What is transfer printing?

Transfer printing is a printing technology that transfers the graphics on the intermediate carrier to the substrate using the appropriate pressure. It can be divided into water transfer, gas transfer, heat transfer and so on.

I. The Types of Transfer Printing

1. Water transfer printing

As known as a more environmentally friendly and efficient printing and production technology, water transfer printing uses water pressure and an activator to dissolve and transfer the release layer on the water transfer printing carrier film.

There are two types of water transfer printing technology, one is the water labeling transfer technology, the other is the water cubic transfer technology, the former is mainly to complete the transfer of text and portrait patterns, while the latter is used for complete transfer printing on the entire product surface. Cubic transfer technology uses a water-based film that is easily dissolved in water to carry graphics. Due to the excellent tension of the water-based film, it easily wraps around the surface of the product to form a pattern layer, and the surface of the product is painted to give it a completely different appearance. Cubic transfer technology can cover colored patterns on any shaped workpiece, solve the problem of printing on three-dimensional products, and in the printing process, since the product surface does not need to contact the printing film, it can avoid damaging the product surface and its integrity.

2. Heat transfer printing

Heat transfer printing is a technology that prints patterns onto heat-resistant adhesive paper, and through heating and pressurization, the pattern of the ink layer is printed onto the finished material. Printing with heat transfer film can make multi-color patterns at one step without the need for color registration, and simple equipment can also print realistic patterns.

Heat transfer coating is a colorless, pure, and transparent polymer material mainly composed of acrylic resin, plus some other resin composite,compounded with other resins. It has the characteristics of high hardness and strong adhesion and is suitable for the surface of high-temperature resistant materials such as ceramics, stone, and metal. The heat transfer effect is clear, colorful, expressive, good degree of reproduction, and the original image effect is truly conveyed.

3. Gas transfer printing

Gas transfer printing is a printing method that uses dispersible dye ink to print a designed pattern on transfer paper. The transfer paper can be tightly wrapped and covered on the product surface to be printed. Then, it is placed in a high-temperature baking process under normal pressure. The dispersible dye ink on the pattern will sublime at a lower temperature, complete gasification transfer, and make the material expand due to heat expansion, and the dispersible dye ink condensed on the surface will increase its vapor pressure and penetrate into the inner layer of the product to print.Gas transfer printing allows for full coverage of the cups and bottles, including the curved parts of bottom and body of the cup. At the same time, gas transfer printing technology can realize multi-color printing on the cups and bottles, which improves the printing quality and decorative effect of the water bottles.

II. What are the advantages of transfer printing?

High precision: Transfer printing can realize high-precision printing and decoration, and can print complex patterns and text onto the cups and bottles, improving the aesthetics and added value of the cups and water bottles.

Diversification:Transfer printing can achieve diversified printing and decoration, which can be personalized and customized according to customers’ needs and requirements, improving the differentiation and competitiveness of the bottles.

Stable quality:Transfer printing can realize stable quality printing and decoration, which can avoid color difference, offset, blurring and other problems in the process of printing and decoration, and improve the printing quality and decorative effect of the cups.

High production efficiency: Transfer printing can realize efficient printing and decoration, complete a large number of bottles printing and decoration in a short period of time, improve the production efficiency and economic benefits of cups and bottles.

Environmental protection and health: The printing and decorative materials used in transfer printing have the characteristics of environmental protection and health, which can avoid pollution and harm to the human body and the environment.

In general, transfer printing can realize the personalized customization of water bottles, according to the customer needs and requirements for the printing and decoration of patterns and text, improve the aesthetics of the bottles and value-added at the same time, but also enhance the personalization and differentiation of the cups and bottles. With the continuous improvement of consumer demand for the aesthetics and personalization of cups and bottles, the application of transfer printing will become more and more widespread. At the same time, with the continuous development and innovation of transfer printing, the application of transfer printing in the field of cups and bottles will be more and more diversified and efficient. Therefore, for the water bottles manufacturers, mastering transfer printing, continuously innovating and improving the application level of transfer printing will be an important means to improve the competitiveness and market share of cups and bottles.