Digital Heat Transfer Printing Singapore
Digital heat transfer printing specialises in full-colour t-shirt printing at affordable prices for small-quantity orders.
Your design is first printed onto a special industry-grade paper, then transferred onto your apparel with a heat press machine — hence the name, digital heat transfer.
The key advantage? A nice soft-touch feel instead of a plastic one, with hardly any visible bleeding along the edges of your design.
A printing method for almost any apparel
Because the design is first printed onto a separate sheet, heat transfer brings real flexibility to the process. Unlike the more popular silkscreen method — which is often limited to t-shirts — the design is heat-pressed directly onto the item, so it even works on headwear like caps that can't run through a printing machine.
A peek behind the method
There are two main types of heat transfer printing; at T-Shirt Guys we prefer the digital method, where your design is printed in reverse onto the paper before it is pressed on.
Printed in reverse
Your design is printed in reverse onto industry-grade transfer paper — much like a sticker tattoo, where the image is mirrored so it comes out the right way once applied.
Heat-pressed on
The paper is placed on your apparel and the heat press machine bonds the design directly onto the fabric — on a far larger scale, and much more permanent, than a temporary tattoo.
Temperature, pressure & timing
A great result comes down to the printer's skill in controlling the machine's temperature, pressure and timing. Over-doing any of the three can smudge or 'burn' the image; under-doing them leaves an ordinary tee without your design.
The advantages of digital heat transfer
Given the technique involved, there are several points to weigh up in deciding whether this is the right printing method for you — starting with where it shines.
Cheaper for lower volumes
Perhaps the most obvious draw: full-colour printing that stays affordable even for small quantities.
Personalised customisation
Thanks to the lower quantities, it is easy to personalise each piece individually.
Full-colour designs
Unlike embroidery, which uses thread for extra colours and adds bulk, you get the full scope of colours with no added thickness.
Wider range of fabrics
You're not limited to the usual tees and polos, so you can create matching outfits across different apparel.
Points to keep in mind
Limited lifespan
Technology has improved durability, but heat-transfer designs still fade gradually with repeated wear and washing.
Minimum fabric thickness
Because heat is applied, the fabric needs a certain thickness — thinner materials are more likely to scorch.
Design size
Very large designs aren't recommended, as the transfer paper has limited dimensions.
Weighing it up? Digital heat transfer is an economical choice for most orders, though the exact rate depends on the size and placement of your design and the quantity. Reach out and we'll help you decide which method best suits your needs.
Get your design printed today
Once you've decided digital heat transfer is right for your order, reach out through our How to Order page — we'll ask for a few details about your requirements so we can prepare a proper quotation and advice.
Have your design ready
Get your artwork ready to go so we can bring your masterpiece to life on something you're proud to wear.
Know your apparel & fabric
Let us know the type of apparel and fabric you'd like it printed on, and we can start preparing your project.
Samples of our heat transfer work
Full-colour, soft-touch heat transfer prints on tees, polos and dri-fit apparel.
See more in our recent printing gallery →
Common questions about digital heat transfer
What's the best printing method for a small order?
Digital heat transfer, in most cases — there are no screens to set up, so it's cheaper at low volumes and we can print from 1 piece.
Can you print full-colour, photographic designs?
Yes. The design is printed onto transfer paper and heat-pressed on, so photographs, gradients and unlimited colours are all fine — things silkscreen and vinyl can't do.
What can it be printed on?
A wider range of garments than most methods, including caps. The fabric does need a minimum thickness for the press, so very thin materials may not be suitable — send us the garment and we'll confirm.
How long does a heat transfer print last?
It has a shorter lifespan than silkscreen or sublimation, since the design sits on top of the fabric. For maximum durability on a long run, silkscreen is the better investment.
Bring your masterpiece to life
We can't wait to print your design onto something you're proud to wear and display. Have your artwork ready, tell us the apparel and fabric, and we'll take it from there.