Glossary of Terms
Brush up on your screen print slang, transfer terminology, and design dialect with this comprehensive glossary of terms. Have a suggestion for a new term? Let us know!
A
Adhesive - Component used in the manufacturing of screen printed heat transfers that provides additional durability and versatility.
In this design, the maroon is a full backup to the gold.
B
Backup - A bottom layer of ink that usually has a visible contour around the design.
Bitmap (BMP) - A raster image file format.
Bling - Vinyl material with a textured glitter appearance used for pre-spaced names and numbers.
Butcher Paper - Can be used as a cover sheet to protect the garment during application.
Butt Registration - When two ink colors meet exactly without any gapping or overlapping.
C
Carrier - Refers to the sheet of paper or film that the transfer is printed on.
Choke - To reduce the thickness of the outer edge of the bottom layer of ink, typically an underbase, so that the top layer of ink overlaps.
Clear - Plastisol screen printed heat transfer used to create tone-on-tone effects. Learn more here.
A color wash allows you to order multiple color setups at a more cost-effective price.
Color Guide - Guide featuring actual ink and vinyl swatches. Available here.
Color Match - A service offered to custom match a specific color, typically a Pantone® color.
Color Wash - Service offered that allows you to place a single order at a higher price break with different color setups instead of placing separate orders with different color setups.
colorVIBE - Digital hybrid transfer consisting of a digitally printed full-color graphic with a white water based backing to provide opacity for application on all colored garments. Learn more here.
Contact Paper - Can be used as a cover sheet to protect the garment during application.
Cover Sheet - Typically a Teflon or silicone sheet can be used to protect the garment during application. Teflon is not recommended when applying screen printed heat transfers as it can reduce the application temperature as much as 10-20 degrees.
D
Dashboard - Online ordering system that allows HCT customers to place orders, review order history, and manage invoices. Access Dashboard here.
Dimensions - The height and width of your design.
Distressed - A pattern which can be added to a design that offers a vintage touch. Learn more here.
Dwell - The suggested amount of time a heat transfer should be applied using a heat press.
Dye-Migration - When the dye from the garment you're printing on bleeds through the applied heat transfer. Commonly occurs when printing on sublimated polyester garments. To avoid dye-migration, use a transfer that offers dye-block technology like colorVIBE or Evergreen.
Adding textile foil to Howard Multi-Purpose offers a unique option.
E
Endure - Solvent based screen printed heat transfer with superior durability ideal for tagless labeling. Learn more here.
Evergreen - Water based screen printed heat transfer with eco-friendly versatility. Learn more here.
F
Foil - Textile foil can be applied over Howard Multi-Purpose. Learn more here.
Font - A particular size, weight, and style of typeface.
G
Gang Sheet - Place multiple images (same or different) onto a carrier sheet to save on costs. Simply cut them apart before application.
Gapping - The space between ink colors where garment shows through in the design.
Glitter - Plastisol screen printed heat transfer made using real flecks of glitter. Learn more here.
Glow in the Dark - Plastisol screen printed heat transfer that glows in the dark. Learn more here.
Gradient - A fountain fill that gradually changes from one color or shade to another.
Green Sheet - A large green paper used for proofing purposes during production with representation of the order’s pattern number.
H
Use halftones to create photo realistic imagery with a single ink color.
Halftones - A technique that simulates imagery through the use of dots varying in size, shape, and spacing.
Heat Press - Industrial grade machine used in the application of heat transfer products.
Heat Transfer - Graphic image which can be applied to a substrate through the use of a heat press.
Hot Split - When a transfer leaves ink on the carrier after application. Typically, this is from over-application due to too much temperature, pressure, or dwell time.
Howard Hot Peel - Plastisol screen printed heat transfer produced without a powder adhesive for a super soft hand. Only recommended for use with commercial grade heat presses. Learn more here.
Howard Multi-Purpose - Plastisol screen printed heat transfer that offers fine line detail, opacity, and versatility while remaining cost-effective. Learn more here.
K
Kraft Paper - Can be used as a cover sheet to protect the garment during application.
O
Opacity - The measure of how opaque or transparent something is. In the case of transfers, opacity measures the amount of shirt color that shows through the ink once applied to the garment.
P
Pantone® color matching available for most screen printed transfer products.
Pantone® - A standardized set of colors that can be used across multiple platforms for a consistent and reliable end result. Learn more here.
Parchment Paper - Can be used as a cover sheet to protect the garment during application.
Pattern Number - Each order is assigned a unique pattern number that can be used to either refer to or reorder. The number will look something like 09232101-JM.
Peel - The manner in which you will remove the transfer after application, either while the transfer is still hot, warm, or has become cold to the touch.
Plastisol - Ink made using PVC particles and plasticizers. Most traditional screen printing is done using plastisol inks because of their versatility, durability, and cost-efficiency.
Platen - Heat presses have a top and bottom platen that close shut during application.
Pressure - The amount of force required to apply a heat transfer, measured in PSI or pounds per square inch.
Print & Cut - Digitally printed vinyl that is cut, weeded, masked, and arrives ready to apply. Learn more here.
Printing Pillow - Used to avoid obstructions on the garment like seams and zippers that can negatively affect adhesion.
Proof - A digital representation or mockup provided before production begins.
R
A vector file can be scaled larger without becoming pixelated, while a raster image cannot.
Raster - A bitmap image that represents a rectangular grid of pixels.
Referral Order - When you would like to use an art element from a previous order, or the same art with changes to colors and/or quantity, we call this a referral order.
Reflective - Vinyl material made using 3M Scotchlite Reflective properties for pre-spaced names and numbers. Learn more here.
Release - The special coating the carrier is treated with so that the ink adheres to the garment during application.
Repeat Order - When you would like to place an exact reorder – same product, art, size, quantity, and colors, we call this a repeat order.
Resolution - The number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed.
Revolution - Vinyl material with a screen print like feel used for pre-spaced names and numbers. Learn more here.
S
Request a free sample pack to test our custom heat transfer products before you place your first order.
Sample Pack - Offered in a free or paid version, these packs include full size sample transfers from a range of product lines as well as a current Product Guide. Available here.
Screen Printed Heat Transfer - An alternative to direct screen printing, screen printed heat transfers are manufactured by screen printing onto a carrier paper or film treated with a special release coating. The transfer is then applied to the final substrate using a commercial grade heat press.
Silicone Paper - Can be used as a cover sheet to protect the garment during application.
Split Front - A full front design applied to a button-down uniform that usually overlaps. Our production artists will setup a split front design for you.
Stock Number Sheets - Program offering 4”, 6”, and 8” numbers in four font choices and over 100 stock ink choices.
T
Teflon Sheet - A cover sheet made with a heat resistant Teflon coating. Teflon is not recommended when applying screen printed heat transfers as it can reduce the application temperature as much as 10-20 degrees.
U
Ultra Stretch - Plastisol screen printed heat transfer with superior stretch and rebound recommended for use on swimsuits, wrestling singlets, and other stretchy fabrics. Learn more here.
Underbase - A bottom layer of ink, typically white or dye-block in our case, that provides added opacity.
V
Vector - An art file comprised of points, lines, and curves to create a series of shapes and designs which can be scaled without becoming pixelated.
Vintage Wash - Plastisol screen printed heat transfer made to replicate an old, worn-in vintage t-shirt with purposefully transparent ink that lets the shirt show through. Learn more here.
Vinyl Names & Numbers - Pre-spaced names and numbers for use on sports uniforms.
W
Weeding - The process of removing excess vinyl.