Heat Transfer Printing London

Heat transfer applies a design using heat and pressure from a press, bonding it permanently to the fabric. With no setup cost or lead time, it's perfect for small runs, quick turnarounds, and personalising individual pieces — like adding names or numbers within a larger team order.

Heat transfer printing in London

Heat transfer means your design is made on a transfer material first, then bonded to the garment with heat and pressure from a press. It comes in two forms. Vinyl transfers are cut from coloured sheets, which gives solid, crisp shapes. Printed transfers carry a full-colour image. Both go on the same way, which is why heat transfer is so flexible for names, numbers, lettering and short runs.

Vinyl or full-colour transfer?

Vinyl is the better choice for bold, simple artwork: a surname on the back of a shirt, a squad number, a one- or two-colour logo, or the word STAFF across a workwear tee. The edges stay sharp and the colour is flat and strong. A printed transfer suits anything with several colours, shading or a photographic element. On dark garments we use an appropriate underlay so the colours do not sink into the fabric. If you are not sure which suits your artwork, send it over and we will say which we would use.

Where heat transfer works best

• A single personalised shirt, such as a gift or a one-off
• Individual names and numbers on a team order, where every shirt is slightly different
• Short runs with a quick deadline, because there are no screens to prepare
• Workwear lettering, such as a job title or a staff member’s name under a logo
• Mixed jobs, for example a screen-printed or embroidered front with a heat-transferred name on the back

Heat transfer or DTF?

The two overlap, and we use both. Heat transfer is usually the stronger option for lettering, numbers and simple solid-colour designs. DTF printing is usually better for detailed, multi-colour artwork and fine text. If a job needs both, such as a detailed chest logo and a numbered back, we can combine them in one quote. Our comparison of DTF and screen printing shows where each method earns its place.

Fabrics and garments

Heat transfer works well on cotton and poly-cotton t-shirts, polos, hoodies and sweatshirts. Stretchy or technical fabrics need a lower temperature and more care, so if your garments are sportswear or an unusual blend, tell us the fabric and we will test before running the order. Browse the range on our round neck t-shirt, polo shirt and hoodie pages.

Names and numbers: how to send them

For team orders, the cleanest way to send personalisation is a simple spreadsheet with one row per person: the name exactly as it should be printed, the number if there is one, the size and the garment. Check spellings with the wearers before you send it, because a wrong letter after pressing means a reprint. Tell us the font style you prefer and where the name should sit, usually across the upper back or under the number.

Heat transfer pricing

Our pricing page lists heat transfer from £3 per piece for the print itself. The final price depends on the garment, the size and complexity of the design, the number of print positions and the quantity. Each additional position, such as a back print, is quoted as its own line. As a guide, 10 to 25 pieces are estimated at about £8 per piece including the garment, falling to about £6.40 at 51 to 100 pieces and about £4.80 at 500 or more. Your written quote is the figure that counts.

Turnaround

There is no screen setup, so heat transfer is one of the quicker methods we offer. Give us your date when you ask for a quote and we will tell you whether it works. For larger orders we recommend two to three weeks. Rush production carries an extra fee that we confirm before work begins.

Looking after heat-transferred garments

Wash the garment inside out at a moderate temperature, avoid bleach and the hottest tumble-dryer setting, and do not iron directly over the transfer. Applied correctly and cared for this way, a heat transfer holds up well to regular washing.

Common heat transfer mistakes

• Supplying artwork with a white box around it, which prints as a visible rectangle
• Choosing very thin lettering for a stretchy fabric, where fine lines can distort
• Asking for a long name in a small space, when a smaller font or two lines would read better
• Changing the spelling or number after the order has been approved

A quick check of the mock-up before approval catches almost all of these.

Related reading

• When to choose vinyl printing for t-shirts
• Heat transfer for custom workwear
• Heat transfer printing for custom sports clothing

Get a heat transfer quote

Send your design, quantity and deadline through the free quote form, call 020 3355 6191, or message us on WhatsApp. We are open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 8pm.