Impressions - September 2020 - 26

HEAT PRINTING

The HTV World

The introduction of HTV in the mid-1980s as an alternative to diecut film names and numbers brought even more attention to the
heat-printing sector. With a vinyl cutter and heat press, anyone can
create and cut a single logo, name or number and offer on-demand
personalization. The importance of heat printing grew, as did the
number of heat-press and HTV manufacturers.
What began as a way to profitably customize any garment, in any
location, in just minutes was crucial to the success of many custom
apparel businesses. HTV evolved to allow low-temperature application on expensive performancewear - something screen printing
or embroidery couldn't offer.
Plus, there are many available special effects - metallic, reflective, foil, holographic, textured and patterns. HTV allows a level of
creativity any decorator can master. The learning curve is minimal
and the profitability factor huge. In addition to being used by garment manufacturers and professional sports leagues around the world,
HTV is highly sought by custom garment entrepreneurs of all types.
Heat-printing technology is virtually
unlimited in the looks it can achieve.
This full-color logo was printed
with an UltraColor transfer
from Transfer Express.

Let There Be Color

Decorators' demand for full-color logos also has been met with a
response from heat-printing manufacturers. Now, there are solutions that are compatible with all types of color printers and ink sets.
From solvent and inkjet to laser, there's a printable heattransfer media that allows anyone to print full-color logos at a
profit. In fact, the speed at which full-color digital heat transfers
can be made for both small- and large-quantity orders increases the
demand for digital heat-printing media and it continues to grow.

The Next Level
Heat printing also complements other garment-printing methods
- screen printing, sublimation, embroidery or direct-to-garment
printing. Many decorators offer heat printing in addition to or combined with other methods. But now, we see more businesses built
solely around heat printing - outfitting their production centers
with dozens, if not hundreds, of heat presses.
The demand for graphic innovation also has grown. What are heat
printers looking for today? In addition to the ability to print any finish
- from glitter to matte - they insist on low-temperature adhesives,
ease of use, stretchability and, of course, the softest-possible hand.
Today's heat transfers also must be able to reproduce any type of
complicated artwork, free-floating text and any number of colors. It
sounds impossible, but the industry has responded.

Low Temps Rule
Low-temperature adhesives in the heat-printing category are not only
essential for printing on garments, but they also are important when
heat printing on headwear. In fact, this particular application is vital
for creating high-end looks such as 3-D embroidery; leather; textured
and raised emblems; and any type of premium brand
logos. Heat printing on caps - according to
customers'specifications, of course - enables
profitable selling and on-demand printing
situations at events or with online stores.

Alive, Well & Growing
Heat printing continues to grow by leaps and
bounds for myriad reasons.

With a vinyl cutter and heat press,
anyone can create and cut a single
logo, name or number and offer
on-demand personalization.
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I M P R E S S I O N S M A G . C O M SEPTEMBER 2020

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Impressions - September 2020

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