Slowly immerse the sneaker in the water with "paint", and then move it quickly, the unique pattern will be attached to the surface of the shoe. At this point, you have a pair of DIY original global limited edition sneakers. Car owners also usually use this method to DIY their car, like tires to show their uniqueness.

This DIY method favored by many brands and consumers is a "water transfer printing" process that is widely used in the packaging industry. The processing of the common beautiful and complex cosmetic packaging container is made by water transfer printing.

What is water transfer printing?

Water transfer technology is a printing method that uses water pressure to transfer the color patterns on the transfer paper/plastic film to the printed matter. Water transfer printing technology is divided into two categories: one is water mark transfer technology, and the other is water coating film transfer technology.

Watermark transfer technology is a process to completely transfer the graphics and text on the transfer paper to the surface of the substrate, mainly to complete the transfer of text and photo patterns.

Water coating film transfer technology refers to the decoration of the entire surface of the object, covering the original face of the workpiece, and capable of pattern printing on the entire surface of the object (three-dimensional), which tends to perform a complete transfer on the entire product surface.

What are the processes for water transfer printing?

Coating film. Pre-print the water-soluble film with a pattern.

Activation. Use a special solvent to activate the pattern on the film into an ink state

Drape. Use water pressure to transfer the pattern onto the printed material

Water wash. Rinse the remaining impurities on the printed workpiece with water

Dry. Dry the printed workpiece

Spray paint. Spray PU transparent varnish to protect the surface of the printed workpiece.

Dry. Dry the surface of the object.

What are the characteristics of water transfer printing?

1. Pattern richness.

Using 3D printing + water transfer technology, photos and graphics files of any natural texture can be transferred onto the product, such as wood texture, stone texture, animal skin texture, carbon fiber texture, etc.

2. The materials to be printed are diverse.

All hard materials are suitable for water transfer printing. Metal, plastic, glass, ceramics, wood and other materials are suitable for water transfer printing. Among them, the most common are metal and plastic products.

3. Not limited by the shape of the substrate.

Water transfer printing technology can overcome the problems that traditional printing, thermal transfer, pad printing, silk screen printing, and painting cannot produce complex shapes.