This equipment facilitates the application of designs onto various substrates. It works by first printing the desired image onto a specialized carrier sheet using screen printing techniques. This printed sheet is then positioned on the target material fabric, ceramic, or other suitable surfaces and transferred using heat and pressure. A simple example is creating custom t-shirts, where logos or artwork are initially printed onto transfer paper and subsequently applied to the garments using a heat press, which is a common component of this equipment.
The process offers advantages in terms of efficiency and versatility. It allows for intricate designs to be reproduced rapidly on a large scale, making it a cost-effective solution for mass customization. Historically, the development of heat transfers revolutionized garment decoration, enabling intricate multicolored designs to be applied easily compared to traditional methods like direct screen printing or embroidery. This technology significantly expanded the possibilities for personalized apparel and promotional products.