Solving the flaky, faded transfer problem

‘Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work we go!’ could be the mantra for millions of Britain’s workforce aged 16 to 65 (and over) on a daily basis. Substitute the word work with either school or college and you can add in millions more. Many of these wear corporate clothing, safety wear or uniforms from supermarket employees through to the banking industry and construction workers.

A smartly dressed workforce produces smart results and promotes brand identity and the corporate image; key factors in today’s economy. Modern textile production techniques have allowed for a range of fabrics, which are robust enough to withstand the rigours of a rough and tumble in the playground through to the physical, dirty and potentially dangerous environment of the construction site. All work wear and uniform clothing has to withstand repeated rigorous washing often at high temperatures in order to remove the grime and grit of the workplace. Modern fabrics are now much better able to cope with this but the traditional transfer has not fared so well up to now. Repeated washing can lead to fading and cracking, even flaking, which is less than ideal. What is needed is a transfer that stays sharp right until the end of a garment’s life.

At Yorkshire-based Global Print Solutions director Paul Brook decided this was something that needed tackling head on. Working alongside Brian Heegaard in Denmark using the innovative inspirational and patented DST system they have produced a method of producing photographic quality transfers that can be applied to a wide range of woven and non-woven fabrics and are fit for the demands of 21^st century living.

The DST system produces the quality, flexibility, productivity and detailing that digital can provide alongside traditional screen printing technologies. The specially developed water based and plastisol based inks allow for the production of transfers which have stretch, are soft to the touch and are above all durable. The range of different adhesives makes it possible to decorate many types of textile or fabric that you can embellish with a traditional transfer. DST produced transfers can withstand high temperature and repeated washing at 90̊ C and also dry cleaning. This makes them ideal for all forms of work wear ensuring that the transfer images stay sharp and clear right through to the natural end of a garment’s life.

In a world where image is everything and corporate identity and brand are key components of the way in which we live, then being able to provide high quality work wear items which do the job expected of them is something we all expect. Why settle for faded flaky transfers, which promote nothing except poor image when for the relatively low unit cost per transfer your work wear and uniform items can fulfill their role for much longer than normal thus providing excellent value for money.

For more information call 01143 216596, email or visit www.globalprints.co.uk