Heat Press Silk Screen Look: How Screen Print Transfers Give a Screen-Printed Finish

The way to get a silk screen look from a heat press is a screen print transfer: plastisol ink screen printed onto transfer paper by a supplier, then pressed onto the shirt. Because it is the same plastisol ink used in direct screen printing, the result has a screen-printed finish rather than the film look of vinyl. Suppliers describe it in those terms: Transfer Express says its Think Fast plastisol transfers give a screen printed finish in 4 seconds with only a heat press, with a soft hand and a matte finish.

What is a screen print transfer?

A screen printer prints the design in plastisol ink onto release paper instead of a shirt, with an adhesive layer, and leaves the ink partly cured. The decorator presses it onto the garment, where heat and pressure finish the cure and bond the ink to the fabric. F&M Expressions explains that plastisol needs to reach 300 to 330 degrees F to cure, and that transfers with added adhesive can apply at lower temperatures, which helps on polyester and polypropylene. Silk screen is the older name for screen printing; the screens now use synthetic mesh.

Published press settings

Settings differ by product and formula. These are the supplier's own figures:

Transfer Express adds 10°F for presses other than Hotronix. Velflex adds a 5-second post-press under a cotton cover to settle the ink and remove surface sheen. Always use the instructions that ship with the transfer.

Getting the screen-printed finish right

• Check real platen temperature. F&M Expressions tells customers to check the press with an infrared temperature gun and use adequate, even pressure; too little pressure is a common cause of poor application.
• Skip the Teflon sheet. F&M Expressions says never to use Teflon sheets, covers or pillows with its plastisol formulas. Press the paper directly unless the transfer's instructions say otherwise.
• Peel as directed. Hot-peel transfers come off cleanly only while hot; letting them cool can lift ink.
• Post-press for matte. A short second press under a cotton or paper cover, where the supplier calls for it, reduces gloss.

Screen print transfers vs DTF for a screen-printed look

For a one- or two-colour logo printed in quantity, a screen print transfer gives the closest thing to direct screen printing from a heat press. For full-colour art, DTF is usually simpler and cheaper. The screen print transfers vs DTF comparison goes deeper, the screen charge guide explains how colour count drives the price, and the best screen print transfer companies list covers suppliers. The puff print transfers guide covers the raised specialty version.

Frequently asked questions

Can you heat press a silk screen print?

Yes, as a screen print transfer. The design is screen printed in plastisol onto transfer paper and then applied with a heat press.

What temperature do you press plastisol transfers?

It depends on the formula. Transfer Express publishes 365°F for 4 seconds for its Express Names transfers, or 290°F for 15 seconds for its low-temperature option, both at medium-firm pressure with a hot peel.

Do screen print transfers feel like screen printing?

They use the same plastisol ink, and suppliers describe the result as a soft, matte, screen-printed finish.

Should you use a Teflon sheet with plastisol transfers?

Not unless the supplier says to. F&M Expressions says never to use Teflon sheets, covers or pillows with its plastisol formulas.