Vinyl or Digital Heat Transfer
Before you decide to create a T-Shirt, it is beneficial to understand which printing technique to use.
T-shirt printing using Heat transfer printing has been around for decades and it is a widely used method to decorate apparel. We use a heat press machine and vinyl films to transfer graphics or designs onto a shirt.
Today, we shall talk about the difference between Digital Heat transfer and Vinyl Heat transfer. Both primarily use a heat press machine.
Vinyl Heat Transfer Printing
Vinyl heat transfers involve the use of single coloured vinyl paper. First, a design is created using a special software. Next, a cutter machine plot and cut out the designs on the vinyl film. Lastly, it has to undergo a manual weeding process. In printing context, weeding means the process of removing excess vinyl films such that the design is ready. It is done manually using special weeding tools or physically with hands. Lastly, the weeded vinyl film is flipped and pressed onto the shirt with the aid of the heat press machine.
Find out more in this video below :
Vinyl Heat Transfer paper usually comes in a roll of homogeneous single coloured film. Basic colours such as Black, Red, Yellow, White are common colours which printers usually carry. At TJG Print, we have a wide variety of colours to choose from (Enquire with us on availability). We also offer popular special colours like Metallic Gold, Holographic and Metallic Rainbow and Neon Pink.
Another key ingredient is the quality of the film. For films there are different tiers of quality too.
Mainly there are two types of vinyl material – PU and PVC.
Polyurethane (PU) heat transfer is made of 100% polyurethane (TPU) elastic material. The advantages and disadvantages are:
Advantages
- Budget and cost-friendly for bulk orders especially for customised name and numbers
- Cheapest option for basic customise order in small quantity
- Thinner
- Softer
- Flexible
- Can print on various materials
Disadvantages
- Durability. Can peel over time
- Recommend to hand wash (not advisable for machine wash)
- Limited colour range
Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) material is made of polychlorinated (PVC) and polyurethane (TPU) materials. PVC vinyl films are thicker and inflexible, making it feel rigid on the shirt. Finishes are mostly matte.
Advantages
- Ideal for large lettering or numbers design, e.g.: Jersey Numbers
- Cheaper
Disadvantages
- Feels heavy if a large design is printed
- Can feel the printed film on the shirt
- Recommend to hand wash (not advisable for machine wash)
- Less durable than PU Films
- Limited colour range
TJG Print uses superior PU Vinyl Film. The material is thin which makes it flexible and stretchable. This film is very light-weight, making the print with the shirt feels like one piece. Also, the print does not peel or crack easily when stretched or washed. As a result, the shirt is comfortable to wear. Many Singapore printing companies use PVC Vinyl film which is heavy and less durable. PVC films are thicker which creates a heavy and uncomfortable feeling if one is to print big designs such as jersey numbers.
Vinyl heat transfer printing is good for non-complicated designs such as basic shapes, text or numbers. They are available in libraries of colours and one can choose to have a matte or shiny finish.
However, one of the restrictions is that vinyl films can only produce a design in one colour at any time. If there is more than one colour, the other colours will have to be printed correspondingly over the other vinyl colour or using digital heat transfer print. A good recommendation of print will be personalised names and numbers on t-shirts and jerseys. This makes it a great choice for sports jerseys as well as class T-shirts.
Printing Class T-shirts in Singapore with personalised names and numbers need not be expensive! We have student promotion rates as cheap as $9. Request for quote or chat with us today !
Digital Heat Transfer Printing
Digital heat transfer is similar to printing a photograph or full coloured design onto a shirt.
The technique and process is very similar to vinyl heat transfer printing. Firstly, a high resolution and clear design (above 300 dpi) is required for accurate and vibrant coloured finishing. The design is created using software. Secondly, the “print and cut” machine does both jobs of applying coloured ink onto a special heat transfer film and finishes off by cutting out the contour shape of the design. Thirdly, it has to undergo a manual weeding process to remove excess vinyl films. It is done manually using special weeding tools or physically with hands. Fourthly, a sticky transparent film and a squeegee is required to extract and transfer the printed design over. Lastly, with the stick on film, it is transferred onto the shirt with the aid of the heat press machine.
The finishing results are smooth and the bleeding line is almost invisible depending on the shirt and design colour.
Dimensions of design and complexity of designs are the cost factor for digital heat transfer. The bigger the design, the more expensive it is. Drop us a message today for a quote!
Advantages
- Versatile and can be printed on various materials
- Cost effective for small quantities with multiple-colour designs
- Able to print gradient effect and unlimited colours
Disadvantages
- Durability
- Colours fading over time
- Expensive for bigger designs (A4 and A3)
- Labour intenstive due to peeling and weeding process
- Bleeding line around the design may not be so appealing
Durability of Vinyl Heat Transfer & Digital Heat Transfer Printing
With delicate care and proper maintenance, a printed shirt is able to withstand the test of time with 30-50 washes or more.
General wash care tips:
– Wash your t-shirt inside out
– Do not iron over print
– Using high temperature water can cause your printed shirts to peel or crack
– Do not bleach as they contain harmful chemicals that may react with vinyl
More Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ) can be found here.
Other than T-Shirts, you can also customize other promotional items available on our catalogue:
What Is The Lead Time?
At TJG Print, our lead time for heat transfer printing services is less than 10 working days from the time your order is confirmed. Express printing can be done within 2 days.
What is the Minimum Order?
For Vinyl Heat Transfer Print, no minimum is required. (Basic names & numbers eg. Abc 123)
For Digital Heat Transfer Print, minimum of 10 pieces is required.
What Other Print Methods We Offer?
Digital Heat Transfer Print VS Direct To Film DTF Print
Direct To Film DTF Printing is a newly invented printing technology which makes digital heat transfer printing less of a preferred printing choice. Both print methods outcome are very similar but “behind the scene” process makes DTF printing look like a chicken feet.
The process of Digital Heat Transfer printing can be very tedious and laborious due to the extra weeding and peeling steps. If you watch the digital heat transfer print video we introduced earlier, you will understand the hassle. DTF Printing skips the weeding and peeling as the inks are directly printed onto the films.
DTF Printing is capable of printing intricate designs and small wordings approximately 2mm. Unlike digital heat transfer print, there will be bleeding lines around the design or wordings which may not be so appealing.
However, we cannot rule Digital Heat Transfer printing as a print method out as they are still capable of printing certain products.
Recommendations
Depending on your requirements, for single coloured designs like names and numbers which are often seen at the back of sports jerseys or class t-shirts, we recommend Vinyl heat transfer.
For full multi-coloured images or design, we recommend digital heat transfer. Otherwise, if using lesser colours and larger quantities, a more recommended print will be Silkscreen Printing.
Alternatively, for full customisation, you can consider custom made service with sublimation printing
For further clarifications and enquiries, drop us a message on Whatsapp or email us at sales@tjg.sg.