UltraColour DST Custom Transfers Overview
This new DST process allows for multi-colour prints and tones/shading without the need for a keyline – The finished product is soft to the touch and the design can contain unlimited different colours, due to the DST production process which is also eco-friendly and produced using water-based inks. It allows the garment to have the look and feel of a traditional screen print design, with the added benefit of allowing you to print on demand, and combines the best parts of digital and screen heat transfers in this new DST process.
UltraColour also has a limited amount of stretch, but we would recommend testing samples prior to placing an order to ensure it has sufficient stretch for a specific garment type.
Production Leadtimes: UltraColour DST Heat Transfers
UltraColour custom heat transfers are manufactured in the UK and are usually despatched within TWO working days of confirmation of the artwork and colour references.
Artwork Requirements
For full-colour heat transfers, such as UltraColour, requires a line-based vector graphic (usually as an .EPS or .AI file format) with any text saved as outlines, or a raster file that is at least 300dpi (dots per inch) at the size required and produced using CMYK colours. If the design contains fine detail (i.e. less than 2mm in line thickness) a line-based vector graphic would be required to ensure that it’s accurately reproduced.
If you aren’t able to provide the artwork in the correct format, we don’t offer direct recommendations but many of our customers use Net Digitising (https://netdigitizing.co.uk/artwork-services/), Digitising Mart (https://digitisingmart.co.uk/vectorart.php) or David Sharp (https://davidsharp.co.uk/our-services/) to have block-colour designs, and designs with a limited amount of shading, redrawn as line-based vector graphics.
Recommended Fabrics:
- 100% Cotton
- Poly/Cotton blends
Recommended Accessories:
Are you wanting to buy a reliable heat press with the right features for your needs and not sure of what to buy? If so, read through our UK heat press guide for information based on over 30 years of experience in supplying heat presses.
Application Instructions:
- Developed to be applied with a heat press – Not intended for use with a domestic iron.
- Temp: 120-150°C (usually 150°C for 100% cotton garments)
- Time: 12 seconds
- Pressure: Medium (40-50psi)
- Peel: Cold Peel
Further to the above application instructions, pre-fusing the garments (i.e. pressing it for around 5-10 seconds on t-shirts, 10-15 seconds on hoodies) would also help as this would remove excess moisture and help to stabilise the fabric, particularly during winter/spring times of the year. In addition, peeling the backing paper when they’re completely cold should allow it to release properly.
For advice on how to correctly apply heat transfers, view our heat transfer press application tips.
After-Care Instructions:
- For best results, wash garment inside out.
- Machine wash warm up to 40°C.
- Wash using mild detergent.
- Tumble dry at a normal dryer setting on household machines.
- Do not dry clean.
- Do not use bleach.
- Can be directly ironed onto reverse (without steam).
What Are Custom Transfers?
Custom transfers are printed designs for applying to substrates, primarily garments such as t-shirts, hoodies and polo shirts using a heat press machine to bond the custom heat transfer to the fabric.
Our custom-made, heat transfers can be applied to almost any type of fabric and we offer a wide variety of finishes, including block-colour, plastisol ink-based screen transfers, and full-colour photo-quality DST custom heat transfers. Subli-dye blockers can also be added to reduce the risk of dye migration on fabrics susceptible to it, such as performance polyester.
Why Use Custom Transfers?
Custom transfers are a popular alternative to silk-screen printing as it’s a much more cost-effective method of printing in low quantities and also gives the ability to print on demand as our custom transfers are manufactured so they are ready to be heat pressed straight onto the garment fabric.
