Plastisol Transfers: Are They the Best Choice for Your Needs?
Ever dream of sporting a custom t-shirt design but felt intimidated by the thought of screen printing? Plastisol transfers are here to make your creative vision a reality!
These innovative transfers empower you to craft professional-looking garments at home using a heat press.
Whether you’re personalizing a one-of-a-kind shirt for yourself, creating a batch of team jerseys, or launching a small clothing line, plastisol transfers offer a convenient and effective solution. But are they the perfect match for your project?
This guide explores plastisol transfers‘ advantages, limitations, and creation processes to help you determine if they’re the ideal choice for your needs.
Plastisol Transfers Explained
Plastisol transfers embody a printing process that is exclusive to screen printing and transferable with the help of heat and pressure onto fabrics.
The process starts off with developing a particular type of screen, just like screen printing on a regular basis.
This screen serves as a template, which allows ink to flow through the selected areas and form the desired image.
On the other hand, notwithstanding the direct printing into the garment, exceptional heat transfer paper, printed with the same plastisol ink as the one used on the screen, is used to create the images.
The purpose of this sheet is to give the ink a temporary home until it is time for its final application. After the print has been made onto the transfer paper, the ink gets fixed by using the heat dryer to set it properly.
The process aims to create premade white plastisol transfers, which can be kept for some time until the design is finally heat-pressed onto the fabric.
Benefits of Plastisol Transfers
Here is a thing to know about, why plastisol is one of the most important inks to use for screen printing. Here are a few reasons to choose plastisol ink:
Plastisol emulsion, which gives high opacity
Undeniably, the major benefit of plastisol inks would be their ability to be screen printed on any colored fabric.
The main reason is that it contains such a high concentration of color pigment that the fabric’s color won’t be visible under it. They can also be pasted onto a dark cloth and examined as bright.
Plastisol inks are durable
When the curing process is complete, the plastisol inks become very durable and resist a lot of abuse, including the effects of friction and abrasion.
You won’t lose the image quality if you wash your plastisol-printed stuff over and over again that is why you don’t have to worry about it.
Concerning printing on t-shirts, the price of plastisol is less than that of many other shirt inks
If you want to save money on t-shirt printing, you should choose Plastisol ink screen print transfer. Gel ink is an inexpensive form of ink.
Having the right Pantone match with Plastisol is simple, as it works by mingling the ink in a vat of plastic
If you need a vibrant, exact color, plastisol inks are the answer. With just one click, you can select Pantone-matched ink for your job, which will give the desired color results.
Plastisol is utilized as the base for the ink for many specialty inks
For the best chance of having the right effect, glow-in-the-dark or metallic heat transfer ink, you probably need to use the plastisol method. They are opaque and durable, as this is in their nature.
Is There a Downside to Using Plastisol Transfers?
Although direct prints from plastisol help modern consumers, they have their flaws. Here are a few limitations to consider:
Cost
Compared to plastisol heat transfers, direct screen printing is initially pricey but becomes more cost-effective for the larger number of shirts ordered.
The beginning costs of purchasing all the equipment needed to make plastisol transfers, not to mention the materials, are higher.
Touch
Plastisol can be a bit more clunky in its feel due to being screen printed through a transfer. Thus, this configuration cannot be used for projects requiring a contiguous and unbroken expanse.
Complexity
Designing a premium plastisol screen requires a combination of special tools and skills. Few businesses provide ready-made versions, and it is not easy, as some screen printing skills are needed.
This level of complexity, however, may become a hindrance for businesses and individuals who lack appropriate resources and competence.
Tips to Make Screen Print Transfer with Plastisol Transfers
If you’re considering creating your own plastisol ink screen print transfer, here are some helpful tips:
Equipment
It’s very important to have a printing press that is capable of printing not only your design size but also your needs and requirements.
Make sure you sand the screen well and the image design is engraved correctly. Not only that but the process of making sure that the rheology of your plastisol ink is right for printing is also very important.
