TRANSFER PRINTING

Technique

It is the transference process of an image onto fabric or other materials via a substrate. The image is transferred via heat and pressure

This technique relies on the fact that dyes
sublime when heated which is sometimes also
known as sublimation printing

Relevant materials
– Fabric: 100% Polyester/Cotton
– Flat Surfaces: Wood, Metal
– Baking Paper
– Transprint Ink
– Wax Crayon
– Digital Print on TTC/CPM
– Hot Iron
– Heat Press Machine

Process

1. Apply the transprint ink onto the image (image can be from the texture of a leaf) 2. Sandwich between baking paper and apply heat using an iron The order should be: Baking paper down, Surface, Image print, Baking paper up. 3. After few seconds, lift the iron and check if the transference is complete

Result #3 Wet Transfer/ Indirect Printing

1. Laser print the desired design onto the TTC paper (for light coloured fabric) or CPM paper (for non fabric hard surface) 2. Sandwich between baking paper and apply heat using an iron The order should be: Baking paper down, Surface, Image print, Baking paper up. 3. Set the timer around 30 sec and temperature to 200 degree Celsius. 4. Press and lock the heat press machine and wait for the timer to go off. 5. Hot peel or cool peel depending on the material.

Setup details for the heat press machine

Result #1 Digital Transfer on MDF using CPM print

Result #2 DIgital Transfer on plywood using CPM print

Result #1: Digital transfer on cotton (left) and polyester (right) fabric using TTC print

Result #2: Digital transfer on cotton (left) and polyester (right) fabric using TTC print

Reflection:

For Transprint
- Lots of trial and error before getting satisfactory results.
- Realised that wet transfer/ indirect printing is more suited for finer detailed objects like feathers.
For Digital print
- Setup details for the heat press machine is accurate: varies slightly for time and temperature
  - Shorter time can be compensated by higher temperature, vice versa
- The plywood print was unsatisfactory, possible reasons:
  - Should have been pressed for a longer time period.
  - Should have been prepared and sanded more.
  - Cushioning would have ensure proper datum surface for printing, baking paper and tissue paper were used instead. (Tip from Touch Print field trip)
- Printing on fabric was successful, albeit the distortion caused by the peel off
  - Should consider the grain direction of the fabric. The paper is best peeled at a 45 degree angle. (Tip from Touch Print field trip)

DR2007 – Surface Design

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