What Printing Methods Are Used for PET Printed Film?

PET (polyester) printed film is a high-precision, durable transfer material widely used in heat transfer applications for garments, bags, footwear, and other industries. The main printing methods include:

1. Digital Inkjet Printing

Process: Uses UV or water-based ink to print directly on PET film without plate-making.

Advantages:

• Ideal for small batches and customized designs with flexible production.

• Capable of high-precision, gradient-rich patterns (e.g., photorealistic effects).

• White ink + color ink combination, perfect for dark fabrics.

Disadvantages: Higher per-unit cost, suitable for mid-to-high-end markets.

2. Offset Printing (CMYK Lithography)

Process: Traditional four-color (CMYK) printing on PET film, requiring plate-making.

Advantages:

• Cost-effective for mass production.

• Stable color output, suitable for standardized orders (e.g., corporate uniforms).

Disadvantages:

• Cannot print white ink alone; dark fabrics require an additional white adhesive layer.

• High plate-making cost, not economical for small batches.

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3. Screen Printing

Process: Ink is manually or mechanically scraped onto PET film through a mesh screen.

Advantages:

• Thick ink layers with high color saturation.

• Suitable for single-color or spot-color designs (e.g., logos, text).

Disadvantages:

• Not ideal for complex gradient patterns.

• Plate-making is cumbersome, and multi-color registration is less precise.

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4. Dye-Sublimation Printing

Process: The design is first printed on transfer paper and then heat-pressed onto PET film.

Advantages:

• Vibrant colors, ideal for synthetic fabrics.

Disadvantages:

• Only suitable for light or white PET film; poor performance on dark backgrounds.

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  5.Summary:

  • High-end customization: Opt for digital inkjet printing (e.g., Discharge ink solutions).

  • Mass production orders: Offset printing + white-backed PET film is the optimal choice.

  • Special effects: Combine with screen printing (thick ink layers) or 3D heat transfer techniques.

  Mastering these key points can significantly enhance the competitiveness and profitability of PET printed film products!