Technique
Transfer Printing. It is transferring images/print by using heat.
Material(s)
- Polyester satin
- Plywood
- Transfer paper (The Magic Touch: TTC 3.1 and CPM 6.2)
- Fabric crayon
- Transfer ink
- Flat objects (e.g. thread, feather, leaf)
- Baking paper
Tools(s)
- Iron
- Heat press machine
Process
Direct transfer printing
- Draw with fabric crayon or paint using transfer ink on a sheet of paper
- Place the paper facing down onto polyester satin
- Sandwich the paper and fabric in between two sheets of baking paper
- Place a hot iron on top of the layers or use heat press machine to transfer the design
Indirect transfer printing
- Make a block on a sheet of paper by drawing with fabric crayon or painting using transfer ink
- Place flat objects onto the paper before placing them both onto polyester satin
- Sandwich the paper, object and fabric in between two sheets of baking paper
- Place a hot iron on top of the layers or use heat press machine to transfer the design
Digital transfer printing
- Print the desired design onto the transfer paper (TTC 3.1 or CPM 6.2, depending on the type of surface to transfer onto)
- Place the transfer paper facing down onto polyester satin or plywood
- (satin) Sandwich the paper and fabric in between two sheets of baking paper
(plywood) Sandwich the paper and wood in between baking paper on the bottom and a foam on the top – the foam helps to push down the transfer paper to ensure more equal transfer - Place the layers into the heat press machine, set it and press
Photos
Class demonstration with heat press machine
Personal reflections
I feel it is a very first technique that is simple yet fascinating. I have always know the gist of direct/ indirect transfer printing but never really tried it before. An honestly, I didn’t know about digital transfer printing before. I still have the paper and will try it later 🙂