The magical process of instantly changing items

The magical process of instantly changing items into "new outfits" is water transfer printing

　　Water transfer printing is a technique that uses water to transfer flat printed images and text onto surfaces of different materials. During this process, patterns are first printed on a plastic film and then laid flat on the water surface. Activation agents are sprayed to dissolve and damage the film, and the object that needs to be transferred is slowly pressed into the water, so that the pattern will stick to the surface of the object. Similarly, there is a principle similar to printing camouflage helmets

　　What is water transfer printing
　　Water transfer printing technology is a type of printing that uses water pressure to hydrolyze polymer onto transfer paper/plastic film with colored patterns.

　　The process of water transfer printing
　　(1) Activation
　　Cover the transfer film with water and lay it flat on the water surface of the transfer water tank, with the image and text layer facing upwards, keeping the water in the tank clean and basically in a neutral state. Spray an activator evenly on the image and text surface to activate the image and text layer, making it easy to separate from the carrier film.

　　(2) Transfer printing
　　The items that require water transfer printing are gradually attached to the water transfer film along its contour, and the image and text layers will slowly transfer to the product surface under the action of water pressure. Adhesion is generated due to the inherent adhesion between the ink layer and the printing material or special coating. During the transfer printing process, the bonding speed between the substrate and the water covered film should be maintained evenly to avoid wrinkles on the film and making the graphics and text unattractive. In principle, it is necessary to ensure that the graphics and text are appropriately stretched and avoid overlap as much as possible, especially at the joints. Excessive overlap can give people a cluttered feeling. The more complex the product, the higher the requirements for operation.

Application of Water Transfer Printing
　　Although it has been applied to a wide range of products and industries, it is still a relatively new process. Water transfer printing has two main functions: imitation and decoration. The entire surface of the product can be coated with wood grain, marble, snake skin, or carbon fiber texture. Foreign media have commented on the water transfer printing process, stating that it is a surreal surface treatment process that can change the appearance of flat or three-dimensional products.

　　Water transfer printing technology can even be combined with 3D printing technology, which is a common problem for designers to color 3D printing models. However, water transfer printing can solve this problem.

　　Advantages and disadvantages of water transfer printing
　　Advantages: 

1. It is basically free from any product restrictions, especially for particularly complex or large parts that can be subjected to water transfer printing. 2. It is a very environmentally friendly technology, and the residue or wastewater produced will not cause any pollution to the environment.

2. 
   　　Disadvantages: Water transfer printing technology also has limitations, which are that its transfer images and text are easily deformed, which is related to the shape of the product and the properties of the water transfer printing film itself.

3. 
   　　Tips for Designers
   　　Almost any hard material can be subjected to water transfer printing. If it can be sprayed, it can also be processed using water transfer. The most commonly used substrates are injection molded plastic and metal.

4. 
   　　In general, products such as small products are almost manually transferred, such as household appliances; Products such as large components are basically fully automated for transfer printing, such as automotive components. When using fully automated transfer printing for mass production, the production efficiency of the product is relatively stable, and the output will increase significantly.　　Water transfer printing can make the product appear as if it has changed to another material, such as transferring wood grain. Generally, manufacturers have multiple standard printing options to choose from, and of course, they can also print their own design patterns. The printing quality of water transfer printing is equivalent to digital printing, with a wide range of colors. In general, the ink thickness of water transfer printing is less than 1 micrometer, and it has good durability by adhering between the primer and topcoat.

   
   　　Experienced water transfer printing masters can apply water transfer printing to any shape. However, when designing, it is important to consider designing the joint line on the back of the product, especially when using water transfer printing for all-round coating. The deep recesses and corners of the product need to be perforated, otherwise bubbles will form and the ink will not come into contact with the surface. At the same time, immersing the component at an angle (approximately 45 degrees) can usually overcome the problems of concave and shallow depressions.

   
   　　The processing cycle time depends on the size and complexity of the part, but usually does not exceed 10 minutes. The unshaded surface of the product can be coated by masking the surface, which provides more possibilities for water transfer printing, but the time consumption will increase.

   
   　　The substrate of the water transfer film has a very high expansion and contraction rate, and the pattern is easily tightly attached to the surface of the object. During the printing and transfer process, the flexible image and text carrier and the substrate are inevitably stretched and deformed when in contact, making it difficult to achieve a realistic level of image and text actually transferred to the surface of the object. To avoid this disadvantage, it is necessary to design the image and text on the water transfer film to have an irregular shape, When deformed, it does not affect the overall appearance effect.