Transfer Printing

Transfer Printing In this method, The design on a paper is transferred to a fabric by vaporization. There are two main processes for this- Dry Heat Transfer Printing and Wet Heat Transfer Printing. Various types of cylinders such as electrically heated cylinder, perforated cylinder etc. are used for pressing a fabric against a printed paper which transfers the pattern to the fabric.

Heat transfer printing is sometimes called thermal transfer printing. In this method, the design is first printed on paper with printing inks containing dyes of the disperse dye class. The printed paper (called transfer paper) is then stored until ready for use by the textile printer or converter.

When fabric is to be printed, it is passed through a heat transfer printing machine which brings paper and fabric together face to face and passes them through the machine at about 400F. Under this high temperature, the dye on the printed paper sublimates and is transferred onto the fabric.The process, resembling somewhat the familiar decal transfer, is relatively simple and does not require the expertise necessary when producing roller or rotary screen prints.

Disperse dyes are the only dyes which can be sublimated. and thus the only ones which will respond in a way that permits heat transfer printing. The process is therefore limited to fabrics which are composed of fibres having affinity to this class of dyestuff. This includes acetate, acrylics, polyamides (nylon) and polyesters.