What is the technique
Transfer printing or sublimation printing transfers an image using heat and pressure onto a fabric or other materials through a substrate. The heat and pressure causes the dye to change into vapour which is then transferred onto the fabric and eventually solidifies into the dye again upon cooling.
To create designs, there are a couple of ways to achieve it. Dry transfer uses fabric crayons to create designs on the paper. Wet transfer has two ways to design. The direct way uses fabric dyes that is painted onto objects and which are then directly stamped onto paper to create patterns. The indirect way of creating patterns is painting a whole sheet of paper which is laid on top of objects and the dye would be transferred to the surrounding areas that are not covered by the objects. Digital printing is another option for more meticulous and intricate designs which requires one to simply design on a software then printing it out on a transfer paper.
What are the relevant materials needed for the technique
Baking paper, paper, transfer paper for digital transfer, fabric (polyester) or wood, fabric dyes, fabric crayons, iron, heat press machine and objects for stamping/ pattern-making.
How to achieve the technique
Transfer printing first requires designing on a sheet of paper. Using an iron or heat press machine, first place a sheet of baking paper down; then the fabric; and lastly the designed side of the paper must be placed facedown against the fabric. Another sheet of baking paper is laid on top, then an iron or a heat press machine is used to heat the dye for transfer. When using an iron, it takes a couple of minutes for the ink to heat up and transfer onto polyester but for a heat press machine it takes about 35 seconds at a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the temperature and amount of time required for the transfer differs for different inks and materials used.
Digital printing uses the same steps to transfer the dye but it is simpler in the designing process as the designing happens on the computer and is then printed.
What are the uses and applications of the technique
Transfer printing can be used on fabrics and clothing such as t-shirts, caps or bags or on non-fabric hard surface such as wood or metal to create a picture for decoration. It can be used to design fabrics too which could be then used to make clothing.
Photos
Direct Wet Transfer Process of a Leaf
Wet Direct Transfer
Indirect wet transfer
For this one, I used the wet transfer design as the background for the indirect wet transfer and layered a feather underneath to get this result.
Dry Transfer
Own personal reflections
Personally, transfer printing is a nostalgic form of art as it reminds me of my childhood when I painted objects then stamping it onto fabrics or paper. It can be a little messy due to the dye drying faster than expected thus having to add more dye on the objects which can lead to it getting everywhere. Moreover, the crayon smudges a bit so for doing detailed designs, digital transfer is the best technique for transferring. Transfer printing is quite fun still because there’s no right or wrong in designing especially for wet transfer. It allows you to stamp objects anyway I like with any colours, creating different tones in one design. I really like the outcome of every transfer as not only is it eco-friendly as you can transfer a couple of times, the vibrancy of every transfer changes after every transfer, creating different designs in the process.