Transfers are the most convenient and reliable way to print on textile products. Since they can be made in advance, they are often used by tourist providers and online sellers of printed shirts.
Transfers, or ‘stickers’ as some like to call them, are durable, elastic, and soft to the touch. Their compactness and color shades depend on the manufacturing method and their intended use.
Transfers for cotton products and blends
Recently, the most popular are DTF transfers. The abbreviation DTF stands for ‘direct to film’. Special printers apply water-based ink for textile products directly onto the film. They then add powder (adhesive or binder), dry it all at a higher temperature, and the transfers are ready for use.
DTF printers most commonly use Epson heads, but there is a wide range available on the market. Larger printers allow for better prints and more accurate color generation. Smaller ones are slower and less precise. At Gajcom, we use a printer with a width of 60 cm, which allows us to print up to a width of 56 cm. The prints are vibrant and accurate in color, high resolution, and the printing process is relatively fast. The shades themselves depend on the prepared file and the printer settings. The final appearance of the transfers is also influenced by the consumables used. It matters which DTF color, film, and powder are used – results can vary significantly between different manufacturers.
After several months of testing various printers, colors, powders, and films, and especially after many tests of different settings, we have prepared a set of materials and of course methods for preparing transfers that our customers are satisfied with.
Printing with DTF transfers is possible on:
- white and colored shirts (cotton, polyester, and blends)
- sweatshirts and hoodies
- jackets, pants, and other clothing items
- bags and totes made of cotton or polyester
- umbrellas
- caps
- slippers
- and many other items you wouldn’t think could be printed on
DTF colors are water-based. The printer prints with CMYK colors and of course white, which enables the transfers to be used on colored and dark fabrics.
The film is usually coated on both sides, slightly matte, and suitable for hot peeling. Always follow the instructions provided with each order.
DTF material can be ordered through our online store.
The transfers can be ordered via email or through the web.
Sublimation is also a way of printing with transfers. Sublimation ink does not include white color, so we only sublimate on white or light products. The sublimation itself is suitable only for polyester products or those coated with polyester.
Sublimation is the softest print, as the color completely vaporizes into the product, and the print is not felt. At the same time, it’s an extremely durable print, of course, if you print correctly and on the cleanest possible polyester. On some products, colors might fade in the sun, but this depends on the products themselves, not the ink. For example, there are two types of photo panels (aluminum plates coated with photo coating that are easily sublimated). Those for indoor use have been tested for durability up to 100 years indoors (normal light exposure), but would fade in the sun. Therefore, there are also those for outdoor use, which have a slightly more expensive coating and are suitable for use on buildings and in general, as informational and directional signs.
Sublimation is primarily used to print flags, sports jerseys, and lanyards, but at Gajcom, we use sublimation for printing on pre-made t-shirts, umbrellas, jackets, bags, as well as some other products such as sublimation mugs, mouse pads, keychains, clocks, and other promotional products.
You can order transfers from us, which you then transfer onto products with the help of a heat press. You can also check out our offer of printers, presses and products for sublimation, and take on sublimation yourself.