Transfer Products
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Hot Peel or Hot Split Transfers
"Hot peel" or "hot split" refers to transfers
made by peeling away the transfer paper immediately after they
are applied in the transfer press - or while they are still
hot. Both hot peel and hot split are used interchangeably. Hot
split transfers split the ink film between the paper and the
fabric after heat and pressure are applied. As the paper is
peeled from the fabric, some of the ink remains on the transfer
paper while the majority melts into the fabric. This splitting
of the ink film produces a very soft, breathable print when
using standard opacity inks. Some types of transfer inks melt
almost entirely into the fabric and leave very little, if any,
residual ink on the paper. The paper and/or the ink used, along
with application time, temperature and pressure of the heat
seal machine, all govern whether the ink melts entirely into
the fabric or not. Hot peel transfers that release almost the
entire ink film may not be quite as soft and breathable as hot
split transfers. The difference between these products may in
fact be too slight to notice in some applications.
A variety of papers are recommended for printing hot split
or hot peel transfers. These range from non-coated papers to
specialty-coated papers. Both types perform well, but the specially
coated papers are usually more forgiving to the novice transfer
printer. The better release of the coated paper, as compared
to a non-coated paper, allows for a slight over gelation of
the inks. Gelation is the term used for partial fusing (surface
drying) of the inks when printed. Over gelation of the inks,
when printing transfers, can cause poor release, spotty transfers,
or poor adhesion. To print transfers, inks must be gelled between
each color (not printed wet on wet as in direct printing). Gelation
temperatures range from 225°F to 275°F (107°C to
135°C) depending on ink film thickness, and the ink being
used. Properly gelled ink is dry to the touch and should break
apart easily if removed from the paper. If ink is severely under
gelled and stored before application, plasticizer (an ingredient
in the ink) may exude from the ink and form a clear uneven border
around the outside of the print on the paper. If this exudation
occurs, it is a sign that the transfer is losing an ingredient
needed for proper adhesion and fusing. Adding too much reducer
to the transfer ink may exacerbate this problem. The final fusing
of a transfer ink occurs when the transfer is applied to the
garment.
NOTE: Fusing is the proper term for
"drying" plastisol inks. Curing is a generally accepted
term when referring to the drying of plastisol inks, but is
really what happens to most water or solvent based inks when
heated or catalyzed.
It is important to only use papers designed for transfer printing,
because they are usually more temperature stable than conventional
bond papers. This is very important when printing hot split,
multicolor transfers. Papers tend to shrink when heat is applied
to them. Since hot split transfers need to be butt registered
(colors touch or almost touch each other but do not overlap),
too much shrinkage will lead to poor registration. Poor registration,
in turn, leads to noticeable gaps between colors in hot split
transfers, or muddy looking colors where colors overlap. It
is important to preheat transfer paper before printing multicolor
transfers and to keep the paper warm between colors until the
job is finished. Many printers use hot boxes - a cabinet that
is heated to 120°F to 130°F (49°C to 54°C),
to store printed paper overnight or between colors.
Hot split or hot peel inks are plastisol inks that have a lower
melt point than standard plastisol inks. The lower melt point
allows the inks to release or split quickly from the paper and
to penetrate into the garment. This gives the inks a very soft
hand and excellent durability. International Coatings has developed
an additive, Quick Trans 500, which can be added to its Multipurpose,
700 Series and 1100 Series Plastisols to convert them to hot
split or hot peel transfer inks. The mixed inks will work on
non-coated or specially coated transfer papers. The ratio of
ink to additive is 3 to 4 parts ink, to 1 part additive. For
light colored fabrics, mixed Quick Trans 500 inks should be
printed through a 110 to 305 monofilament screen mesh. To achieve
a more opaque color, use the 500 additive with HP (High Pigment)
colors printed through 60 to 86 monofilament screen mesh. The
screen mesh selected should be based on the detail of the design
being printed and the type (T-shirt, or sweatshirt) and color
of fabric to which the transfer is being applied. Use a 60 to
70 durometer squeegee (hardness of squeegee blade) with a sharp
edge. The ink deposit should be about 3 to 4 mils (ink film
thickness after gelling) for light colored fabrics. For darker
fabrics, a 6 to 10 mil film thickness is necessary.
