What Are Plastisol Transfers
Plastisol Transfers are basically screen printed designs that are printed on a special heat transfer (release) paper instead of screen printing the design directly to a garment. Once the design is screen printed onto the paper, the printed heat transfer papers are shipped to you so you can put them on t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, etc with a heat press.
How Are Plastisol Transfers Made
Unlike inkjet transfers, plastisol transfers can't be printed at home with an inkjet printer, they must be printed by a professional screen printer that specializes in custom plastisol transfers. The minimums for screen printed transfers can be MUCH lower than a traditional screen printed shirt. I've seen minimums as low as 8 "sheets", however your costs will go down as your quantities purchased go up.
Can I Use My Own Designs with Plastisol Trasnfers
Plastisol transfers can either be stock designs (artwork provided by the transfer company) or custom (your own custom design that you provide).
What Color and Type of T-Shirts Can I Use with Plastisol Transfers
They can be used to decorate dark colored t-shirts or light colored garments, 100% cotton, 50/50, Nylon and other garment types.
What Type of Different Plastisol Transfers Are There?
Plastisol Transfers can be applied to a garment several different ways:
Cold Peel: Applied with a heat press and peeled off once the transfer is cooled. Usually has a glossy look.
Hot Peel: Applied with a heat press and peeled immediately after pressing, while the transfer is still hot. Usually has more of a matte look.
Hot Split: Applied with a heat press and peeled immediately after pressing, while the transfer it hot. Some of the ink transfers to the t-shirt and some of the ink stays on the transfer paper causing a "split". This is supposed to give the final design the softest hand with a matte finish.
What Type of Special Printing Methods Can Be Done with Plastisol Transfers
Several of the specialty printing techniques done by traditional screen printers can be done with custom plastisol transfers. This includes (but is not limited to): puff printing, glitter printing, foil printing, four color process screen printing, sparkle printing, etc.
What Is the Quality of Plastisol Transfers
Out of inkjet printed transfers, vinyl transfers, laser printed transfers and opaque transfers, plastisol transfers have the highest print quality and best durability of them all.
Where Can I Get Custom Plastisol Transfers Made
There are many companies that can custom screen print plastisol transfers for you. You can find a
list of several of these custom transfer companies posted in the first post of this past forum discussion.
What if I REALLY Want to Make My Own Plastisol Transfers:
You can't make plastisol transfers at home with your inkjet/laser printer. You would need to buy screen printing equipment (like the same equipment screen printers use to print directly to t-shirts).
If you already have screen printing equipment, this should help:
This article should help:
Printing Plastisol Transfers
And this one:
International Coatings -- Transfer Products (Screen Printing Products)
Here's an instructional DVD:
U.S. Screen Print & Inkjet Technology | Making Plastisol Transfers
Here's another article:
U.S. Screen Print & Inkjet Technology | Making Plastisol Heat Transfers Do You Have Any Pictures of What Plastisol Transfers Might Look Like?
Funny you should ask. I just so happen to have a few before and after pictures right over here. Keep in mind that these photos were taken by a
heat press newbie (yours truly), so they make not be perfectly done
Did I miss anything?
Stay tuned for my the test results of my first plastisol transfer samples from various companies:
a review of 8 different custom plastisol transfer screen printers - samples followup