Heat transfer lanyards are manufactured using thermal energy from a heated item to a cooler item. When a fluid is at a different temperature to the lanyard material, transfer of thermal energy also known as heat transfer or heat exchange occurs. Heat transfer always occurs from a hot particle to a cold one.
It might sound very complicated, Well.. IT IS! and it produces brilliant results.
In the early days, Heat transfer printing were principally used in the printing of novelty items, such as polyester tops and t-shirts. Lanyards and other merchandise. Today heat transfer printing has gained significant importance and favor in several industries - especially in the apparel industry as an alternative for printing fabric in an agile manufacturing environment.
Heat transfer printing is clean and environmentally safe, which makes it appealing in today's health and safety conscience work environments. It is also the premium option for earth friendly lanyards because it holds no environmental Repercussions, There are no suspect liquid by-products. The only by product is paper. Heat Transfer printing is the primary element in apparel manufacturing operations utilizing the increasingly popular agile manufacturing. It is the perfect medium for the demands of today's marketplace - short run and sample production.
Some other uses for heat transfer include:
Lanyards, nylon lanyards, earth friendly lanyards
Point of purchase banners, signage, displays, skirting, carpeting, etc.
Advertising specialties - mouse pads, wrist pads, beverage insulators, clip boards, etc.
Ceramic tiles, wall murals and interior design
Snow skis, snow boards, cycling helmets, in-line skates, water sports equipment
Gaming tables , chips
Lettering, Rhinestones/crystals
Uni-sub wood, clipboards, plaques, signage, vending machines message boards, table tops, counter tops, flooring, etc.
Microfiber based sports apparel, T-shirts, caps, swimsuits, jackets, tote bags, cut apparel parts, large format textiles, etc.
Transfer printing evolved in England in the 1750s. The image is first engraving on a copper plate. Pigment is then added - often mixed with oil and heated to allow the colour to run deeper in to the engravings. The image is then transferred to a piece of paper or fabric, sometimes with a layer of glue applied, that can easily be cut and shaped to fit around curved objects such as dishes and teapots. This is known as the 'bat' and gives the process its alternative name: 'bat printing'. This is then placed on the ceramic object in its unglazed state after its initial firing to transfer the image to the object; the object is then glazed and fired again to make the image permanent.
Prior to the invention of transfer printing, images could only be placed on ceramic objects by hand-painting in enamels; its invention was therefore a major step in the production of decorative ceramic wares for the mass market. It is believed that it was developed by John Sadler and Guy Green. However the improvements made by Wedgwood are generally credited for the widespread popularity the method enjoyed during the next hundred years.
Heat transfer is the only option for highly complex logo imprinting onto lanyards and textiles, and has come forward in leaps and bounds since its invention in the early 17th century.
