Heat transfer printing for short heat transfer
The principle of heat transfer printing is similar to the technology of moving printing. In heat transfer printing, the printing paper is printed on paper with disperse dyes and printing ink first, and then the printing paper (also called transfer paper) is stored for the use of textile printing plant.
When the fabric is printed, through the heat transfer printing machine (as shown in Figure 9 to 10), the transfer paper and the non printing face are attached together. Under the condition of about 210 (400T), the dye is sublimated and transferred to the fabric at such high temperature. The printing process is completed without further processing. The process is relatively simple, and does not require professional knowledge such as roller printing or rotary screen printing. (see Figure 9 to 11).
Disperse dyes are the only dyes that can be sublimated and, in some sense, are the only dyes that can be used for heat transfer printing. Therefore, the process can only be used on fabrics made of fibers with affinity to these dyes, including acetate fiber, acrylonitrile, polyamide fiber (nylon) and polyester fiber.
In heat transfer printing, textile printing plant should purchase this printed paper from highly specialized printing paper manufacturer. The transfer paper can be printed on the basis of the requirements of the figure designer and customer (the present pattern can also be used for printing paper). The heat transfer printing can be used to print clothes (such as edge printing, chest pocket embroidery and so on). In this case, special designs should be used.
As a complete fabric printing method, thermal transfer printing stands out from the printing process. Therefore, it saves the use of large and expensive dryers, steamers, washers and dryers.
Because printing paper can be checked before printing, which eliminates flower and other defects. Therefore, there are few secondary products in the heat transfer printing fabric.
