Learn About Water Transfer Printing: Process, Equipment, and Design
Process production process:
1. Clean the surface
Before spraying primer, make sure that the items to be transferred are clean and free of dust, grease, dirt, water, and other contaminants that may affect the transfer effect.
2. Spray Base coat
Spraying primer is an important preparation step in the water transfer printing process. It can ensure that the final water transfer printing effect has good adhesion, uniform color, and smooth surface. At the same time, choosing the right primer can also positively impact the final result.
3. Drying Base Coating
Curing the primer will help set the surface layer in place for the next step.
4. Spray activator
Spray the activator in an even pattern over the surface of the water. Activator is a special solution whose ingredients can quickly dissolve the water transfer film, releasing the contained pattern.
5. Dipping
After spraying the activator, immerse the items to be transferred in water along the 45° angle. In this way, the pattern on the water transfer film will be evenly transferred to the surface of the object. When removing, you need to slowly remove the object from the water and maintain a stable posture during the removal process.
6. Washing
After the impregnation process, the product is washed to remove the residue of the PVA film.
7. Drying For Removing Water
After dipping, the transferred items can be placed in a drying oven or drying tunnel to remove moisture. You can also place them outside if there is plenty of sunlight.
8. Top Coating
Applying a topcoat can provide a protective layer to protect the water transfer pattern from damage from the external environment, such as wiping, abrasion, etc. Depending on the topcoat selected, the gloss of the surface of the object can be changed, such as choosing gloss, matte, etc.
Equipment required for water transfer printing:
1. Paint Spray Booth
A spray booth is an enclosed or semi-enclosed structure used to spray paint on items.
2. Hydro-dipping equipment
The equipment is divided into semi-automatic hydro-dipping equipment, fully automatic hydro-dipping equipment, and manual hydro-dipping equipment.
3. Drying equipment
Used to dry products after spray painting, which can reduce drying time
4. Hydro-dipping rinse machine
Used to clean residual PVA water film residue on the surface of water-immersed products
Water transfer film design
1. Customizable
Provide AI/PDF design drawings, original film samples, or printed artifacts
2. Spot selection
TSAUTOP has over 20,000 water-dipped patterns. The hydrographic films you are looking for can be found here:
Carbon fiber water transfer film: Carbon fiber water transfer film imitates the appearance of real carbon fiber and is widely used in auto parts, electronic products, sports equipment, etc.
Wood grain water transfer film: has the appearance of real wood and is usually used in furniture, interior decoration, and various decorations.
Camouflage water transfer film: Commonly used on outdoor gear, firearms, and hunting equipment to provide effective camouflage in various environments.
Cartoon water transfer film: often used on children’s toys, bicycle helmets, mobile phone cases, and various accessories to add a fun and personalized feel.
