The difference between thermal transfer printing and water transfer printing
The printing method of transferring the graphics and text on the intermediate carrier film to the substrate using corresponding pressure is called transfer printing. Depending on the pressure used, transfer printing is divided into: heat transfer printing, water transfer printing, air transfer printing, screen transfer printing, low temperature transfer printing, etc.
1. Thermal transfer printing technology
Thermal transfer printing is to print the pattern on the heat-resistant adhesive paper. By heating and pressurizing, the pattern of the ink layer is printed on the paper. A technique on finished materials. Even for multi-color patterns, since the transfer operation is only one process, customers can shorten the printing pattern operation and reduce material (finished product) losses due to printing errors. Using thermal transfer film printing, multi-color patterns can be printed at one time without color registration. Simple equipment can also print realistic patterns.
Thermal transfer printing equipment is used to decorate aluminum profiles and various metal plates, and can achieve the effect of wood products or marble. Thermal transfer printing equipment works based on the principle of thermal sublimation. It can quickly transfer the required wood grain or marble grain to the surface of the aluminum profile powder coating within 3-5 minutes and can penetrate into the interior of the coating for 40-60 minutes. Micron. Aluminum transfer printing production process: First, use a film machine to roll the thermal transfer film to the required size. The second is to use a transfer ultrasonic packaging machine to ultrasonically weld the cut transfer film into a workpiece wrapping bag according to the size of the workpiece. The third is to insert the workpiece into the workpiece wrapping bag made of transfer film on the packaging platform. The fourth is to place the workpiece wrapped with the transfer film on the trolley platform of the heat transfer machine. 18 aluminum materials can be placed in sequence. Connect both ends of the aluminum material to vacuum taps and lock them. Turn on the vacuum switch. At this time, the transfer film is tight. Clings tightly to the aluminum. The trolley automatically delivers the aluminum material to the baking oven. The oven automatically heats up to 220 degrees and keeps it warm for 3 minutes. The trolley automatically exits the baking oven. Fifth, loosen the vacuum tap and remove the workpiece. Sixth, remove the transfer film and check the quality of the workpiece.
Lithographic heat transfer production process: First, use a film cutting machine to cut the heat transfer paper roll into the required size. The second is to attach the thermal transfer paper film to the surface of the workpiece and place it on the flatbed thermal printer. The third is to push the flat plate to the heating area of ??the flat plate heat transfer machine, press the pressure plate switch, and the pressure plate will press the heat transfer paper tightly on the workpiece, heat and keep it warm for one minute. The fourth is to raise the pressure plate, push the workpiece to the piece section, remove the transfer film, remove the workpiece and inspect it.
Thermal transfer printing technology is widely used in electrical appliances, daily necessities, building materials and decoration, etc. Due to its properties such as anti-corrosion, impact resistance, aging resistance, wear resistance, fire resistance, and non-discoloration for 15 years when used outdoors, almost all products are labeled using this method. For example, when you open a mobile phone case, you can see densely packed labels with barcodes inside. Many labels are required to withstand the test of time, not deform or fade for a long time, cannot be worn due to contact with solvents, and cannot be deformed or discolored due to high temperatures. Therefore, it is necessary to use a special printing medium and printing materials to ensure these characteristics. Generally, Inkjet and laser printing technologies are beyond reach.
2. Water transfer printing technology
It is known as a relatively environmentally friendly technology and is also the most emerging type of efficient printing production. It is probably related to its separation from the ink in the printing process. Water transfer printing uses water pressure and activator to dissolve and transfer the peeling layer on the water transfer printing carrier film. The basic process is: 1) Film printing: printing various patterns on the polymer film; 2) Spray primer : Many materials must be coated with a layer of adhesive, such as metals, ceramics, etc. If you want to transfer different patterns, you must use different background colors. For example, wood grains are basically brown, brown, khaki, etc., and stone grains are basically white. etc.; 3) Extension of the film: let the film lie flat on the water, and wait for the film to stretch and become flat; 4) Activation: use a special solvent (activator) to activate the pattern of the transfer film into an ink state; 5) Transfer: use Water pressure will print the activated pattern on the printed object; 6) Washing: Wash the remaining impurities on the printed workpiece with water; 7) Drying: Dry the printed workpiece. The temperature depends on the nature and melting point of the material. It depends; 8) Spray topcoat: spray transparent protective paint to protect the surface of the printed object; 9) Drying: dry the surface of the object after spraying topcoat. If you don’t understand the details, you can take a look here and add me QQ264326764