Glossary

GLOSSARY

Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Direct-to-Film (DTF)

DTF Printer: The printer specifically designed to print designs onto the DTF film using specialized inks.
DTF Film: The special film used as a carrier for the ink that will be transferred onto the fabric.
Release Film: A protective layer on top of the DTF film that is peeled off after printing and before transferring the design.
Adhesive Powder: Powder applied onto the printed DTF film to enhance adhesion to the fabric during the transfer process.
Heat Transfer Press: A machine used to apply heat and pressure to transfer the DTF design from the film onto the fabric.
Curing: The process of applying heat to the transferred design to ensure proper adhesion and durability.
Peel: The action of removing the release film after heat pressing, leaving the printed design on the fabric.
White Ink: Specialized ink used in DTF printing for printing white designs on colored fabrics.
Color Profile: Settings and adjustments made to ensure accurate color reproduction during the printing process.
Rip Software: Software used to prepare and optimize designs for printing on DTF printers, including color management and image processing tools.

EMBROIDERY

Digitizing: The process of converting artwork into a digital embroidery file that machines can interpret.
Embroidery Hoop: A frame used to hold the fabric taut and in place during the embroidery process.
Stitch Density: The number of stitches per unit area in an embroidered design, affecting its density and appearance.
Underlay Stitch: Initial stitches that create a foundation for the design, providing stability and preventing distortion.
Top Stitch: The visible stitches that form the design on top of the fabric.

EMBROIDERY DIGITIZING

Embroidery Digitizing: The process of converting artwork into a digital embroidery file that can be read by an embroidery machine.
Stitch File: The digital file format (e.g., .DST, .PES, .EXP) that contains the embroidery design instructions for the machine.
Vector Graphics: Digital graphics created using mathematical equations (lines and shapes), ideal for converting into embroidery designs.
Stitch Types: Different types of stitches used in embroidery, such as satin stitch, fill stitch, and running stitch.
Density: The spacing and concentration of stitches in an embroidery design, affecting the design's appearance and durability.
Underlay: Initial stitches laid down to provide stability and foundation for the design, preventing fabric distortion.
Pull Compensation: Adjustments made in digitizing to compensate for fabric stretching or distortion during the embroidery process.
Jump Stitch: A gap between two areas of stitching that the embroidery machine jumps over to avoid unnecessary thread connections.
Editing Software: Software used to create, edit, and optimize embroidery designs before digitizing, such as Wilcom, Embird, or Adobe Illustrator.

FILM TRANSFERS

Transfer Film: The carrier film that holds the design or image to be transferred onto the substrate.
Heat Transfer: The process of applying heat and pressure to transfer the design from the film onto the substrate.
Release Liner: The protective backing or liner on the transfer film that is removed before heat pressing.
Substrate: The material onto which the design is transferred, such as fabric, paper, or plastic.
Hot Peel: A type of transfer where the release liner is removed immediately after heat pressing while the substrate is still hot.
Cold Peel: A type of transfer where the release liner is removed after allowing the substrate to cool down post-heat pressing.
Multi-Color Transfer: Transfer film that allows for multiple colors to be applied in a single heat transfer process.
Adhesive Layer: The layer on the transfer film that adheres to the substrate when heat and pressure are applied.
Transfer Temperature: The specific temperature required during heat pressing to ensure proper adhesion of the transfer film to the substrate.
Transfer Time: The duration of heat and pressure applied during the heat pressing process to transfer the design onto the substrate.

LAMINATION

Laminator: A machine used to encase documents or materials between layers of plastic film.
Lamination Pouch: A sealed pouch with layers of plastic film that encloses documents before being fed through a laminator.
Laminating Film: Transparent plastic sheets, typically available in various thicknesses (measured in mils), used for laminating.
Cold Lamination: A lamination process that uses pressure-sensitive adhesive laminating film, requiring no heat.
Hot Lamination: A lamination process that uses heat-activated adhesive laminating film to seal documents.
Laminating Carrier: A protective sleeve used during hot lamination to prevent adhesive from sticking to the rollers of the laminator.
Mil Thickness: Measurement unit (1 mil = 1/1000th of an inch) used to indicate the thickness of laminating film.
Laminating Speed: The rate at which documents are fed through the laminator, typically measured in inches per minute (IPM).
Edge Seal: The sealed edge around a laminated document that prevents moisture and dirt from penetrating the laminate.
Laminating Temperature: The temperature setting on a laminator for hot lamination, ensuring proper adhesion of the laminating film to the document.

SUBLIMATION

Sublimation Printing: A digital printing process where heat and pressure are used to transfer dye onto materials such as fabric or ceramics.
Sublimation Ink: Specialized ink that converts from a solid to a gas without passing through a liquid state during the printing process.
Sublimation Paper: Specially coated paper used to hold sublimation ink before it is transferred onto the substrate.
Heat Press: A machine used to apply heat and pressure to transfer sublimation ink from paper onto the substrate.
Substrate: The material onto which sublimation ink is transferred, such as polyester fabric, ceramic, metal, or certain plastics.
Dye Sublimation: The chemical process where solid dye particles are converted into a gas and permeate the substrate's fibers or coating.
Transfer Time: The duration of heat and pressure applied during sublimation printing to ensure proper ink transfer and fixation.
Ghosting: Faint or shadow-like images that can appear on sublimated products if there is movement during the heat press process.
Heat Tape: Heat-resistant tape used to secure sublimation paper onto the substrate during the heat press process to prevent shifting.
Color Management: Techniques and processes used to ensure accurate color reproduction in sublimation printing, often involving color profiles and calibration.

VINYL

Vinyl Cutter: A machine that uses a sharp blade to cut designs and shapes from sheets of vinyl.
Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV): Vinyl material with an adhesive backing that can be applied to fabrics using heat and pressure.
Adhesive Vinyl: Vinyl material with a sticky backing used for creating stickers, decals, and graphics for various surfaces.
Weeding: The process of removing excess vinyl material from around or inside the cut design.
Transfer Tape: A semi-transparent tape used to transfer cut vinyl designs from the backing paper to the target surface.
Permanent Vinyl: Vinyl with a strong adhesive designed for long-term outdoor use, resistant to water and UV rays.
Removable Vinyl: Vinyl with a less aggressive adhesive that can be removed without leaving residue, ideal for temporary applications.
Print and Cut: A process where designs are printed on vinyl and then cut using a vinyl cutter, allowing for color printing on vinyl.