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Heat transfer printing

Heat transfer printing presses full-colour logos, names and numbers onto sportswear, polos, hoodies and bags, a flexible choice for personalised and smaller runs.

الطباعة الحرارية logo examples
Turnaround
Usually adds a few working days to production; confirmed in your quote
Suitable materials
Cotton, polyester and blends, nylon, softshell, caps and fabric bags; sublimation on white polyester and coated items

How it works

How heat transfer printing works

Heat transfer printing applies a pre-made design to the product with a heat press. The design is first produced on a carrier sheet, either cut from coloured vinyl film for simple logos or printed in full colour onto transfer film. The transfer is placed on the item and pressed at a set temperature, pressure and time so the adhesive bonds with the fibres, and then the carrier is peeled away. Dye-sublimation is a related heat process in which ink turns to gas and bonds into white or light polyester and specially coated items.

Products that suit heat transfer

It is a versatile choice for sportswear and jerseys, polos, hoodies and jackets, caps, drawstring bags and some backpacks. Because every transfer can be different, it is ideal for player names and numbers or individual staff names. Companies often use it for Saudi National Day team shirts and company sports days in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai and Doha.

Artwork, durability and choosing a method

  • Artwork: vector files (AI, EPS or PDF) for vinyl; for full-colour transfers, vector or 300 dpi images at print size.
  • Colours: vinyl comes in set shades, while printed transfers reproduce gradients and photos.
  • Fabric: heat tolerance matters, as some synthetics and coated fabrics need lower temperatures.
  • Durability: good wash durability when garments are washed inside out in cool water and the print is not ironed.

For a textured, long-lasting logo on uniforms, embroidery is more durable, and for large runs of one design on cotton, screen printing is often more economical. You receive a free digital mock-up before production, and MOQ and lead time are on each product and confirmed in your quote. Request a heat transfer quote with your design and sizes.

Products you can brand this way

Frequently asked questions

Can you print individual names and numbers on team jerseys?

Yes. Heat transfer is one of the most practical ways to personalise each jersey, because every transfer can carry a different name or number. Send a spreadsheet with names, numbers and sizes, including Arabic spellings if needed. The mock-up shows the font and placement, and we check the list against it before production.

Is heat transfer suitable for polyester sports shirts?

Yes, polyester is a common base for heat transfers, but the film and press settings must suit the fabric so it does not scorch or shine. Some dyed polyester can let colour migrate into a white transfer, so blocker films are used where needed. For all-over designs on white polyester, dye-sublimation may be suggested instead.

How long does a heat transfer print last?

A well-applied transfer lasts through many washes when the garment is turned inside out, washed cool and dried without high heat. Ironing directly on the print or using harsh detergents shortens its life. For uniforms washed daily at high temperatures, embroidery is usually the more durable option, and we can recommend the right method for each garment.

Can I mix heat transfer and embroidery in the same order?

Yes. Many companies embroider the logo on the chest of a polo or jacket and add a heat transfer for names, sponsor logos or event details on the back or sleeve. Each branding position is listed in your quote, and the MOQ and lead time depend on the items and methods you combine.

Planning guides

Planning gifts for your team or clients?

Send us the quantity, branding and delivery date, and our team will reply with a quote.

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