Tips and tricks

This article provides all the information you need to get started with transfer paper. We’ll explain everything step by step and offer helpful tips.
Do you already have experience with transfer paper but want to take your results to the next level? Or are you just getting started and want to learn all the tricks of the trade? This article provides the specific tips you need for each type of transfer paper to make your projects a success. Speed ​​up your workflow, optimize your results, and unleash your creativity.

Before you start

Transfer paper has a special coating and behaves differently in a printer than regular paper. For example, transfer paper tends to curl when exposed to heat. In this knowledge base article, we’ll delve deeper into what to look for when printing on transfer paper.

Feeding

Generally, single-sheet feeding from the manual feed works best. The manual feed is often called the “Multi-purpose tray” or “Universal Tray.”
Be aware that feeding a stack of transfer paper from the manual feed often causes the printer to pull multiple sheets at once. Therefore, single-sheet feeding is recommended.

In some cases, feeding from the paper tray works better. Because this can be confusing, TheMagicTouch Software Basic and TheMagicTouch Software Pro are highly recommended, as these software always indicate the optimal feed for each transfer type.
Ensure the smoothest possible feed. For example, with an OKI printer, you can create a straight paper feed by opening the rear output. Does your printer also have this option? Then it’s always better for transfer paper feed.

Feed direction

With three types of transfer paper, it’s important to pay close attention to the feed direction when printing on A4 paper. These are:

• TheMagicTouch TTC 3.1
• TheMagicTouch CPM 6.2
• TheMagicTouch ORD 8.1

Arrows are printed on the back of these transfer paper types. Always feed these transfers through the printer in the direction of the arrows. Feeding them perpendicular to the arrows increases the risk of the transfer getting stuck in the printer. For this reason, we offer two A4-sized versions for the three transfer paper types mentioned.

Fun fact!
In an A3 printer, A4 paper is usually fed widthwise; this is also called Long Edge Feeding or LEF. In an A4 printer, you can only feed A4 paper lengthwise; this is also called Short Edge Feeding or SEF.

Conclusion

If you need A4 paper:
If you have an A3 printer, order A4 size.
If you have an A4 printer, order A4-R size.

Tips & Tricks

We test our printers with toner from the original manufacturer. We often see print quality issues when using non-original toners. Third-party toner can damage the printer and affect print quality. Using non-original toner voids the warranty, and the printer manufacturer will no longer provide support.
This also applies to problems with transfer (printing) and wash results; we cannot provide support for these issues when using non-original toners.
Due to its special composition, transfer paper is more affected by ambient temperature, humidity, and static charge.
Therefore, always store the transfer paper in its box and only remove the shrink wrap from a box of transfer paper when you’re ready to use it.
Furthermore, it’s important to ensure the temperature of the room where you store the transfer paper doesn’t cool down or heat up too much. Keep the humidity in the workspace between 30 and 50% relative humidity and the temperature between 18 and 25°C.

TheMagicTouch TTC 3.1

Make sure the bottom plate of the heat press is nice and warm before you start. This makes hot removal easier.
Wait 5 to 10 seconds after pressing TheMagicTouch TTC 3.1 before removing the paper, but leave the garment on the press for easier removal.
Pull the fabric slightly apart at the bottom of the transfer to get a starting point for removal.
If the transfer has cooled too much, you won’t be able to remove it from the fabric. No problem; cover it with TheMagicTouch release paper and press for another 10 seconds to reheat the transfer layer, and you’ll be able to remove it more easily.
With applications involving smooth fabrics, such as flip-flops and linen puzzles, you may feel the transfer layer sticking slightly after printing. Pressing for another 5 seconds with regular paper will eliminate this feeling. You can have TheMagicTouch TTC 3.1 cut out using a Print & Cut compatible cutting plotter by feeding the transfer paper on a cutting mat through the plotter.

