What’s the difference between hot stamping and Hanli heat transfer printing?

Hanli Thermal Transfer Printing The color will be relatively plain! Moreover, heat transfer printing can achieve a photographic effect—simply provide a high‑resolution image file, and you can reproduce photo‑quality results. However, the sublimation paper used in heat‑transfer printers doesn’t deliver the same level of sharpness as traditional heat‑transfer printing. Fabrics printed with sublimation paper contain polyester; the higher the polyester content, the more vibrant the colors. Of course, these colors also depend on temperature and duration: generally speaking, the longer the process and the higher the temperature, the brighter the hues will appear.

Next, let’s talk about the hand feel after heat transfer. With sublimation paper, the ink penetrates the fabric, resulting in a softer touch. And… Hanli Thermal Transfer Printing The back side is coated with hot-melt adhesive, making it difficult to apply a film; it seems as though something is already adhered to the fabric’s surface.

Of course, their temperature and duration differ! Generally, the hot‑stamping temperature should be maintained between 130°C and 150°C, with a pressing time of no less than 6 seconds and no more than 10 seconds. However, these settings should be adjusted according to the specific product. As for sublimation paper, the temperature should be set between 200°C and 230°C, with a pressing time of approximately 15 to 20 seconds.

Hanli Thermal Transfer Printing It is a new printing technology introduced from abroad. Thermal transfer printing consists of two stages: transfer and post‑processing. The process employs dot‑matrix printing (with resolutions up to 500 dpi), whereby the design is pre‑printed onto a transfer film. This results in rich tonal gradations, vivid colors, versatile patterns, minimal color variation, and excellent reproducibility—meeting designers’ requirements and making it well suited for high‑volume production. During post‑processing, a thermal transfer printer applies heat and pressure in a single step to transfer the intricate design from the transfer film onto the product’s surface. Once cured, the ink layer fuses seamlessly with the substrate, delivering lifelike, aesthetically pleasing results that significantly elevate the product’s perceived quality. For custom lettering, thermal transfer films allow users to design their own patterns directly on a computer, perform engraving and waste removal, and then apply high‑temperature transfer—offering a simple, rapid workflow that eliminates the need for plate-making and is ideal for small‑scale designs.

Hanli Thermal Transfer Printing Advantages: excellent transfer results, highly aesthetic; low labor and material costs; fast production and high efficiency. It offers a wide range of applications, suitable for ironing textiles on garments, bags, shoes, hats, and more.

Hanli Thermal Transfer Printing Drawback: The substrate must be heat‑resistant, as the process involves high‑temperature heating. If you’re unsure whether your fabric meets this requirement, you can send a sample to the manufacturer for testing.