WILL THE PAPER WORK IN ANY TYPE OF PRINTER?
No. We recommend following the suggested brands of color laser copier and printers we have tested.
We carry a variety of papers and each paper may have a specialty copier or printer it works in. What makes each copier or printer unique is their printer driver, which controls the printing engine along with their fuser unit. The printer driver allows the printer to print certain types of papers and films, which other copiers or printers may not be able to. It controls the speed and the temperature the paper endures during the printing process. Even though the temperature of the fuser unit is very important for the paper to be able to pass successfully through the copier or printer, the speed is as important as it controls how long the paper is exposed to the fuser unit. Finding the correct combination is what causes the paper to print well in a copier or printer.
If your brand of copier or printer is not on the list, it does not necessarily mean it won’t work. We simply may not have evaluated the brand yet.
WHAT TYPE OF TONER DO I USE?
We always recommend using the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) toners. Generic toners are becoming more popular as the cost of the OEM toners are high. In our testing we have not encountered issues with generic toners, but that doesn’t mean there are none.
There are many factors to consider when using generic toners. Toner cartridges sit inside the image drum, which contains the printer drum (usually a green colored metallic roller). It is not known yet the long term effects of generic inks to the image drum. If something happens to the copier or printer, usually non-OEM items such as the generic toners are first to be pointed out as cause of the issue and deemed not authorized for use inside the printer, and therefore voids the warrant.
WHAT FILE TYPE CAN I USE TO PRINT?
Any file can be used, but not all files perform equally. We highly suggest to use an original vector file, which is crisp and clean.
Even when these files are converted to a bitmap (like picture files) there can be some distortion in the conversion, depending how large you allow the file to become. For instance, converting a vector file to a JPEG file, some yellowing may occur in the background where there is no image. The printer will pick this up and print a slight yellowish tone. It may not be visual on the transfer paper, but after transferring onto a white fabric, the yellow becomes very noticeable. Many will blame the transfer paper, but it’s actually the JPEG file.
When converting a file, you control the size of the file by choosing the resolution of the new file. The lower the resolution, the “dirtier” the new file becomes and the more susceptible to printing distortion around the image. Always try to retain the file as close to its original size as possible.
DO I NEED TO MIRROR MY IMAGE?
• Premium Print requires a mirrored image
• Ultimate Print Light requires a mirrored image
• Ultimate Print requires a mirrored image
• Evolution Print requires a mirrored image
• Exact Print requires a mirrored image
• Exact Print Opaque requires a mirrored image
• Opaque Print do NOT mirror the image
• Promo Print requires a mirrored image
• Exact Promo Print requires a mirrored image
• Cube Print requires a mirrored image
• Waterslide Clear Print do NOT mirror image
WHAT TEXTURE IS THE FINISHED PRODUCT?
(matte / shiny / plastic like, etc)?
• Premium Print and Evolution Print have a matte finish on fabrics. It can be made glossy with a second application using Digital Gloss paper (cold peel). The gloss finish will not hold up in washings. If you require a longer gloss finish, use with the Opaque Material and then a second application of Digital Gloss. This will extend the life of the gloss finish.
• Ultimate Print Light and Ultimate Print have a more soft satin finish. They cannot be made glossy.
• Opaque Print is a material with great opacity and excellent choice for an inexpensive option to transfer onto dark fabrics. It feels smooth and sealed very well into the fabric.
WHAT TYPE OF TEXTILES DO LASER TRANSFERS APPLY TO?
You can transfer onto 100% cotton or cotton blends, polyester, Lycra®, spandex and some nylon. Thinner textiles/fabrics or more stretchable materials, the more the coating is noticed from the transfer papers.
If using blended fabrics, use one with least amount of Polyester as the coating will appear more with greater amounts of Polyester, especially ash colored garments.
WHAT COLOR TEXTILE CAN I APPLY TRANSFER TO?
• Premium Print: for best results use white or light-colored fabrics.
• Ultimate Print Light: for best results use white or light-colored fabrics.
• Ultimate Print: for best results use white or light-colored fabrics.
• Evolution Print: for best results use white or light-colored fabrics.
• ExactPrint: for best results use white or light-colored fabrics.
When applying transfers to a pastel colored garments, the colors will be altered by the darker fabric color.
• Opaque Print: safely transfer designs onto any color fabrics without altering the colors.
• Exact Print Opaque: safely transfer designs onto any color fabrics without altering the colors.
WILL THE COLORS TRANSFER PROPERLY OR DO I NEED TO CONFIGURE/ADJUST THE RGB?
Colors should print properly, but every printer prints slight differently. You may have to adjust the colors slightly to your liking.
WILL THE COATING OF THE TRANSFER SHEET TRANSFER WELL?
Do only the inks transfer?
Yes, the coating of the Premium Print, Ultimate Print Light, Ultimate Print and Evolution Print will transfer as well. It is recommended to cut the image out as close to the edge as possible, approx.. ¼" or less.
Some fabric blends are less compatible with transfer papers, such as ash and fluorescent colors, we recommend testing. Some brands are better suited than others for transfers. Opaque Print will transfer well as long as the image is cut out, otherwise it will show the white film.
The ExactPrint and the ExactPrint Opaque will only transfer the images and not the coating around them. These two papers perform excellently when used with a white toner printer. However, when the colors of the image are darker than 30% (most Vector files), they can be used with a regular cmyk printer.
DO I NEED TO TRANSFER WITH AN INDUSTRIAL HEAT PRESS?
Can I use a standard home iron?
Yes, always use an industrial heat press. None of the laser papers will transfer with a home iron.
WHAT ARE THE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS?
Review the instructions of each paper and follow them carefully.
View All Instructions
HOW MANY WASHES DOES THE TRANSFER LAST?
