America's Best Stock & Custom Transfers
Spot Color Transfer Specifications
Line weights must be 2pt or greater for dark inks, 3pt for light inks. Open areas must be a minimum of 2pt for dark inks, 3pt for light inks. 12pt minimum text size for dark inks, 14pt text for light inks. It’s advised to avoid halftones and small details on light inks in order to maintain proper ink thickness for opacity and coverage. Due to printing tolerances of our equipment, it is necessary to trap artwork .25pt for transfer printing.
E-Mail: artdept@dowlinggraphics.com
Please reference your salesperson when sending files; or files may be misdirected or delayed. Include contact information in your e-mail (Company Name, contact person, phone # and e-mail address). Do not send files larger than 20 megabytes (20mb), and fax a hard copy to us for verification, otherwise a proof will be sent to you. A .jpg file can be sent for viewing and quoting purposes, but is not considered finished art, and a quote based on a .jpg file may change after receiving an acceptable file.
You can also send files via our FTP server. In order to use this, you need a FTP program, such as Filezilla, which can be downloaded here.
To log in, use the following information:
ftp://dowlinggraphics.com
Username: client@dowlinggraphics.com
Password: dowlinggraphics
Removable Media Accepted
Mac & PC-DVD and CD, Zip 100 and 250 disks.Some PC files may require converting.
Dowling Graphics Stock Color Chart
Applying Custom and Stock Heat Transfers
There are no absolutes when applying heat transfers. A number of variables may affect each job. TIME, TEMPERATURE, and PRESSURE may need to be adjusted depending on:
- 1. The type of transfer you are applying.
- 2. The thickness of the ink deposit on the Heat Transfer.
- 3. The thickness and/or texture of the garment or other substrate on which you are pressing.
- 4. The color and/or fiber content of the garment or other substrate on which you are pressing.
As a starting point for each job always read the Pressing Instructions included with your transfers. Adjust your transfer press settings to the proper levels prior to pressing a TEST GARMENT. Always order enough transfers to allow for test pressing prior to pressing your order. Test pressing will save you time and money. Once you have tested and achieved a satisfactory print, begin pressing your order. If you encounter a problem while pressing your order STOP do not damage more than one garment. Recheck your settings, especially TEMPERATURE. Ambient temperature, air movement and a high volume of pressing can cause a fluctuation in heat platen temperature. For maximum shelf life, store unused transfers in the original poly bag, in a cool dry location. If you encounter an application problem that you cannot resolve call your Dowling Graphics Customer Service Respresentative.
Checking your pressure:
Start off with your pressure set so that a piece of paper inserted in the end of your press slips out when the press is closed. Gradually increase the pressure just until the paper is snug and cannot be pulled out. Do not tighten further.
Spot color hot peel transfers
For optimum results prepress garment or substrate 2-3 seconds before applying the transfer. Apply the transfer in accordance with the recommended SPOT COLOR specifications. PEEL HOT, remove the transfer paper as soon as the heat platen is completely open. You may allow SPOT COLOR transfers to cool slightly before peeling for increased opacity.
Opaque Transfers
For optimum results prepress garment or substrate 3-5 seconds before applying the transfer. Apply the transfer in accordance with the recommended OPAQUE specifications. PEEL COOL, remove the transfer paper 3-5 seconds after the heat platen is completely open. To increase opacity cold peel the transfer.
4-color process transfers
For optimum results prepress garment or substrate 2-3 seconds before applying the transfer. Apply the transfer in accordance with the recommended PROCESS COLOR specifications. PEEL HOT, remove the transfer paper as soon as the heat platen is completely open.