The Ultimate Guide To Screen Printed Heat Transfers

If you’ve ever wondered how to create vibrant, long-lasting designs on apparel with ease and consistency, screen printed heat transfers might just be the perfect solution. This method combines the high-quality finish of traditional screen printing with the convenience and flexibility of heat application, giving you professional results without the need for expensive equipment or a full print shop setup.

Whether you're just starting out in the custom apparel business or you're a seasoned decorator looking to streamline production and expand your capabilities, mastering screen printed heat transfers can be a game-changer. These transfers are ideal for producing sharp, durable designs on a wide range of fabrics, and they're especially valuable when you need to produce high-quality prints on demand.

To help you get started (or to take your skills to the next level), we’ve created the ultimate guide to screen-printed heat transfers. Here, you’ll learn everything from the basics of how they work and what materials you need, to advanced tips for application, design optimization, and choosing the right transfer for every type of garment. Whether you're creating team uniforms, branded merchandise, or custom fashion pieces, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to succeed with this popular and profitable heat printing method.

Let us start by introducing you to Stahls’ UK, the nation's leading manufacturer of custom heat transfers. Trusted by thousands of garment decorators, print shops, and apparel brands across the globe, Stahls’ UK has earned its reputation as the #1 name in the UK heat printing industry.

With decades of experience and a strong commitment to innovation, Stahls’ UK offers a wide range of cutting-edge heat transfer solutions, designed to make custom printing faster, easier, and more professional. Whether you’re producing sportswear, work uniforms, promotional apparel, or high-street fashion, they provide the tools and materials to help you create long-lasting, vibrant prints with confidence.

Now, lets compare the two types of Screen Printed Heat Transfers that Stahls' UK offer..

Minimum Order Quantities

First things first, screen printed heat transfers are a fantastic, cost-effective way to produce high-quality, vibrant t-shirt prints quickly and efficiently. This method allows you to print your design onto a transfer sheet using traditional screen printing techniques, and then apply it to garments using a heat press whenever you're ready. The beauty of this approach is that it gives you the precision and durability of screen printing without needing to print directly onto each shirt one by one.

When it comes to screen printed heat transfers, it's important to note that there is a minimum order quantity (MOQ) of 10 sheets. This threshold exists because of the setup process involved in screen printing, each design requires screens to be burned, inks to be prepared, and equipment to be calibrated. These setup costs are fixed, regardless of whether you're ordering 10 sheets or 100.

That’s why screen printed heat transfers become more cost-effective as your order size increases. The more sheets you order, the more the initial setup cost is spread out across your entire batch, reducing your price per sheet significantly. 

So, while 10 sheets is the minimum, it’s often more economical in the long run to order in higher volumes, especially if you’re producing for a team, brand, or recurring customer. You’ll save money per print, have extra inventory on hand, and be better prepared for reorders or last-minute jobs.

In short, think of 10 sheets as the starting point, not the limit. The more you order, the better the value, and the greater your potential profit.

Now, lets compare the two types of Screen Printed Heat Transfers that Stahls' UK offer

So what's the difference between these two high quality screen printed heat transfer choice?

At the end of the day, it really comes down to the minor technical requirements of you as a heat printer. InkTra is a modern alternative to traditional 1–5 color screen printed transfers. If you're not concerned about having a clear carrier or a hot peel, you might save a small amount per sheet by choosing standard screen printed heat transfers.

However, in our professional opinion, when you're working with 1–2 color designs, that minimal price difference is more than justified by the time saved during heat press application. InkTra’s clear carrier makes alignment faster and easier, streamlining production and reducing the margin for error, especially on larger runs. So while the savings with standard screen prints are real, the efficiency you gain with InkTra can easily outweigh the cost.