Want to learn more about Digital Transfer Printing?
Digital transfer printing is perfect for when you need a complex design printed quickly and economically onto fabrics that are not suitable for other print methods.
The process is similar to vinyl printing. The main difference is that digital transfer printing is suitable for full-colour designs, whereas vinyl printing is only suitable for designs with one or two colours.
The benefit of the process is that it allows bespoke personalisation with numbers, names and job roles, making it the perfect print method for sports teams, university merchandise and uniforms for tradespeople.
Digital transfer printing is perfect for those requiring fast turnaround times and for printing onto non-conventional materials like high-visibility workwear, hard hats and synthetic fabrics.
Digital transfer prints can be created in a vast array of colours and are durable.
How digital transfer printing works
The process starts with your artwork being traced and applied to transfer paper. Then, using an industrial heat press, the transfer is applied to the garment. This is why you may hear them referred to as heat-pressed T-shirts or hoodies.
This process fuses the transfer to the garment rather than the ink being absorbed by the fabric, creating a vibrant and bold finish.
Digital transfer printing is the most appropriate solution for complex designs on non-conventional fabrics and is also effective at getting bright colours on darker fabrics.
What is the quality and durability of digital transfer printed clothing?
One of the most frequent questions that we receive from our customers in regards to transfer printing is whether the prints will crack or peel off, often because they’ve had bad experiences in the past.
High-quality digital transfers are a result of good quality materials and knowledgeable staff. We use the highest quality materials, industrial heat press machinery, and a team of printing experts. This ensures that our digital transfer prints will last the lifetime of the garment.
You can also help to ensure the durability of your digital transfer prints by following the wash instructions on the care label inside your garment.
What is the price of digital transfer printing?
Digital transfer printing is a very labour-intensive print method in comparison to other traditional customisation methods such as screen printing, DTG printing, and embroidery. As a result of the meticulous approach we take to quality, digital transfer printing is one of the most expensive print methods.
If ordering in bulk, you can expect a transfer printed T-shirt to cost approximately £9 per T-shirt.
Due to the slightly higher cost of transfer printing, we would only recommend this process for smaller orders of items such as softshell jackets or waterproof clothing where other print methods are not possible due to the fabric composition.
What does transfer printing feel like?
Digital transfer prints have a plastic feel to them. The print will have a raised surface and bold colours that stand out against the main garment colour; a popular style for football shirts and team uniforms.