Choosing a Heat Transfer Type

Determine which heat applied transfer type is the best choice for your next transfer order.

View our Product Guide or use our tools below.

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.

Transfer Selector Tool

Restart the Transfer Selector Tool

Download this chart and keep it handy so you know which transfer to use for each apparel printing job you have.

Download Chart

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

Standard Inks	Finish	Fabric Types	Decorate	Colors	Other Attributes	Instructions
Goof Proof	Opaque, matte	cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends	Athletic wear	single or multi-color, 70+ stock colors, color matching available	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

Specialty Inks	Finish	Fabric Types	Decorate	Colors	Other Attributes	Instructions
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
Glitter	sparkled	cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends	Spirit, dance, cheer, fashion & holiday wear	10 colors, single or multi-color (2-10 glitter colors)	apply to any color apparel	15 seconds, 365ºF, 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	black or white puff, can be with other non-puff standard ink colors	best for large designs	5 seconds, 365ºF, Medium/Firm, peel hot
Pearl Prints	soft, shiny luster	cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends	Spirit, dance, cheer, fashion & holiday wear	6 colors	durable adhesive	10 seconds, 340ºF, Medium/Firm, peel cold
Foil Adhesive	clear, semi transparent	cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends	Spirit, dance, cheer, fashion & holiday wear	1 color adhesive	base layer for heat transfer foil	8 seconds, 340ºF, Medium/Firm, peel hot
Heat Transfer Foil	shiny	cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends	Spirit, dance, cheer, fashion & holiday wear	12 colors	adds color and shine to Foil Adhesive transfer	30 seconds, 340ºF, Medium/Firm, peel cold

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

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 quantity minimums ($25 min)	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® Soft	soft, matte	cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends	100% polyester stretchy performance wear	Full color	Stretch & rebound	12-15 seconds, 290ºF, Medium, peel cold
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
Soft Opaque	soft, semi-matte	cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends, nylon & spandex/Lycra®	Promo items (hats, umbrellas, etc.) & performance wear	Full color	Stretch & rebound	15 seconds, 310ºF, Medium/Firm, peel hot
Sub Block	soft	cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends	Any color sublimated polyester	Full color	Blocks dye migration	20 seconds, 265ºF, Medium, peel warm
Express Prints	soft, matte	cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends	fashion wear, light or dark-colored apparel	Full color	Fast, low temperature application	5-10 seconds, 250ºF, Medium/Firm, peel hot