Clothes and items with original prints have firmly entered our lives, have become a fashion trend. We enjoy wearing things with colors images and texts, but few people think about which one how prints are transferred to objects, and what is a thermal press. Drawings can be large and small, monochrome and multi-colored, this is why they are always unique - this is the main value of images, obtained by the method of thermal transfer.
What is a thermopress?
Thermopress is widely used in printing for transfer of original images from intermediate paper media to selected object. Technological process based on principles sublimation heat transfer, takes place in a thermopress in the conditions high temperature and pressure. The method is based on heating steel elements, a press of various shapes, special photo paper, paints sublimation, which transfers drawings and inscriptions to prepared for sublimation surface of the workpiece. For a quality transfer, it is important to follow three parameters - temperature control, pressure level, exposure time. IN modern models provide the possibility of flexible setting and control of all three parameters. A wide range of models allows choose the appropriate equipment for an enterprise of any format and directions - from large sewing production to small souvenir production department.
How the thermopress is arranged
The main parts of the electromechanical device - rigid a fixed platform and a movable heating element. Improved devices are equipped with digital display, fuses, levers adjustment of the clamping force, Teflon coating of the press. By using handle or pneumatics, the upper heating element opens vertically or turns horizontally.
Principle of operation
The device works by the method of thermal transfer - universal technology used in printed matter. The procedure is drawn up from successive stages:
- preparing a file with an image on a computer;
- printing on an inkjet printer filled with fast-drying sublimation ink;
- receiving an image on intermediate carrier - a special photo paper with a loose structure and a dense lining;
- subsequent application of paper to the surface of the workpiece;
- heating.
The essence of thermal transfer technology is based on on sublimation ink during heating to high temperatures - after reaching At 180°C, they change from a liquid state to a gas that forms in the surface layers of strong polyester ties, which are transformed into high-quality stable ones image.
The process of applying the image takes only a few minutes. The thermopress applies design images to objects of various composition, shapes and purposes: cups and plates, pies and T-shirts, decorative cushions and home textiles, gadget covers, mouse pads, etc. A special nozzle makes it possible to print small drawings and inscriptions souvenirs - key rings, lighters, puzzles.
Using the sublimation heat transfer method, you can make souvenir products in various editions - from a single product to several thousands, create personalized souvenirs based on a typical layout. The images are bright, the products are resistant to mechanical influences retain their original quality for a long time.
Types of thermopresses
Modern models differ in configuration and size, functionality and purpose. Highly specialized presses have a flat, cylindrical, rounded, complex shape. Practical universal devices equipped with replaceable nozzles-presses for different types of workpieces. Let's consider in detail what a thermopress of each type is, and what subtypes are devices are suitable for the most popular blanks - mugs, t-shirts, caps, mobile covers, key chains and lighters.
Depending on the purpose of the equipment and the shape of the blanks, the main types of thermopresses are distinguished:
- Flat - print images on fabrics and flat products.
- Special ones - they carry out the transfer of the picture on products of three-dimensional shape. original photos and pictures, texts and ornaments on clothes, tiles - flat products with a synthetic surface prepared for sublimation thermal transfer.
- T-shirts;
- magnets;
- wooden products;
- leather products;
- ceramics.
- Uniform heating of the thermocouple. Press temperature should be distributed evenly, otherwise the areas with low temperature will turn out faded during sublimation, and during thermal transfer the image may peel off.
- Observance of operating mode parameters. In case of violation thermal transfer temperature, image quality suffers - overheating leads to violations of color, sharpness, melting of the thermal film, insufficient heating causes peeling of the film, reduces quality and brightness of the picture.
- Evenness of pressure distribution on the working surface.
- Convenience and safety of operation. Effort during moving the heating plate creates discomfort in work. Automatic or semi-automatic equipment increases speed and productivity process.
- Installation of the workpiece and device. Movement of the plate to the side rotary models open easy and safe access to the workpiece. Vertical mechanisms give way to comfort and safety - the risk increases burns, but they require less space.
- Digital screen. Thermopresses with a digital indication of working conditions parameters on the display allow constant quality control thermal transfer dyeing.
