What does heat transfer mean?
I. Hot-pressing extension technology
Hot-pressing extension technology is to print graphics and text on thermal transfer paper or plastic film by screen printing, gravure printing and other printing methods, and then transfer graphics and text to fabrics, leather and other articles by heating and pressing.
Thermal transfer process can be called hot stamping, which can be divided into the following categories:
1, high temperature hot stamping: mainly used for cotton and blended knitted garments. Such as t-shirts, pajamas, etc. The pattern has a photo effect and is soft and elastic after ironing.
2. Low-temperature hot stamping: mainly used for nylon cloth and PU artificial leather, such as elastic sportswear, swimsuits, down jackets, sports shoes and leather gloves. The pattern effect after hot stamping is the same as that after high temperature hot stamping. Used in elastic clothing, the elastic effect is excellent.
3, flocking hot stamping: a wide range of applications, usually can be used for women's socks, men's cotton foam, clothing trademarks, knitted children's wear and so on. The pattern has a three-dimensional effect, and it can be multi-colored, soft, elastic and strong in adhesion after ironing.
4, infiltration foaming hot stamping: mainly used for cotton, chemical fiber sweaters, sweaters, jeans and so on. The main features are that it permeates into the cloth, has good air permeability, has a strong three-dimensional effect on the foamed part, has a good raised texture, and has a soft hand feeling and strong adhesion after ironing.
Hot stamping methods and precautions are as follows:
(1) Place the transfer paper pattern fabric in the required position.
(2) Pressurize and heat for several seconds with an iron or a transfer printer.
(3) Tear off the backing paper (three methods).
Cold peeling: After completely cooling, slowly tear off the backing paper.
Hot stripping: Tear off the liner immediately while it is hot.
Wentuo: Wait a few seconds. When it gets warm, tear off the lining paper.
(4) When ironing stockings, silicone oil paper should be added under the printed surface to prevent hot melt adhesive from infiltrating. See table 1 for general hot stamping process indicators for reference only.
Second, thermal sublimation extension technology.
Traditional thermal sublimation transfer refers to printing thermal sublimation transfer printing ink on paper (or plastic film) by screen printing, and overlapping the printed paper (or film) with the fabric, heating, pressurizing or depressurizing to sublimate the dye on the paper (or film) and transfer it to the fabric in gas phase. In addition to fabrics, it can also be transferred to products such as ceramics and metals. The main feature of thermal sublimation extension technology is that the transferred image is bright in color and rich in layers, and the effect can be comparable to that of printing. Different from printing, the dye in transfer printing ink is sublimated by heat, permeates the surface of the object, and forms a colorful image after sublimation. Therefore, thermal transfer products are durable, and images will not fall off, crack or fade.
With the rapid development of high technology, the technology and level of thermal transfer printing have been further expanded and improved. In thermal transfer technology, computers are widely used for image processing and design, and then images are printed on paper (or film) by high-speed and high-quality inkjet printers, which saves the plate-making process. Thermal sublimation ink can also be coated on plastic film and cut into color bands for smart card printing technology.
The electronic digital control cup baking machine can transfer the pattern on the paper from thermal sublimation to printing to the cup in a few minutes. Using a cup baking machine to make a beautiful full-color picture on a cup requires only a special transfer printing ink and a cup with a special coating, which is convenient and quick to operate. The electronic digital control baking machine can transfer the patterns on the paper from heat sublimation to printing to plate in a few minutes. Equipped with special transfer printing ink, you can use a baking machine to bake various patterns on special boards. The drying and printing machine controlled by electronic numbers can transfer the patterns on paper from thermal sublimation to porcelain and metal plates in a few minutes. Suitable for making medals, honorary certificates, commemorative cards and portrait porcelain plates.
What equipment is needed for thermal transfer printing?
Depending on the product, an ordinary computer and an Epson printer are necessary (due to the patent problem of nozzle technology, Epson printer can only transfer heat, so ordinary ink can be used in time, and it is recommended to use Epson printer considering the subsequent ink cost).
1, various crystal images: crystal glue, crystal film, blank crystal, printer needs ordinary ink;
2. badge: badge machine, ordinary inkjet paper or ordinary photographic paper, supporting badge consumables and printers need ordinary ink;
3. PVC card: you also need a sealing machine, a card punching machine, PVC kit consumables and a printer with ordinary ink;
4. Ceramic tray: you also need baking machine, ceramic transfer paper (ordinary sublimation paper, which can be replaced by ordinary inkjet paper if the color requirement is not high), blank tray and printer for thermal transfer ink;
Cups, glasses, space pots and other utensils: you also need a cup baking machine, ceramic transfer paper (ordinary sublimation paper, which can be replaced by ordinary inkjet paper if the color requirements are not high), blank cups, and printers need supporting thermal transfer ink;
5, hats, shoes and other similar textiles: you also need a hat baking machine, New Zealand sublimation paper, blank hats waiting for transfer products, and printers need supporting thermal transfer ink;
6. Pure cotton T-shirts or other pure cotton textiles: You also need a bronzing machine, a T-shirt transfer paper, a blank T-shirt waiting for transfer printing products, a printer that needs matching thermal transfer ink, or waterproof pigment ink. Be careful not to use ordinary ink, although it can be transferred, but the transferred products are not washable;
7. Non-cotton T-shirts or textiles with cotton content less than 50%, as well as pillows, mouse pads, puzzles, coasters, cosmetic mirrors, lighters, metal business cards, metal photos, cigarette cases, ceramic plates, gloves, socks, cloth bags, etc. : Thermal transfer printer, New Zealand sublimation paper, products to be transferred and printers need to be equipped with thermal transfer ink.
Generally speaking, to make a complete set of products, in addition to the corresponding equipment for each project, you need to equip a computer and two printers (one ordinary ink and one thermal transfer ink). According to the product type, you can choose the corresponding equipment and the corresponding thermal transfer paper.