How to make screen print transfers needs some methods to do it. It requires a design and printing it onto a transfer paper with a variety of inks like plastisol, pigment, or dispersed dye.
The supplies and equipment can be diverse depending on the methods. So, here are a few screen print transfer methods to discover.
Contents
1. Plastisol Transfers
This method requires a piece of transfer paper and a heat press to transfer the plastisol ink into the design, like a t-shirt or other items. Here are a few steps to creating a complex design to follow:
- First, follow the instructions on the package to mix up photo emulsion and the sensitizer in certain quantities. You will need a certain amount of water to add up to the mixture. This process is usually done in a dark room.
- Pour the emulsion mixture across the bottom edge of the screen by putting it facing up.
- Then, drag it in a smooth coating over the surface by using a squeegee. You have to repeat this process several times.
- After that, dry the screen in a dark place for at least 8 hours.
- Prepare your design for the stencil screen. You can create a screen and separate stencil for each color in the design.
- Next, print the design onto a transparency or one sheet for each color layer.
- Set up the light exposure and place it a foot away from the screen. Then, place the transparency upside down on the backside of the screen and put acrylic or glass over it.
- Expose the screen by turning the light on for about 45 minutes to an hour.
- Finally, spray cold water over the screen and let it dry before you transfer it with plastisol ink.
2. Silk Screening or Screen Print
How to make screen print transfer is quite simple. You can create it by pressing ink through a stencil on the screen with the help of tools and transfer sheets. Here are some steps to do a screen print as follows:
- You should make a mirrored design using a hand-cut stencil, a graphic design software program, and a Cricut.
- It’s recommended to do screen print transfers in just one color.
- After that, you can secure the stencil to the mesh screen. You’ll need a 150-thin thread mesh for transfer prints.
- Then, try to dust the transfer paper or finished paper with adhesion power.
- Next, start to spread the plastisol ink carefully over the stencil using an angle of 75⁰.
- You can press the transfer paper below the screen or do it by hand and align the inked screen over the sheets carefully.
- Last, you can remove the stencil and start to flash cure the transfer paper using 180 to 260⁰F.
3. DTF Transfers
DTF (Direct-to-film) is a method that applies to a sheet of transfer film with a mirrored design printed by using a DTF printer. Here are some steps to do DTG or DTF transfers:
- First, prepare the DTF film in rolls or sheets and cut it out into pieces that fit the printer.
- Then, prepare the digital design. Print out the image and a white layer over it.
- While the ink remains damp, you can sift hot melt adhesive powder over the design for the DTF transfers process.
- Next, cure the ink and adhesive powder for two minutes using a heat press at 350⁰F.
- Last, Set the heat press to 284⁰F to attach it to a fabric for 15 minutes. Let the film cool before peeling it away.
4. Full-Color Transfers
How to make screen print transfers in a full-color method is a good option for a small business. All you need is a transfer paper and a sublimation printer. Besides, you can follow these steps to create full-color transfers:
- First, prepare a digital design like a photo, lettering, etc. Make sure to flip it horizontally or mirror the image before the printing process.
- Set up the sublimation transfer paper into the printer. Put the writing side facing down and the papery side facing up on the screen.
- After that, you can print out the design. You can transfer it to fabric using a heat press.
5. Iron-On Transfers
This method is probably quite different from other types of screen print transfers. It is because you adhere the transfer permanently to the fabric using a heat adhesive on its backing.