Transfer application times for both coated and non-coated papers
will range from 4 to 7 seconds with medium pressure (40 lbs
on most air operated transfer machines) at 375°F to 400°F
(191°C to 204°C). Peel transfer hot. Correctly calibrated
transfer machines are an important part of the transfer process.
If transfers do not apply properly, don't forget to check the
transfer machine, as well as your printing and transferring
procedures.
Opaque Hot Peel Transfers
Opaque transfers should be printed using International Coatings
500 Series Opaque inks. These inks were specifically formulated
for making very opaque hot peel transfers. They will make a
better opaque transfer than the high pigment, 500 additive combination.
The 500 Series inks work best on the specially coated hot peel
transfer papers. They require lower gelation temperatures (180°F
to 225°F or 82°C to 107°C) than a standard mixed
hot peel transfer ink. Application time is 3 to 7 seconds with
medium pressure, at 375°F to 400°F (191°C to 204°C).
For further information on this product see International Coatings
product bulletin on the 500 Series Opaque Transfer Inks.
Puff Hot Peel Transfers
Use International Coatings' 300 Series Puff Transfer Inks to
achieve hot peel puff transfers. 300 Series inks should be printed
through a 60 to 110 monofilament screen mesh using a 60 to 75
durometer squeegee with a sharp or beveled edge. Use non-coated
or specially coated hot peel transfer papers. Gelation temperatures
are very important when using this ink. The gelation temperature
range is 180°F to 200°F (82°C to 107°C). Over
gelation of this ink may cause the ink to puff on the paper,
or not release properly. International Coatings #303 adhesive
powder must be applied to the ink while it is still wet, to
give the ink proper adhesion and durability on the garment.
The powder adhesive is usually applied by dipping the wet transfer
in a box of adhesive or by sprinkling. Shake off the excess
adhesive and run through the dryer at the proper temperatures.
Brush off excess powder adhesive with a soft brush after the
transfer exits the dryer. For multicolor puff transfers, each
color of puff must be coated with the powder adhesive. Application
time is 3 to 7 seconds with medium pressure, at 375°F to
400°F (191°C to 204°C). Peel transfer while hot.
NOTE: If the transfer does not puff
properly, it is usually because of over gelation.
Cold Peel Transfers
International Coatings Multipurpose, 700, 1100 or 500 Series
Plastisols can be used to make cold peel transfers. The inks
should be printed straight from the container on a coated, cold
peel release paper. The most common cold peel paper is known
as T-75, Transfert-75 or French paper. Parchment paper can also
be used, especially where it might be helpful to see through
the paper. Parchment paper is best suited for one-color transfers
since it shrinks considerably when heated. When ordering paper
for cold peel transfers, make sure to specify cold peel application.
Inks can be printed through a 61 to 160 monofilament screen
mesh. The screen mesh used will depend on design detail and
the ink being used. Glitter inks should be printed through 16T
to 25T monofilament mesh for best results. The gelation temperature
for Multipurpose, 700 and 1100 Series inks is 225°F to 275°F
(107°C to 135°C). The gelation temperature for the 500
Series inks used as a cold peel ink is 180°F to 225°F
(82°C to 107°C). Use a 60 to 70 durometer squeegee with
a sharp to rounded edge. The squeegee edge used will depend
on the ink being printed, detail of the design and ink deposit
required. Colors for cold peel transfers can be overlapped,
because the ink is not split when applied. Poor adhesion and/or
elongation (stretch) may result from over gelation of the inks.
Adhesive powders, such as International Coatings 304 powder
adhesive, can be sprinkled on wet ink and gelled for better
adhesion to problem fabrics such as polyester. Make sure to
brush off excess adhesive from the gelled transfer to prevent
adhesive spotting on dark fabrics. Quick Trans 500 additive
can be added to the cold peel inks to give a little better release
and a softer hand. The ratio is 6 to 8 parts ink to 1 part 500
additive.
Completed transfers are applied at 350°F to 375°F (178°C
to 191°C), for 10 to 15 seconds, medium pressure. Cold peel
transfers, when made correctly, can be very durable. If they
are not, it is usually due to over gelation or poor application
procedures. Since the entire ink film is removed from the cold
peel transfer when applied, they are not as breathable and soft
as most hot peel hot split transfers.
