decoration

Textile Glossary

Heat Transfer

Definition

A broad category of decoration methods where a design is printed onto a carrier material (transfer paper, vinyl, or film) and then applied to the garment using heat and pressure. Heat transfer encompasses vinyl transfers, screen-printed transfers, digital transfers, and DTF. Advantages include precise placement, multi-location decoration in one pressing, and the ability to decorate difficult areas like seams, zippers, and pockets.