How It’s Made at Altrum | Transfer Printing
March 14, 2025, In How It's Made at Altrum
At Altrum, we take pride in our dedication to high-quality craftsmanship, adaptability, and creative problem-solving that each new project may require. One of the special techniques we use in our Canadian factory is transfer printing. Transfer printing is particularly suited for pieces that have rounded or curved edges or surfaces, or pieces that have especially intricate designs that prevent us from using other methods like direct printing. This process, which involves applying images to three-dimensional objects, allows us to achieve top-notch prints on all pieces no matter the shape or curvature!
The Art of Transfer Printing
Transfer printing is a method that allows us to apply prints to the surfaces of three-dimensional pieces like deal toys and awards by transferring a pre-printed image onto the piece by hand. This technique is especially valuable when we are dealing with complex shapes or detailed artwork, ensuring that the final product maintains the integrity of the original design presented by our art and account management team.
Our Transfer Printing Process: A Step-by-Step Overview
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Design Preparation: Our process begins with the creation of a detailed design, tailored to the specific dimensions and contours of the piece. This design is prepared using specialized software to ensure precision and accuracy.
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Printing the Image: The prepared design is printed onto a specialized transfer medium using high-quality, durable ink. This step is crucial for achieving the utmost clarity for the final product.
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Surface Preparation: Our team cleans and preps the surface to make sure there are no dust particles or other debris that may disrupt the print. This may involve cleaning, priming, or other surface treatments depending on the material.
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Application of the Transfer: The printed transfer is carefully aligned and applied to the deal toy or award. Given the challenges posed by curved or irregular surfaces, this step requires a steady hand and keen attention to detail to avoid misalignment or air bubbles!
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Adhesion and Drying: Once applied, our team trims any excess off with a precise razor blade, and then the transfer is inspected and goes through a process to promote adhesion. This may involve the use of heat, pressure, or time to ensure that the design firmly bonds to the piece and doesn’t budge.
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Finishing Touches: After the transfer has adhered and any excess material is removed, the piece undergoes final inspections and any necessary touch-ups. Voila!
Attention to Detail and Handcrafted Excellence
Each step of the transfer printing process is performed by the extremely skilled members of our team at our factory in Canada who bring a wealth of experience and a discerning eye to their work. The manual nature of this technique means that every piece is unique, reflecting the dedication and craftsmanship of each member. This hands-on approach ensures that even the most intricate designs are rendered with precision and that the quality of our products meets the highest standards!
Why Choose Transfer Printing?
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Versatility: Transfer printing allows us to print on the most complex shapes and surfaces that are challenging for other printing methods like direct printing or screen printing.
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Detail Preservation: This technique is ideal for intricate designs, ensuring that fine details are accurately reproduced.
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Durability: The process results in a durable finish that withstands handling and environmental factors, preserving the integrity of the design over time.
At Altrum, our commitment to high quality craftsmanship and production drives us to find and employ creative techniques like transfer printing to meet the diverse needs of our clients and make all their deal toy and award dreams possible!
This meticulous process, executed by our skilled artisans, ensures that each piece we produce is not only a testament to our craftsmanship but also a lasting symbol of the achievements it commemorates!
Check out this video of our transfer printing process below!
How It’s Made at Altrum | Transfer Printing
Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to see more inside looks and sneak peeks at the deal toy and award production process!
