Dry transfer
Encyclopedia
Dry transfer is a term used to describe decal
s which can be applied without the use of water or other solvent
. Sometimes they are called rub-ons or rubdowns due to the method of application. The decal itself is on a backing material such as paper or plastic sheeting much like a transparency
. The dry transfer is placed in the desired location with the backing side up. The decal is then applied by burnishing the backing with a stylus
or similar object such as a ballpoint pen
. The contact side of the decal includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive; the combination of heat and pressure causes the decal to stick better to the new surface than to the backing; when the backing is removed, the decal remains. This allows for ink only where needed even if the pattern is delicate, because the backing supports the decal until and as it is applied.
Decal
A decal or transfer is a plastic, cloth, paper or ceramic substrate that has printed on it a pattern or image that can be moved to another surface upon contact, usually with the aid of heat or water. The word is short for decalcomania...
s which can be applied without the use of water or other solvent
Solvent
A solvent is a liquid, solid, or gas that dissolves another solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solution that is soluble in a certain volume of solvent at a specified temperature...
. Sometimes they are called rub-ons or rubdowns due to the method of application. The decal itself is on a backing material such as paper or plastic sheeting much like a transparency
Transparency (projection)
A transparency, also known in industrial settings as a "viewfoil" or "foil", is a thin sheet of transparent flexible material, typically cellulose acetate, onto which figures can be drawn. These are then placed on an overhead projector for display to an audience...
. The dry transfer is placed in the desired location with the backing side up. The decal is then applied by burnishing the backing with a stylus
Stylus
A stylus is a writing utensil, or a small tool for some other form of marking or shaping, for example in pottery. The word is also used for a computer accessory . It usually refers to a narrow elongated staff, similar to a modern ballpoint pen. Many styli are heavily curved to be held more easily...
or similar object such as a ballpoint pen
Ballpoint pen
A ballpoint pen is a writing instrument with an internal ink reservoir and a sphere for a point. The internal chamber is filled with a viscous ink that is dispensed at its tip during use by the rolling action of a small sphere...
. The contact side of the decal includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive; the combination of heat and pressure causes the decal to stick better to the new surface than to the backing; when the backing is removed, the decal remains. This allows for ink only where needed even if the pattern is delicate, because the backing supports the decal until and as it is applied.