transfers may be applied in layers on top of another, but this is not recommended with TuffTrans so some jigsawing to the artwork must be considered. This transfer technology, along with mass-produced supply marks one of the significant developments in the industry – one which has been embraced by trade to trade transfer houses.

Related to these transfers are the more conventional CAD cut-off-the-roll types. These too have evolved within the last few years and now include specialised finishes such as high glitter effect, metallic foils, Hi-Viz and even a phosphorescent type for glow in the dark application. If these offerings can’t make money for a business then perhaps Elvis is recording a comeback album!

Puff transfers for retail and children’s wear

This is the 3D raised effect often used on baby wear and novelty childrenÅfs T-shirts. Using this, even the simplest of designs can be taken to a new level and brought to life. Some or all of the design can be highlighted using the puffed effect, which, very simply put, uses an additive mixed in with the ink during production of the transfer. Most puff transfers work well on soft cotton or 50/50 cotton blends, which again lends their use to the children’s wear market.

What are the benefits? I believe Mothercare is still in the business of selling baby clothes – in huge numbers – so our industry shouldn’t be afraid to think bigger, with more ‘outside of the box’ ideas such as the retail markets. Think drinks promotions, think eco-warrior promotions.

Offer your customer more than your rivals. Contact your transfer makers for details on these amazing pieces. Again, as they are produced using screen printing methodology onto release paper, numbers between 25 to many thousands can be pre made for longer term clothing supply contracts. These are not only for small ‘birthday girl’ runs.

Plasiticol for high colour or adhesion to nylons

These are arguably the highest quality, most steadfast transfers readily used. They are typically produced using conventional four-colour process printing (CMYK) on a litho press. This optimises colour, clarity and finite detail.

Special effects such as glitter or pearlescents can be incorporated into the design work. This is the important part. These, like all printed to release paper transfers, are produced in mirrored reverse and a final topcoat backer is applied. Like others, this backer adhesive may be a polytran substrate suitable for fusing to difficult materials such as nylon, neoprene, and some teflon sports mixes.

Plasticol is often applied direct to dark garments and denim, or even leather and acrylics. Many of the online shops provide off-the-shelf plasticol transferred clothing with surprisingly good results. These offer a very real, very forgiving finish which is both easy and repetitive to apply, hence a very effective production tool and one the entrepreneurial decorated clothiers must consider. Plasticol transfers are often seen guised in expensive high street and designer names with detailed decorations and a fancy price tag – one should be seeing pound signs with correct use and targeting of this technology.

Print-it-yourself release paper type

I was rather astounded to see such papers available to all and sundry via a large PC store. These are the A4 or A3 papers specially layered to hold a seal, reactive and release paper, which may be printed onto using laser or now even inkjet printers. Magictouch, Xpres and Target, among others, make more serious versions with options to suit light and dark clothing.

Cautions: Be aware that your printer is very unlikely to be a pantone matched printer so colours are likely to vary massively, take extreme care if using such papers as they may jam or react adversely with your printer.

This aside though, it is possible to achieve a fair result especially onto white T-shirt cotton. Remember, a printer cannot ‘print’ white. For this, the printer relies on its background. These transfers tend to be endeared with a soft, waxy feel, which is the top skin.

I was very surprised by the wash results of these transfer papers. You would expect them to disappear after one wash cycle, however, while they are not recommended for tumble drying and high temperature washes, they do wash rather well. The transfers, unlike most others, are usually recommended to be lightly ironed over, which removes the detergents from the transfer and actually focuses up the steadfast colours.

Final points to remember are the three main elements to achieve the perfect, fail-proof transfer finish. These elements are needed in the correct measure and every transfer has its own instructions.

• Heat: Most puffed transfers require higher temperatures than others, often in excess of 180°C to 190°C in order to agitate the puff additive. TuffTrans and most Film/Flex transfers fuse at around 160°C to 180°C.

• Time: Some transfers will break down or melt under heat if too much time is applied, others may fuse to the release paper if glues are used as a backer. This is especially true of nylo adhesions, which are suitable for fusing to high water resistant materials and treated nylons. Do remember that most transfer manufacturers will deem a prepressing of the garment necessary to ensure all moisture is removed and a flat surface viable. Typically most CAD cut technologies onto cotton will require a pre-press of five to 10 seconds and a main press of 15 to 20 seconds.

•Pressure: With the availability of pneumatics to the factory floor in most print facilities it would seem foolish not to invest in a suitable pneumatic press. Consider too the legislative world we live in regarding staff strain injuries. However, smaller runs may be produced to good effect using the manual clam type presses. But spare both your staff and your reject rates by using correct methods of heat-timepressure for a profitable venture. Typically, transfers stating a low-pressure application require 35-50psi while some higher pressure ones may need upto 100psi spread evenly across a shirt back. Pneumatics is very definitely the only way to forge a successful venture.

The transfer methods mentioned thus far are by no means the definitive guide. In fact, there are transfers for hundreds of applications. Do appraise your production methods: remember that the labour element, if not accounted for correctly, can overbear the merits of transfers. You will also likely find that transfers will provide a profitable alternative to those smaller and often awkward print to garment jobs.

We are in the business of providing unique, bespoke clothing designs for work and promotion, just like the leading edge print and embroidery companies, so think innovation and do not be afraid to experiment with these forms of heat pressed decoration. Most transfer makers will be happy to supply small samples - just have a go.

Vincent McAtamney: Experia VMC Ltd

Vince provides sales and marketing services to promotional clothing company Ballantyne Edwards as well as PR, marketing and business development consultancy to electronics, audio visual and leisure companies.

For information on these services go to www.experiavmc.com or telephone: 01702 393962

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