Factors affecting the quality of thermal transfer products

Factors affecting the quality of thermal transfer products

1 Introduction to thermal transfer process
Thermal transfer is a printing process that pre-prints a pattern onto a heat-resistant film and transfers the exquisite pattern on the film to the product by heating and pressurizing. This printing process includes two parts: printing of thermal transfer film and thermal transfer processing.

So what factors affect the quality of thermal transfer products, including the quality of thermal transfer film and the quality of thermal transfer processing?

2 Factors affecting the quality of thermal transfer products: the quality of thermal transfer film
Thermal transfer film is generally composed of 4 layers, namely base layer, release layer, printing layer, and adhesive layer.

Base layer:

The carrier of release layer, printing layer and adhesive layer - thermal transfer base film. Thermal transfer base film includes PET film, OPP film, PVC film, etc. It is necessary to select the corresponding base film according to the needs of specific products, otherwise it will affect the quality of thermal transfer products;

Release layer:

It is a coating of release agent, which remains solid at room temperature and can be melted at a certain temperature. The bonding force with the base layer becomes smaller and can be quickly separated from the base film without adhesion residue.

Printing layer:

This layer is the root of the beauty of the pattern of thermal transfer products. The key lies in the selection and matching of thermal transfer ink. After the thermal transfer process is completed, only the printing layer is attached to the surface of the thermal transfer product. Therefore, the selection of printing layer material is particularly important. If you don't pay attention, it will affect the quality of thermal transfer products.

Adhesive layer:

Its actual composition is a kind of hot melt adhesive. According to different substrates, choose the corresponding thermal transfer glue.

3 Factors affecting the quality of thermal transfer products: the quality of thermal transfer processing
Thermal transfer processing is a service process of transferring thermal transfer film to the surface of the substrate. Several issues need to be paid attention to in this process, otherwise it will also affect the quality of thermal transfer products.

A. Keep the machine clean:

Keep the important parts of the machine clean, without oil and dust, keep the thermal transfer film clean, without fingerprints and dust, keep the substrate clean, without dust and oil, keep the processor's hands clean, without oil and sweat;

B. Hot stamping temperature:

Hot stamping temperature has a significant impact on the quality of thermal transfer products. Too high hot stamping temperature is easy to damage the substrate, and too low hot stamping temperature may not achieve normal transfer. Hot stamping temperature should be determined by factors such as substrate, flower film, and thermal transfer machine. Different materials have different hot stamping temperatures.

C. Hot stamping pressure:

Hot stamping pressure must be adjusted to the most appropriate, otherwise too large pressure will easily damage the rubber head and the object being stamped, and too small pressure will affect the hot stamping effect. After adjusting to the optimal hot stamping pressure, the pressure adjustment should be locked to avoid changes in mass production.

D. Hot stamping speed:

Hot stamping time (speed) should be determined according to the specific hot stamping object. Under the condition of ensuring the hot stamping effect, the faster the speed, the higher the production efficiency. However, some products must be hot stamped at a slow speed due to certain special conditions.

In summary, there are many factors that affect the quality of thermal transfer products, and any carelessness will affect their quality. Therefore, when making thermal transfer products, it is necessary to strictly follow the operating procedures.