How to Apply Screen Printed Transfers (Plastisol) onto Football Shirts

How to Apply Screen Printed Transfers (Plastisol) onto Football Shirts (Heat Press & Household Iron)

🌡️ Quick Reference Guide

Pressing Method Temperature (°C) Press Time Peel Type Pressure Level
Professional Heat Press 145°C – 155°C 10 – 12 seconds Formula Dependent (Hot or Cold) High (4–5 bar)
Household Iron ~150°C (Cotton/Polyester Blend) 20 – 25 seconds Cold Peel (Safest for Iron) Very Heavy (Maximum Force)

🏭 Method 1: Professional Heat Press

  1. Set Machine Parameters: Set your heat press to 145°C – 155°C (use low-bleed screen print formulas designed specifically for polyester) and set pressure to High.

  2. Pre-press the Jersey: Press the shirt flat for 3–5 seconds to remove moisture and shrink the polyester fibers before applying paper.

  3. Position Transfer Paper: Lay the screen printed transfer paper ink-side down onto the jersey.

  4. Press: Cover with a Teflon sheet and clamp down firmly for 10–12 seconds under heavy pressure.

  5. Peel (Based on Paper Type):

    • Hot Peel Paper: Smoothly peel the backing paper immediately off within 2 seconds while the shirt is still hot.

    • Cold Peel Paper: Wait until the paper and garment are completely cold before peeling away the paper backing.

🏠 Method 2: Household Iron

  1. Iron & Surface Prep: Set iron between Synthetic and Cotton Blend (~145°C–150°C). Turn steam 100% OFF. Work on a rigid wooden board or countertop to ensure uniform force transfer.

  2. Pre-iron Area: Iron the target area for 5 seconds to warm up the fabric and remove humidity.

  3. Position & Cover: Place the screen print transfer paper ink-side down and cover with parchment paper.

  4. Step 1 — Heavy Press: Apply maximum vertical body-weight force directly over the transfer paper for 20–25 seconds.

  5. Step 2 — Cool & Peel: Allow the transfer paper to cool completely down to room temperature.

  6. Step 3 — Paper Removal & Finish: Peel the backing paper back slowly flat against itself. Place parchment paper over the screen-printed ink and press straight down for 3 seconds to smooth out the print texture.

💡 Pro Tip: Screen printed transfers require high, uniform pressure to split the plastisol or water-based ink layer evenly off the backing paper. A Professional Heat Press is strongly recommended over a household iron for screen print transfers to prevent cracking or partial ink release.