Laser transfers will last at least 10 – 15 washings if properly applied. When using a color laser printer (such as the HP or Brother) the ExactPrint paper durability could be diminished to 7 to 10 washings instead because of the quality of the toner.
WILL THE TRANSFER BLEED OR THE COLORS RUN?
Dry toners are used instead of liquid inks, the laser transfers should never bleed.
CAN I TRANSFER ONTO SUBSTRATES OTHER THAN FABRICS?
Promo Print, Cube Print and Exact Promo Print transfer paper can also transfer onto a variety of hard substrates. Be sure to review the application instruction before starting. Not all hard substrates are equal, and therefore you may have to adjust the time to compensate for your substrate.
WHAT TYPE OF T-SHIRT IS BETTER?
(50 / 50 poly cotton blend)?
For washing, the 50/50 fabric blend is better. Cotton fabric will show the coating less once transferred.
HOW LONG DO I WAIT AFTER PRINTING BEFORE I CAN TRANSFER THE IMAGE?
Immediately. No need to wait before transferring the Laser Transfer Paper.
DO I NEED TO USE A COVER SHEET?
We recommend using a cover sheet with Opaque Print and ExactPrint Opaque. If you prefer to soften the texture of the other transfer papers for white fabric, feel free to use a cover sheet.
WHAT TYPE OF COVER SHEET DO I USE?
Always use a silicone treated cover sheet.
WHAT TYPE OF FINISH DOES A COVER SHEET PROVIDE?
• Kraft Paper: matte finish.
• Siliconized Cover Sheet: glossy finish
• Digital Gloss Sheet: high gloss finish
DO I PEEL THE COVER SHEET HOT OR COLD?
Most cover sheets can be peeled warm (not hot). Digital Gloss sheet must be peeled cold.
CAN THE COVER SHEET BE RE-USED?
Yes. The thicker the cover sheet, the more durable and more times it can be re-used. Semi-transparent cover sheet, use 10 times. Kraft paper, use up to 50 times. Digital Gloss sheets use 20 times. If you have ink on the cover sheet, it can transfer to the garment. At that time, it’s best to change out the cover sheet.
HOW CAN I ELIMINATE TONER ON THE COVER SHEET?
Heat press the tainted cover sheet onto a regular bond paper for a few seconds to get rid of toner. Not all the toner may disappear, but you can keep using the cover sheet without concern.
WILL OPAQUE PRINT OR EXACTPRINT OPAQUE IMAGE CRACK WHEN I STRETCH IT?
Opaque Print will not stretch much, therefore not crack. ExactPrint Opaque will stretch a bit more, but may crack depending how much the fabric stretches. As the garment has been washed in more than 6 to 8 cycles, you may start seeing regular wear and tear on the image. This is normal with all dark-colored transfers.
CAN I NOT TRANSFER THE WHITE OF INKTRA OPAQUE?
You will need to cut out any white paper you don’t want in the image, otherwise it will appear when transferred.
HOW EASY IS IT TO CUT OPAQUE PRINT?
Very easy. We recommend using sharp scissors, X-acto knife or a vinyl cutter.
WILL OPAQUE BREAK WHEN I PEEL THE FILM?
No, the paper is stretchable and will not tear.
WILL THE IMAGE TAKE ON THE PATTERN OF THE SUBSTRATE?
The laser transfer papers for white fabric will take on the texture. Opaque Print and ExactPrint Opaque will as well, but not as noticeable.
HOW WELL DOES THE PRODUCT BREATHE/AIR OUT?
Transfer papers for white fabrics are excellent stretchable and breathable materials after transferring. Opaque Print, ExactPrint and ExactPrint Opaque papers are not breathable.
WHAT DO I DO IF THE PAPER JAMS INSIDE MY FUSER UNIT?
There may be times when the transfer paper jams or gets stuck inside the printers fuser unit. First thing, don’t panic. Also, don’t try and rip the paper out of the printer as that may cause the paper to tear and make it harder to clean up.
If you have a printer or copier where fuser unit easily can be taken out, do that first. Be cautious as the unit will be hot in certain areas. Carefully asses the fuser unit, and see if you can gently pull the paper out. If the paper is fully rolled onto the fuser unit, try using a tweezer or a pen to find the edge of the paper and start lifting it up across the whole length little by little. Be very careful not to touch the silicone roller directly as you do not want to scratch or pinch it. Doing so may cause permanent marks to appear on prints. Use the interlocking gears of the fuser unit to roll the fuser roller back or forward. If by any chance the paper does tear, keep the piece that tore off to make sure when you do recover the piece inside, that you have the whole page.
Once the paper is out of the fuser unit, place it back and close the copier or printer. Print a few blank sheets in order to take the goo off the fuser roller. The heavier the paper the better. Do not try and attempt to print a transfer paper unless you can print regular copy paper without jams. Printing another transfer paper before regular paper may result in another jam. Once regular bond papers are printing blank without any spots, it is okay to proceed printing with transfer paper again.
WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE TRANSFER PAPER TO JAM?
• Using the wrong paper setting. Don’t rush. Always double check the paper settings before hitting print.
• Selecting the wrong output tray. For Canon color laser copiers, it’s very important to choose the A Tray or Top Tray for transfer papers to print properly. For many other Color Laser Printers it is important to open the back of the printer to allow the transfer paper can exit the printer as fast as possible.
• Selecting the wrong input tray. Transfer papers should always print out of the multi-purpose tray. If the printer, such as a Hewlett Packard does not have one, then choose the regular tray.
• Using partial sheets of paper. For some transfer papers, cutting a large tabloid sheets in half and proceeding to print with letter size, may be the cause of the jam. Even though most transfer papers are meant to function in both grain directions, there may be some printers that could be sensitive.
