Why do we need thermal transfer proofing?

Why do we need thermal transfer proofing?

1 Why do we need thermal transfer proofing?
The thermal transfer process is suitable for flat and curved surface decoration of various plastic, wood, metal, glass and other products. It is widely used in daily necessities, cosmetics, toys, cultural and educational supplies, gifts, electrical appliances, food packaging, secondary injection molding, building materials decoration and other industries. Seeing this, some people may wonder, since the application scope of thermal transfer process is so wide, and general substrates can use thermal transfer process, why do we need thermal transfer proofing?

2 What is thermal transfer proofing?
Before answering the above question, let's take a look at what thermal transfer proofing is? What does it include?

The so-called thermal transfer proofing is actually to make the designed thermal transfer images into electric engraving plates, print these thermal transfer images on PET film through gravure printing machines, make thermal transfer films, and then heat and pressurize the thermal transfer machine to finally transfer the images of the thermal transfer film to the substrate.

3. Operation method of thermal transfer proofing
The specific operation method of thermal transfer proofing is:

1. First, entrust the plate-making factory to make a gravure electric engraving plate according to the thermal transfer image and text provided by the customer. After the gravure electric engraving plate is completed, the production stage of the thermal transfer printing film will be entered.

2. After the thermal transfer film is completed, the transfer stage of the substrate will be entered: first install the pre-made substrate fixture on the thermal transfer machine, then install the corresponding thermal transfer film, and debug the machine according to the various parameters of the substrate. When everything is ready, start the transfer process of the substrate, and a gorgeous sample is born.

Thermal transfer proofing picture

The seemingly inconspicuous thermal transfer sample is realized after these tedious links.

4 Necessity of thermal transfer proofing
If thermal transfer proofing is not done, the following may happen:

1. The degree of fit between the pattern size and the actual size of the substrate cannot be tested;

2. The impact of the shrinkage of the substrate cannot be tested;

3. The degree of match between the substrate's base color and the pattern cannot be tested;

4. The difference between the effect of the design drawing on the substrate and the design effect cannot be tested. . .

Therefore, thermal transfer proofing is the best checkpoint before mass production and an important guarantee process to ensure the quality of mass production!

Of course, for some substrates with a white base color, a small transfer pattern area, a relatively simple pattern, and low product quality requirements, they can also be directly mass-produced without thermal transfer proofing.