Stahls

Stahls is a heat transfer technology company with over 90 years of history in the garment decoration industry. Headquartered in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, Stahls operates as a manufacturer and distributor of heat transfer materials, heat press equipment, and related tools for apparel decorators. The company positions itself as a "Made in America" brand and serves a global customer base that includes screen printers, embroiderers, promotional products distributors, sign shops, and apparel brands. Stahls has expanded from its U.S. base to maintain international operations in Canada, Europe, Asia, and the United Kingdom.

The company's DTF transfer product, UltraColor MAX, is its entry into the direct-to-film transfer market. UltraColor MAX uses a Stahls-formulated ink that the company publishes as expanding the printable color range by 23 percent compared with standard DTF inks. The ink formulation excludes ethylene glycol and formaldehyde, and the transfers carry OEKO-TEX, California Proposition 65, and CPSIA certifications. Those certifications cover children's apparel and other safety-sensitive applications.

UltraColor MAX transfers are hot-peel and apply at lower temperatures than typical plastisol transfers, which helps avoid scorching on heat-sensitive fabrics. Stahls publishes application settings of 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 100 percent cotton and 290 degrees Fahrenheit for polyester and blends, with medium pressure for 12 to 15 seconds. The transfers produce a soft hand feel on the finished garment and have been lab tested by Stahls through more than 50 wash cycles. Designs can use any number of colors with no required outlines and no weeding step.

Pricing for UltraColor MAX transfers starts as low as four cents per square inch, with maximum dimensions up to 22 by 22 inches. Stahls requires no minimum order quantities on UltraColor MAX, allowing customers to order as few or as many transfers as needed. The company offers same-day shipping for orders placed before 8:00 AM Eastern time, and orders over 149 dollars receive free UPS Ground shipping within the contiguous United States. An optional EasyRip tear-apart feature that eliminates the need for scissors is complimentary on orders of 300 dollars or more, or available for 20 cents per image on smaller orders.

Beyond DTF transfers, the Stahls catalog covers heat transfer materials across several branded product lines. CAD-CUT includes heat transfer vinyl (HTV) products such as Premium Plus, UltraWeed, Thermo-FILM, and Glimmer. Other lines include Fashion-FILM for specialty fashion applications, reflective vinyl for safety garments, hologram materials, and flock transfers. Screen printed transfers fall under the Goof Proof brand, and FlexStyle emblems and patches cover dimensional decoration.

Stahls manufactures and sells heat press equipment under the Hotronix brand. The Hotronix product line includes models such as the 360 IQ heat press, the Fusion IQ, the ProPlace IQ, the MAXX 250 (an American-made option), and the A2Z Swing Away press designed as an entry-level starter press. The company also sells vinyl cutters and heat press accessories. This equipment line complements the transfer and material products, allowing Stahls to serve as a single-source supplier for apparel decoration businesses.

Design and production tools sit alongside the materials and equipment lines. Easy View LTE Designer is a free browser-based design tool with more than 10,000 clipart pieces, over 7,000 customizable layouts, over 200 fonts, and an integrated mockup tool with no subscription fees. Additional design tools include a Vinyl Designer for HTV projects and an Artwork Uploader for custom transfer orders. Stahls Fulfill Engine is the company's production management software for shops handling transfer application workflows.

For artwork submission, Stahls accepts files in PDF, PNG, and TIF formats as preferred file types, with AI, SVG, JPG, and PSD also supported. Artwork should be submitted in the exact colors, sizes, and format desired for printing to avoid additional art preparation fees. This makes the ordering process straightforward for customers who have print-ready designs.

Stahls produces educational content for garment decorators through Stahls TV, a video platform with tutorials, product demonstrations, and industry guides. Additional resources include a blog, scheduled webinars, and live in-person events. Topics range from basic heat press operation to production workflows and business development for apparel decorators.

The company supports its customer base through multiple channels including phone support at 800-478-2457, an online ordering system with account creation, and a chat support system. Stahls also operates an authorized dealer network and a reseller program, extending its reach through partner businesses that carry and recommend Stahls products. Material samples and swatches are available for customers to test products before committing to production orders.