Choosing a Heat Transfer Type

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

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

"What to Use When" Chart

This easy-to-read chart helps you decide on a transfer type quickly. All you need to know is how many colors you have in your artwork and the fabric content that you will be applying the transfer to.

Download the Chart

Heat Transfer Comparison Chart

Download and save the heat transfer comparison chart for quick reference anytime.

Download the Chart

Screen Printed Transfers

Use Screen Printed Transfers for:

A classic look
1-3 color, 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	3-5 seconds, 360ºF, 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, 360ºF, Medium/Firm, peel hot

Specialty Inks	Finish	Fabric Types	Decorate	Colors	Other Attributes	Instructions
Elasti Prints	opaque, matte	100% polyester & cotton/poly blends	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, 300ºF, 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, 350ºF, 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	15 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
Heat Transfer Foil	shiny	cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends, rayon, acrylic	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
AquaTru®	Opaque, matte, soft	cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends, Spandex, Lycra®, nylon	Heat-sensitive, stretchable performance fabrics, sublimated apparel	60 stock colors	Water-based ink, superior stretch & rebound, Dye-Block option available for blocking dye migration	12-15 seconds, 275ºF, Medium, peel hot
Reflective	reflects direct light	cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends, Spandex, Lycra®, nylon	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 4 or more spot colors

Digital Transfer	Finish	Fabric Types	Decorate	Colors	Other Attributes	Instructions
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 seconds, 250ºF, Medium/Firm, peel hot