Present and Future Developments in Transfer Printing 1

Abstract

The basic principle of transfer printing, the technological advantages and limitations, and the impact of marketing techniques in the textile industry are reviewed vis-a-vis conventional textile printing. Variables such as properties of dyestuffs, print-paste composition, gravure technique, printing machines, and transfer conditions are discussed.

It is apparent from the patent literature that an enormous research effort is being expended worldwide to improve the present technology, to develop new machinery, and to extend the process to substrates other than polyester, such as polyamide, polyacrylic, and to natural hydrophilic fibers.

Innovations which have already achieved a degree of commercial success and their anticipated impact on the industry are examined—e.g. the Saueressig Printing Machine, vacuum-transfer calenders, and the Hecowa Print Process for polyester/cotton blends. Some possible new approaches based on chemistry and technique are paper coating, various novelty effects, and transfer resist printing.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists , Metropolitan Section, Transfer Printing on Cationic Dyeable Fabrics, Textile Chem. Color. 6, 242–248 (1974).

Anon., Advance of Rotary Screen Technology, Int. Dyer, Tex. Printer, Bleacher Finish. 148, 91–94 (1972).

Anon. Dow Badische Develops Heat-Transfer Acrylic, Daily News Record, p. 25 (March 9, 1976).

Anon., Herstellung von Transferdruck Papier Melliand Textilber. 11, 1212 (1973).

Anon. Neue Transferdruckmachine Melliand Textilber. 10, 819 (1975).

Bent

C. J.

Flynn

T. D.

Sumner

H. H.

, A New Insight into Thermofix Dyeing of Polyester/Cellulose Blends. I: Investigation of Mechanism of Transfer of Disperse Dyes, J. Soc. Dyers Colour. 85, 606–613 (1969).

British Pat. 1,254,021, CIBA-GEIGY AG., “Transfer Printing” (Ger. Offen. 1,908,096 lists R. Defago, A. Litzler, J. Hertig, H. J. Angliker, and H. W. Liechti), 1969.

Datye

K. V.

Milicevic

Werdenberg

, “Transfer Printing with Fibre-Reactive Dyes,” U. S. Pat. 3,666,397, May 30, 1972.

Datye

K. V.

Pitkar

S. C.

Purao

U. M.

, Studies in Sublimation Transfer Print Process, Textilveredlung 8, 262–274 (1973).

10.

DePlasse

, L'Impression Transfere Par Sublimation, Teintex 37, 675–680 (1972).

11.

Gerber

, Uber den Mechanismus der Fixierung von Dispersionsfarbstoffen beim thermosolprozess und beim Transferdruck, Textilveredlung 8, 449–456 (1973).

12.

Fenoglio

R. A.

Gorondy

E. J.

, Heat Transfer Printing, Textile Chem. Color. 7, 84–92 (1975).

13.

Holland

Litherland

, Vapour-Phase Transfer “Printing, J. Soc. Dyers Colour. 87, 488–195 (1971).

14.

Inman

W. G.

, “Paper for Transfer Printing,” paper presented at SCI Symposium, Manchester, England, Sept. 1974.

15.

Jones

Leung

T. S. M.

, Some Fundamental Aspects of Transfer Printing, J. Soc. Dyers Colour. 90, 286–290 (1974).

16.

LaPore

R. F.

, “Paper Requirements for Heat Transfer-Printing,” paper presented at Clemson University Symposium, Clemson, South Carolina, Sept. 1975.

17.

Leatherbee

, “Wet Transfer Printing,” paper presented at HTP Seminar, N. C. State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, Dec. 1975.

18.

McDowell

, The Behaviour of Disperse Dyes at High Temperatures, J. Soc. Dyers Colour. 89, 177–185 (1973).

19.

Moore

N. L.

, Heat Transfer Printing—A Review of the Literature, J. Soc. Dyers Colour. 90, 318–325 (1974).

20.

Peter

, “A Dye Manufacturer's View of Transfer Printing,” paper presented at SCI Symposium, Manchester, England, Sept. 1974.

21.

Rippner

J. H.

, “The Technological Future for Transfer Printing in an Ever Changing Environment,” paper presented at SCI Symposium, Manchester, England, Sept. 1974.

22.

Smith

G. A.

, Transfer Printing of Wool Knitwear: More Facts About the Fastran Process, British Knitting Industry, 44, 89–96 (Dec. 1971).

23.

Smith

G. A.

Laidlaw

A. J.

, “Dye Transferring Method,” British Pat. 1,284,824, May 11, 1970.

24.

Souwer

G. W.

, “The Impact of Transfer Printing on the Conventional Textile Printer in the Coming Years,” paper presented at SCI Symposium, Manchester, England, Sept. 1974.