Choosing a Heat Transfer Type
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Determine which heat applied transfer type is the best choice for your next transfer order.
View our Product Guide or use our tools below.
"What to Use When" - Chart
Download this chart and keep it handy so you know which transfer to use for each apparel printing job you have.
Download ChartTransfer Selector Tool
Having a hard time deciding which heat applied transfer type to use? Try the Transfer Selector Tool to help find out which transfer type will work best for your next heat printing job with step-by-step help.
Screen Printed Transfers
Use Screen Printed Transfers for:
- A classic look
- 1-2 colors, large designs
- Cotton, polyester, and cotton/polyblends
- Sports and fashion wear
- Names and numbers on jerseys
Inks | Finish | Fabric Types | Decorate | Colors | Other Attributes | Instructions |
Goof Proof | Opaque, matte | cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends | Athletic wear, fashion | single or multi-color, 70+ stock colors, color matching available (Single Image limited to single color; 24 color options; no color matching) | durable, quick application, phthalate-free plastisol ink | 4-6 seconds, 365ºF, Medium/Firm, peel hot |
Hot Split Retro | Opaque, matte, soft, light feel | cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends | thin materials, burnout t-shirts, fashion apparel | 60 stock colors | good opacity for fashion apparel | 8-10 seconds, 365ºF, Medium/Firm, peel hot |
Elasti Prints | opaque, matte | 100% polyester | Heat-sensitive, stretchable performance fabric & moisture-wicking apparel | 70+ stock colors, Color matching available | superior stretch and rebound, high opacity, phthalate-free plastisol ink | 15 seconds, 290ºF, Medium/Firm, peel cold |
Glow-in-the-Dark | milky white in daylight, green glow in the dark | cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends | Halloween, birthday parties, bands | single glow color | changes color in the dark | 10 seconds, 340ºF, Medium/Firm, peel warm |
Puff | 3D raised effect | cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends | Fashion wear | single color only; 6 puff colors to choose from | best for large designs | 5 seconds, 365ºF, Medium/Firm, peel hot |
Water-Based | Finish | Fabric Types | Decorate | Colors | Other Attributes | Instructions |
Reflective | reflects direct light | cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends | safety and fashion wear | single silver reflective | metallic silver during daylight, reflects direct light at night | 15 seconds, 290ºF, Medium, peel cold |
AquaTru | Opaque, matte | Lycra, Spandex, woven nylon, polyester, cotton, cotton/poly blends | uniforms, sublimated apparel, performance wear | single or multi-color, available in 26 stock colors | great stretch and rebound, blocker layer available | 15 seconds, 290ºF, Medium, peel hot |
Full Color Transfers
Use Full Color Transfers for:
- Full color, photo realistic designs - including shading, fades, and gradients
- Cotton, polyester, spandex, neoprene, nylon, and leather
- Sublimated apparel (use blocker transfer type)
- Short-run personalization
- Cost efficient for 3 or more spot colors
Digital Transfer | Finish | Fabric Types | Decorate | Colors | Other Attributes | Instructions |
UltraColor® Max | soft, matte | cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends, triblends, Lycra/Spandex | 100% polyester stretchy performance wear | Full color | No clear outline, no minimums | 12-15 seconds, 290ºF, Medium, peel hot |
UltraColor® Pro | soft, matte | cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends | 100% polyester stretchy performance wear | Full color | Stretch & rebound | cotton, cotton/poly: 10 sec., 340°F, firm pressure, peel hot; synthetics: 15 sec., 290°F, firm, peel hot |
UltraColor® Stretch | soft, matte | cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends, spandex, Lycra®, woven nylon | stretchy fabrics with spandex and nylon | Full color | Stretch & rebound | 12-15 seconds, 290ºF, Medium, peel cold |
UltraColor® Stretch with Blocker | soft, matte | cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends, spandex, Lycra®, woven nylon, sublimated polyester | sublimated polyester | Full color | Stretch & rebound, blocks dye migration | 12-15 seconds, 290ºF, Medium, peel cold |