Foil Transfers
Two adhesives are recommended for making foil transfers. 3801LF
is a plastisol foil adhesive and is used for foil applications
on cotton, cotton/polyester blends and 100% polyester fabrics.
3901LF is a water-base foil adhesive. It can be used on cotton,
cotton/polyester blends, some nylons, Lycra-Spandex, and leather.
It is important to test adhesion and durability of these products
before beginning a production run. Both of these adhesives can
be directly printed to the garment for foil applications.
3801LF-plastisol foil adhesive should be printed through a
60 to 110 monofilament screen mesh. Use a 65 to 70 durometer
squeegee with a sharp edge. The adhesive, when used for making
foil transfers, should be printed on the dull, silver side of
the foil, mirror image. Gel the adhesive on the foil at 250°F
to 275°F (121°C to 135°C). Since this is a heat
activated adhesive, gelation temperatures are not as critical
as they are with hot peel transfers. Application temperature
is 325°F to 350°F (163°C to 178°C). Try 325°F
(163°C) first, for best results. Application time is 10
to 15 seconds. Wait till the transfer cools before removing
the foil carrier sheet. When doing the foil application as a
transfer only, it is suggested that the garment be preheated
for 5 seconds before the transfer is applied. This will remove
any moisture from the fabric. For more information, refer to
International Coatings' product bulletin on 3801LF.
3901LF water-base foil adhesive should be printed through a
60 to 86 monofilament screen mesh coated with a water-resistant
stencil or emulsion. This product can be air-dried or heat cured
at 250°F (121°C). The ink, when used for making foil
transfers, should be printed on the dull silver side of the
foil, mirror image. 3901LF-waterbase adhesive will dry quickly
in the screen if left unattended for any time. Leave screen
flooded with adhesive between prints and use International Coatings
416 or 415 Retarder on warm days. Immediately clean the screen
with water and a cleaner such as Formula 409 after use. Once
the adhesive has set up, (dried) in the screen, it is very difficult
to remove.
NOTE: For greater durability, garments
with applied foil transfers should be hand or machined washed
(delicate cycle) inside out and line or air-dried.
NYLON TRANSFERS
Nylon transfers can be made using International Coatings 900
series inks (with no catalyst), 210 solvent based adhesive and
290T heat resistant silicone paper. The 900 Series inks should
be printed through a 110 to 125 monofilament screen mesh and
completely fused at 325°F to 375°F (163°C to 191°C)
on the 290T paper. The ink must be completely fused so that
it resists the solvent in the 210 adhesive. The 210 adhesive
is then printed over the 900 ink. The adhesive must overlap
the entire printed ink film by at least 1/32". It is the
210 adhesive that bonds the ink to the nylon, so it must cover
the whole ink film, and form a slight border a outside the edges
of the design. The 210 adhesive should be printed through a
61-monofilament screen mesh coated with a solvent resistant
emulsion. Use a 65 to 80 durometer squeegee. Completely fuse
the adhesive at the same temperatures as the ink. Colors may
overlap each other (as with a cold peel transfer) and should
be dried between each color. The 290T paper is necessary for
proper performance of the transfer. It has an excellent release
and will not break down from the high heat needed to make nylon
transfers. Use International Coatings # 275 thinner for cleaning
and thinning the 210 adhesive. With the 900 inks, use mineral
spirits or plastisol screen wash to wash up.
When heat sealing finished transfers to nylon, it is recommended
that the fabric be preheated for 5 seconds at 325°F to 375°F
(163°C to 191°C) to remove surface moisture and wrinkles.
Depending on the stability of the nylon to heat, try lower application
temperatures for best results. Place the transfer in position
and heat seal for 10 to 15 seconds at 325°F to 375°F
(163°C to 191°C). After heat sealing and before removing
transfer, immediately rub the hot transfer with a cloth to eliminate
bubbling. Be careful not to rub too hard or the transfer may
move before cooling. Remove transfer when cool. An edge of adhesive
may show around applied nylon transfers on darker fabrics. Testing
must be conducted to determine the suitability of any transfer
for nylon applications.
NOTE: Use proper precautions and adequate
ventilation when using the 210 adhesive and 275 thinner.
