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what is a plastisol (silk screen printed) heat transfer: a definition

[PLASTISOL TRANSFERS] -  
267K views 181 replies 93 participants last post by  splathead 
#1 · (Edited)
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.

Here's another list: http://www.t-shirtforums.com/plastisol-transfers/t77081.html

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:
http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-crossover-diary-heat-press-newbie/t13454.html
 

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#96 ·
Well, I'm new to this and I think plastisol is something I'm going to be trying on my next large order.
Something I don't understand is:
If 4 color printing is Full Color and another color is required for dark shirts (white) then why do these places offer 6+ color prints in their price guides??
5 colors should do everything, right?
Are there other options that might count as a color? glitter etc..?
Another Q, is an all white image for a black shirt only one color?

Thanks
Michael
 
#97 ·
If 4 color printing is Full Color and another color is required for dark shirts (white) then why do these places offer 6+ color prints in their price guides??
Because spot colour looks better than four colour process.

That's why even now, when four colour process offset printing is so completely and utterly ubiquitous, designers who want a high end business card still use spot colour.

The same is true of textile printing, only more so (since the resolution textile printing is capable of is not as high as offset printing on paper).

Are there other options that might count as a color? glitter etc..?
That too - full colour + a white underbase + a glitter ink highlight = six colours.

Another Q, is an all white image for a black shirt only one color?
Yes.
 
#104 ·
I found lots of sources to buy stock plastisol transfers, but havent found anything on companies that I can outsource pressing on the shirts. Rather than use my employees, I'm thinking may be better off just outsourcing it. About 100 piece orders. any ideas?
 
#111 ·
Hello,

I have some quick questions about plastisol transfers;
can you get them with a soft feel?
do bigger graphics mean you'll get a rigid shirt?
do these crack and/or peel off like other transfers or do they 'bind' with the fabric like regular screen printing? (I know plastisol 'sits' on the fabric, but it kinda binds in too, right)
Seeing how these are printed on transfer paper and not directly onto textile, can you get finer lpi with these?

Hope I'm not asking something that's been asked a million times before :)
 
#112 · (Edited)
Hello,

I have some quick questions about plastisol transfers;
can you get them with a soft feel?
do bigger graphics mean you'll get a rigid shirt?
do these crack and/or peel off like other transfers or do they 'bind' with the fabric like regular screen printing? (I know plastisol 'sits' on the fabric, but it kinda binds in too, right)
Seeing how these are printed on transfer paper and not directly onto textile, can you get finer lpi with these?
Transfers inherit the same characteristics as direct print. If you can get a soft direct print, then you can get a soft transfer. The darker the garment, the more layers of ink, the thicker the print. But that's true with direct print too.

You can theoretically get a finer line screening to paper than on the garment, but it's gonna get lost when you do the transfer. :)
 
#123 ·
I would like to print a logo for a spare tire cover for my ladies jeep. My questions are is the plastisol transfer the best method for transfering onto a denim or vinyl cover? If not what is? the logo is a john deere logo so it wouldn't be more than three colors. size would be 13x19. any help would be appreciated I am definetely a newb on the subject
 
#125 ·
I would like to print a logo for a spare tire cover for my ladies jeep. My questions are is the plastisol transfer the best method for transfering onto a denim or vinyl cover? If not what is?
You're much better off either just buying a licensed John Deere tire cover or contacting a company that specializes in tire covers (there are plenty). Unless you already have the equipment and supplies (and your question suggests you do not), buying one would be cheaper and better.

But to specifically answer your question: plastisol for denim is okay although I'm not sure how it would hold up outdoors, probably about as well as the denim; and sign ink for vinyl.
 
#127 ·
SO BETWEEN THIS 2 WAYS OF DOING IT,IF ITS PEEL THE SAME WAY,HOW DO YOU MAKE ALL THE INK SATY ON THE SHIRT?
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.
 
#130 ·
Well according to this International Coatings -- Transfer Products (Screen Printing Products) the terms are used interchangeably.

But I have received samples before of each from the same transfer printer. The hot split one left more ink on the paper than the hot peel.

My theory is hot peel can have a white underbase and be used on dark garments and hot split has no underbase and is intended for light garments only? Just a guess.
 
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