- exploitation intensity;
- average volume of editions, lots; for advertising and souvenir goods, the optimal choice is a universal thermopress
Thermopress for T-shirts - what is it
According to the direction of movement of the thermoelement, tablet devices are divided into two main types:
Holdable. Compact tablet heat press that opens vertically upwards, is characterized by simplicity and versatility use, saves space. Depending on the design, it is suitable for blanks of various purposes and shapes, limited and large editions.
Rotary. For easy access to the workpiece, heating the element opens sideways. Safe, provide uniform pressure on the entire area of the press, convenient access, but require more space for installation.
Tablet thermopresses of any type transfer full-color designs to fabrics and flat objects:
When choosing commercial equipment, you need to pay attention on the ease of opening the press, the quality of heating, which depends on the thickness plate and number of spirals. Digital timers, controllers allow set operation parameters in advance, provide digital control and quality result.
Thermopress for mugs - what is it
Thermopresses for mugs are ideally suited for printing on cylinders - cups, glasses. A characteristic feature of the devices is cylindrical heating element, structurally the press can be opened horizontally and vertically. Horizontal devices have no limitations workpieces in height - universal presses are suitable with equal success for miniature cups and large glasses.
Thermopress for plates
The device prints images on ceramics, glass, metal, plastic plates and similar flat blanks.
For baseball caps ( cap)
The devices are equipped with three-dimensional elements: the upper concave press and the lower rounded cylindrical shape that repeats the contours heads The rounded shape of the press allows you to decorate with original prints headwear - fashionable baseball caps, sports caps or classic hats.
Universal
The multifunctional device includes several varieties thermopresses in one device, complete with replaceable nozzles for blanks of any type and configuration.
By type of drives
In addition to purpose, modern thermopresses are classified by type drive, as well as a method of creating pressure for thermal transfer of products of different shapes.
Manual thermopress - what is it
The movement of the pressing heating element is carried out manually, the sublimation process takes a relatively long time, so the device with manual control is suitable for the manufacture of single products and small edition.
What is a pneumatic thermopress
Pneumatic automated equipment is designed for large editions. Due to the automatic movement of the upper press devices are characterized by high speed and printing performance.
Vacuum thermopress - what is it
Thanks to the joint action of high temperature and vacuum discharge, you can use one compact device to transfer the picture to many products of complex three-dimensional shape.
Principle of operation
To better understand what a vacuum thermopress is, you need familiarize yourself with its device and principle of operation. The working chamber is equipped two thermocouples that quickly heat up to a temperature above 200°C. A vacuum pump with a polymer silicone membrane creates excess pressure in the thermal chamber, ensuring a dense uniform adhesion of the photo paper with the image to the work surface. After fixing the workpiece must be set to the optimal temperature regulator mode, and in a few minutes you can take out the finished product from the press.
Nuances during operation
Sometimes buyers do not quite understand what a thermopress is, which parameters of the device are most important for the performance of production tasks .
6 factors that must be taken into account when choosing a device:
What to choose: universal or specialized thermal press?
In addition to technical parameters, the choice of thermal press depends on tasks that are solved with its help - the purpose of the device. knowing what is a thermopress and how it functions, production factors should be evaluated:
For limited editions of advertising and souvenir goods, the optimal choice is - universal thermopress "all in one" with replaceable thermoelements. For narrow-profile production requires special presses - for T-shirts, cups etc. High-performance pneumatic thermopresses of well-known brands intended for the production of large batches. Keep in mind when choosing calender thermopress, that this large-format equipment transfers drawings to fabric in a roll, therefore it is used in the production of various polyester fabric products - banners, flags, tents, etc exhibition stands, materials of advertising companies.
Requirements for preparation for thermal transfer
Obtaining a full-color display without loss of quality and brightness color by thermal transfer technology requires surface preparation blanks: applying a special polyester coating for sublimation on ceramic, glass, metal and other products of non-textile origin;
the composition of the fabric should contain more than 50% synthetics, it is recommended to use polyester and its analogues - polyamide, acetate, polyacrylonitrile.
How clean the plate on the press from impurities?
If the heating element of the thermopress has traces of ink or other contamination, it can be cleaned in the following ways: If the surface of the press has a Teflon coating, it will not require cleaning a lot of time and effort. It is necessary to heat the thermopress and wash it with a napkin. Not do not forget to wear gloves to protect your hands from high temperature If the press is not protected by Teflon, you can clean the cold surface fine sandpaper or use a degreaser in half with with soapy water, disconnecting the thermal press from the mains.