The fastest path to numbered jerseys, name-and-number teamwear, and small-batch personalization. Vinyl, plastisol, and screen-printed transfers, pre-cut or pre-printed and heat-pressed onto the garment. Per-piece individualization with no per-name upcharge.
Heat transfer is an umbrella term for several techniques (vinyl cutting, pre-printed plastisol transfers, screen-printed transfers) all sharing the same basic flow: produce the artwork on a carrier, then heat-press onto the garment. The right variant depends on art complexity and quantity.
Vinyl for solid colors and names/numbers. Plastisol transfers for screen-print quality without the screen setup. Choice depends on art and quantity.
Vinyl plotter cuts color sheets to shape and weeds out the negative space. Plastisol transfers print onto release paper and dry partially-cured.
Each transfer aligns to the garment by hand or with a registration jig, name above number, sponsor logo on the chest, all to the millimeter.
Press at 320°F for 10–20 seconds depending on transfer type. Peel hot or cold per transfer spec, and the design is permanently bonded.
Heat transfer wins on speed, individualization, and clean solid-color text. It struggles with full-color art and very large designs.
Quick-scan specs so you can size up a project before requesting a quote.
The questions we hear most from teams and personalization customers.
DTF is technically a type of heat transfer, but when people say "heat transfer" they usually mean vinyl or plastisol transfers cut/printed on a carrier, then pressed on. Vinyl is best for solid colors and bold text; plastisol transfers are screen-printed onto release paper and read like screen printing. DTF is full-color, photo-real, with just a 3-piece minimum. We use whichever fits the job.
Often yes, heat transfers have the shortest production cycle of any method we offer. Same-day is realistic for vinyl jobs under 24 pieces if our press queue is clear. Call us first (888.682.7773) so we can confirm capacity before you commit to a timeline.
Send a spreadsheet (name, number, jersey size) and we'll handle the rest. We name-up each transfer, batch them by garment, and stage them so when each shirt hits the press, your name and your number are right there ready to go on. No upcharge for unique names or numbers.
Quality vinyl and plastisol transfers will outlast 50+ wash cycles when applied at proper temperature and pressure. Cheap heat transfers (the kind from craft kits) start peeling after 10. That's not what we use. Wash inside-out in cold water, tumble low, and the transfer will outlast the garment.
Yes, and we choose the film accordingly. Standard vinyl cracks on heavy stretch; performance vinyl is engineered to stretch with the fabric without lifting. For dri-fit and other technical garments we use low-temperature films so we don't scorch the substrate.
Reflective heat transfer film is a major part of safety apparel, high-vis vests, hi-viz jackets, road workers, fire/EMS. We carry ANSI-grade reflective film and can do striping, lettering, and full graphics. Mention it on the quote.
Pick your garments in the catalog and send the job through. We'll price it and respond within one business day, often same-day for time-critical work.
Start a heat transfer quote