Design Optimization
In addition to being identical to your design, the transfer paper is of the right size and position on the transfer paper. Utilize register marks to make the design align with the garment precisely.
Transfer Powder
The indispensable stage is applying transfer powder to ensure ink is strongly attached to the fabric. Use fine, even dusting, to prevent clumping and from licing the design.
Heat Press Settings
Be sure to keep the recommended temperature, time, and pressure settings for your transfer paper and garment material as per your brand.
Check the temperature of the heat press with a thermometer to ensure you have it right. In this way, you’ll learn how to make screen print transfers efficiently.
Test Run
Test printing is an integral tool for exposing any design issues regarding process and design. This paves the way for you to find out and correct your mistakes before you end up with problems during your final project.
Precautions
Do work away from the area where you will be using plastisol inks and transfer powders since they release fumes when heated in a well-ventilated space.
Use the earlier prescribed protective gear, i.e., gloves and goggles, to stop direct contact with skin and eye irritation.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Plastisol Prints
Plastisol ink is one of the most used varieties when making expressive and outspoken imprints on customized clothing.
However, proper considerations are necessary for your designs to stay flawless. Here’s how to get the most out of your plastisol prints:
Choose the Perfect Ink
Not all plastisol ink screen print transfer products on the market are identical! The intended output is good for some but not clear for others. A proper custom apparel business should help you determine the ideal kind of ink for your project.
Partner with a Screen Printing Pro
Screen printing as a technique with plastisol needs to be in the hands of a specialist. Working with a professional printer guarantees high-level output.
Ultra-budget printers, especially those sold in DIY stores, default to plastisol inks, which makes printouts peel off and even crack over time, which is the counter purpose for durable ink.
Care for Your Garments
The famous quality of Plastisol is its durability; hence, it also needs some care. Proper care, including precise ironing, is the key detail. Always follow the garment’s care instructions. Avoiding ironing the print right on saves its integrity.
How to Make Custom Plastisol Transfers
Creating custom plastisol transfers involves several vital steps to ensure a high-quality, durable result. Here’s how to do it:
- Design Creation: Use graphics design software to create your design in vector format for optimal quality. Ensure the design is sized correctly for the intended application.
- Printing: Print the design onto special transfer paper using a compatible printer and high-quality ink. This will ensure a high-resolution, professional-looking transfer.
- Preparation: Preheat your heat press machine to the recommended temperature for plastisol transfers.
- Transfer Application: Place the printed transfer paper onto the fabric with the printed side facing out. Press the heat press firmly for the specified time and then release the pressure.
- Cooling: Allow the transfer to cool completely before gently peeling off the transfer paper. This cooling process helps the ink adhere properly to the fabric.
- Final Cure: Cover the transfer with a silicone or Teflon sheet and press again for a few seconds. This final step ensures the transfer is fully cured and durable.
- Finished Product: Your custom plastisol transfer is ready to apply to garments or other items. Any excess transfer should be trimmed before sewing to avoid a messy finish.
To Summarize
Plastisol transfers ensure that the garments created for individuals without complicated pattern instructions can be printed.
They excel when it comes to small runs, quick turnaround times, and amazing t-shirts with vibrant colors. Their T-shirts are also known for great durability.
On the other hand, such customization might not be the most affordable selection for big volumes and, finally, might create a different touch compared to direct printing.
Whether plastisol screen printing is right for you depends on your target needs and the size of the project you are working on. Look into the highlighted variables to make a quality decision.
If you’re an individual or a small business owner searching for a quick and effective method of customizing garments in smaller volumes, then plastisol transfers are the way to go!
About the Author!
Lisa Warner is a skilled content writer and author known for her engaging storytelling. With a degree in English Literature, she creates captivating narratives across various genres, captivating readers worldwide. She has penned numerous insightful blogs on screen printing, showcasing her expertise in this specialized field.
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