What Are Plastisol Transfers

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