Are you constantly dealing with logos peeling off your products after just one wash? Or worse, are your heat transfers ruining expensive fabrics with visible marks?
You’re not alone – and the good news is, each of these problems has a fix.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the 5 most common heat transfer problems and the exact steps to solve them – so you can deliver consistently high-quality results, every time.
Problem #1: Logos that peel off or don’t stick
The problem: If logos don’t adhere well or come off after washing, it affects both the look and durability of your product.
How to solve it: Use the right settings.
Temperature, pressure and time must match the transfer. Many issues are caused by wrong settings – even if the transfer itself is high quality.
Be careful when combining different techniques
3D SILICONE, 3D EMBROIDERY or 3D WOVEN transfers all have different requirements. If you use more than one technique on the same textile, exact application settings are essential.
One-Step Application? We’ll Find Out for You
Some transfers can be applied together in one step – saving time. But this only works with the right combination and enough experience. That’s why we offer practical testing and advice to make it work for you.
Problem #2: Heat marks on the fabric after application
The problem: Heat-sensitive materials such as nylon or certain types of polyester can show heat marks or become discoloured under heat.
How to solve it: Choose low-temperature transfers.
Many standard transfers need 140–175°C. That’s too much for heat-sensitive textiles. Use special transfers that work at lower temperatures.
Other options:
If you can’t achieve the quality you want with low-temp adhesive, there are alternatives:
- Turn the garment inside out to apply from the reverse
- Use transfer presses with underheat or heated lower platens
These methods protect the outer surface and reduce marks.
Watch the heat – especially during production
Presses can overheat with intensive use. The platen (the surface holding the fabric) gets hotter over time, making heat marks more likely. If the temperature is higher than expected, consider lowering the press setting – or let the machine cool down before continuing. Otherwise, results can vary and leave marks on the garment.
From time to time, also use a thermometer to check the real temperature – not just the one on the display. Heat presses are known to fluctuate, and the display doesn't always reflect the actual heat on the platen. Even small fluctuations (±5–10 °C) can affect results.
Problem #3: Why your transfers work on cotton but fail on coated fabrics
The problem: One transfer won’t necessarily work for every textile type. What adheres perfectly to cotton may not work as well on coated or synthetic materials.
Here's an example: You order 1,000 club logos to apply on jerseys, training gear, and rain jackets. But coated jackets often need a different solution to ensure durability.
How to solve it: Match the transfer to the fabric.
Use different transfer types depending on the material. Test before production – especially with functional or coated textiles. We offer free in-house testing for your textiles or can send loose transfers for you to test on-site. That way, you know what works before you commit.
Problem #4: Colours bleed through the design
The problem: On sublimated fabrics, the dye can be reactivated by heat and migrate into the transfer – even days after application. This phenomenon, often referred to as re-sublimation, is more accurately called dye migration.
How to solve it: Use migration blockers.
Choose transfers with an integrated blocker layer. These prevent fabric dyes from bleeding through and protect your design’s colours long-term.
Test your materials for compatibility
Make sure to test beforehand to ensure that the transfer materials and fabrics are compatible. This avoids surprises and ensures long-lasting, colour-true results. Need more info? Read our guide: Migration Blocker – What? Where? Why?
Problem #5: Crooked or misaligned designs
The problem: Incorrect placement or alignment of the transfer can greatly affect the quality of the final product and require reworking.
How to solve it: Use positioning tools or templates.
Especially useful for names and numbers on teamwear. Templates help ensure consistent spacing and alignment.
For even more precision:
Laser systems integrated into modern presses make positioning fast and exact – and improve production speed and accuracy. Check out: Positioning Lasers by Fuchs.
Misaligned Logos Are Difficult to Remove
If applied incorrectly, a transfer might be removable – but often leaves adhesive marks. Better to place it right the first time.
Conclusion: Avoid mistakes – and get it right from the start
At the end of the day, we’ve all dealt with peeling logos, heat marks, or crooked applications – especially when scaling production across different textiles. Now that you’ve seen exactly what causes these problems and how to fix them, it’s time to take control of your results.
One Last Tip: Testing Is Everything
Test before production. On all fabrics. Every time. It’s the easiest way to guarantee quality and peace of mind. If you need expert help, our team’s here to support you with real-world solutions.
At dekoGraphics, we helping brands and teams like yours get perfect results with heat transfers, every time.
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