Glossary
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Back print - Back print is the part on the back of the carrier sheet which allows the user to ascertain which side of the paper to print on. Back print can be a colored line or the logo of the Manufacturer or Distributor of the paper.
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Carrier Paper - Another term for transfer paper, coined for the way the paper "carries" the image from one substrate to another.
CLC/Color Laser Copier - Color copiers which utilize a digital-scanning process to store images in memory to produce multiple prints. Color copiers use a four-color process consisting of cyan (blue), yellow, magenta (red) and black to reproduce color. Copiers use heat, oil and pressure to fuse toners onto a substrate.
Coating - The surface of the transfer paper, which, along with the printer inks affixed to it, is transferred to the substrate. Most coatings are transparent or semi-transparent and should only be used on white or light-colored substrates. For dark substrates, look for a transfer paper with an opaque coating.
Cold-Peel - A transfer paper that is designed to have its paper backing removed after the garment has cooled. Results in a glossy appearance. This type of transfer may be done by using a heat press, or by hand-ironing.
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Digital Sublimation Printer - Printers used to transfer images directly into polyester-coated substances. Inks are turned into a gaseous state, held by the sublimation paper and transferred to a substrate where they return to their original state and solidify.
Dry-Resin Printers - Printers using a dry ribbon to transfer ink. Heat from the print head softens the color and embeds it in the substrate. Resulting images are very water-resistant.
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Grain Direction - The direction that the pulp fibers in a sheet of paper are aligned. Print properties of a sheet are determined by whether it is printed with the grain (long-grain) or across the grain (short-grain).
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Hand - A term used to describe the relative stiffness of a transfer on a garment, both before and after washing. It is based on the amount of film that is transferred to the garment as part of the image. A "soft" hand indicates a relative softness, but may be less durable. A "hard" hand is more stiff, but may have greater durability
Hand-Ironing - Using a hand-held iron, rather than a heat press, to transfer images from the transfer paper to a garment. Should be used with cold-peel paper only.
Hard Hand - A term used to describe the relative stiffness of a transfer on a garment, both before and after washing. It is based on the amount of film that is transferred to the garment as part of the image. A "hard" hand is stiffer, but may have greater durability.
Heat Press - A commercial machine that transfers images to substrates via high heat (375 degrees or greater) and high pressure. Can be used with either hot-peel or cold-peel paper.
Heating Cycle - A set program on a heat press--consisting of specified temperature, pressure and duration--necessary to produce a transfer.
Heat-Transfer Process - The action of embedding an image onto heat-transfer paper, transferring it to another substrate using heat and pressure, and then removing the paper backing from the substrate to yield a durable, washable final product.
Hot-Peel - A transfer paper that is designed to have its paper backing removed as soon as the garment is removed from the heat press, without being allowed to cool. Results in a matte finish. This type of transfer is best done by using a heat press.
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Indigo Digital Printing Press - Indigo presses use a unique electronic printing process, called Digital Offset Color(TM), which combines high-performance digital imaging technology with a liquid ink offset printing press, merging the benefits of on-demand electronic printing with the qualities of offset printing.
Inkjet Printer - Printers that use water-based inks in cartridges, forced out by bubbles within the cartridge. Inkjet printers are inexpensive, portable, easy-to-use. To ensure optimal quality CMW recommends using OEM inks.
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Laser Printer - Laser printers use static electricity to create the printed pattern on a drum, which is then coated in toner powder. This powder is melted in the fuser, and then transferred to a sheet of paper.
Long-Grain - A sheet of paper whose grain direction runs parallel to the long side of the sheet.
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OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer. A manufacturer that provides a product to its customers, who proceed to modify or bundle it before distributing it to their customers.
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Paper Backing - Protective paper that covers and protects the carrier ("live") side of dark-fabric heat-transfer papers until they are ready to be transferred. Paper backing is peeled away immediately prior to heating.
Parchment Sheet - Silica-coated cover sheet that protects the iron or heat press from the transfer-paper coating, and may also serve to help transfer the coating to the substrate.
Print-for-Pay - Industry category including companies that decorate items for sale, including screen printers and t-shirt shops.
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Short-Grain - A sheet of paper whose grain direction runs parallel to the short side of the sheet. Often created by cutting an 11" x 17" long-grain sheet into two 8.5" x 11" short-grain sheets.
Soft Hand - A term used to describe the relative softness of a transfer on a garment, both before and after washing. It is based on the amount of film that is transferred to the garment as part of the image.
Solid Ink Printers - A printer using hardened ink sticks that that are melted and sprayed through small nozzles on the printhead. The paper is then sent through a fuser roller which further forces the ink onto the paper.
Substrate - The article that receives the image from the transfer paper. Most commonly 100% cotton or cotton/poly-blend t-shirts, may also be caps, mousepads, polyester materials, or smooth-surface items like mugs.
Sublimation - Sublimation printing is the process of using heat-sensitive dyes to print images onto a special substrate before transferring the inks, which have been temporarily turned to into a gas, to polyester or any polymer coated item where they return to liquid and harden.
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Thermal-Wax Printers - Printers using sheet-sized, belt-driven CMYK ribbons and specially-coated paper or transparencies. The printhead contains heating contacts that melt each colored wax onto the paper as it is rolled through the printer.
Toner - Powdered inks used in laser printers and color laser copiers. Toner is heated and fused to the paper to produce a printed image.
Transfer Paper - Paper used to transfer photos, graphics or text via heat and pressure from one surface to another.
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Wide-Format Sublimation Printer - Sublimation printers using rolls of substrate up to 36 inches wide.
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