One of the easiest and most versatile methods of decoration on a t-shirt is heat transfer printing. This process applies vinyl or a similar material with adhesive backing onto fabric using heat. The right amount of pressure and temperature applied using a heat press will ensure your design sticks well. Since all fabrics react differently to heat transfer, it is good to understand how each fabric type handles the process. In this blog, we will focus our attention on three of the most popular fabrics used in making t-shirts. These fabrics include Ring-Spun Cotton, Poly/Cotton Blends, and Triblends.
Heat Transfer on Ring-Spun Cotton
Due to its durability and printability, cotton is one of the go-to fabrics in the apparel industry. In any case, ring-spun cotton stands out as an option. The surface is smooth and tightly woven, reducing stray fibers, and making it an ideal printing surface. This allows for excellent ink adhesion and durability, hence bright and long-lasting designs. Moreover, resilience in the fabric allows it to be flexible with heat press settings where it can bear variable times and temperatures.
Cotton/Polyester Blends
Because this is usually a blend of 60% cotton and 40% polyester, one should be very cautious with the use of heat. Polyester can scorch easily if the heat applied is too high. These blends balance comfort and durability well, where the softness of cotton is combined with the strength of polyester. To avoid damage to such fabrics, always apply transfers using lower heat settings on these blends.
Heat Transfer on Triblend Fabrics
Triblend t-shirts are very soft and are made up of 50% polyester, 25% ring-spun cotton, and 25% rayon. The rayon, since it is used commonly as a replacement for silk, makes the material soft but with heat transfer vinyl printing, is tough to work with. This material tends to scorch under high heat; therefore, a low-temperature heat transfer material should be recommended. For best results, one must make sure the heat press carries a heated lower platen. This not only helps in the curing of the adhesive from underneath but also prevents scorch marks or even press lines on the top side of the garment.
Conclusion
Heat transfer printing is an extremely stable method for customizing many kinds of fabrics. Ring-spun cotton, poly/cotton blends, and tri-blends are just a few examples of products each having their advantages and difficulties when applying heat transfers. Adjust time, temperature, and technique to achieve a flawless finished product. Ready to start your heat transfer printing project? Buy high-quality T-shirts and other apparel from Lucky Wholesale for the best deals for your business today and explore new horizons.