TheMagicTouch OBM 5.4

Use TheMagicTouch T.Seal for post-pressing instead of TheMagicTouch Release Paper. This will enhance the print’s integrity and improve washability.
After printing, peel back a corner of the backing sheet before trimming the white edges. This will allow you to remove the backing sheet much faster and more easily after trimming the white edges.
Use a Print & Cut compatible cutting plotter to cut the TheMagicTouch OBM 5.4 freestanding design.
You can transfer a freestanding cut design to the fabric with Eco-Solvent application tape. Medium Tack is best for this.

TheMagicTouch CPM 6.2

To improve scratch resistance of a print made with TheMagicTouch CPM 6.2, you can reheat the product and the print by placing it in an oven for 15 minutes at 150°C or using a heat gun (as used for paint stripping).
You can make the toner of a print extra glossy with GlossFinish. Increase the scratch resistance and scratch resistance of, for example, a print on magnetic film with Coverseal. Cool a printed product faster before removing the transfer paper by pressing it against a cold surface, such as a stone slab.

TheMagicTouch DCT 4.5

Use warm water to make the film more flexible, making it easier to apply to the shape of the printable surface.
Use the Squeegee to easily remove moisture from behind the transfer without damaging it.
Use a cloth soaked in hot water to press the transfer layer into irregular shapes on a product.
If the product to be printed can withstand temperatures of 160°C (320°F), you can dry it sufficiently (at least 9 hours) in an oven or use a heat gun to harden the applied print on the final product. Note: This is only possible with TheMagicTouch DCT 4.5c and 4.5W, not with TheMagicTouch DCT 4.5 Light C.

TheMagicTouch RST 9.1

Don’t over-wet TheMagicTouch Application Sponge. Use a spray bottle to apply just a small amount of moisture (3 to 5 sprays from a distance of about 30 cm) to the mat.
When printing on wood that doesn’t tolerate moisture well, it’s better to moisten the transfer after pressing by dabbing it with a damp cloth, rather than using a spray bottle, to remove the transfer paper.
Do you have a white toner printer? Use the added white value setting in TheMagicTouch Software Pro to print just a small amount of white behind the image. This gives you the advantage of white toner while preserving the charm of the wood underneath. (No “sticker effect”)

TheMagicTouch ORD 8.1

Enhance the appearance of your printed product by applying TheMagicTouch ORD 8.1 Flock. The self-adhesive layer makes this quick and easy, instantly creating a more luxurious look.
If you accidentally remove a print on glass with TheMagicTouch ORD 8.1, soak the printed glass in water overnight. You can easily remove the print the next day.

TheMagicTouch WOW – Dark

Make sure the bottom plate of the heat press and TheMagicTouch T-Pad are hot when you begin pressing. This will give you more time to peel off the first step.
Before pressing the first step, fold down a corner of the MSheet so you can easily begin the first step of the removal process.
For delicate fabrics, you can lower the temperature to 110°C (230°F) when performing the second step and the final pressing. It’s wise to press for an additional 5 seconds to ensure the adhesive sets.
Use heat-resistant gloves if the temperature is bothersome when removing the first step.

TheMagicTouch WTT

Make sure the bottom plate of the heat press and TheMagicTouch T-Pad are hot when you begin pressing. This will give you more time when peeling off the first step.
Before pressing the first step, fold down a corner of the white base paper so you can easily begin the first step of peeling off.
Use heat-resistant gloves if the temperature is bothering you when peeling off the first step.

TheMagicTouch T.ONE

Make sure the bottom plate of the heat press is nice and warm before you start. This makes hot removal easier.
Wait 5 seconds after pressing TheMagicTouch T.ONE before removing the paper, but leave the garment on the press for easier removal.
Pull the fabric slightly apart at the bottom of the transfer to create a starting point for removal.
You can use TheMagicTouch T.One with dark colors on a CMYK LED/Laser printer without white toner, as long as you have more than 60% toner coverage. This means for designs without light colors, such as black text.
Use T.ONE with Hot Stamp Foil for beautiful metallic prints on fabric that don’t require peeling. Place your design in black on the fabric and press the Hot Stamp Foil onto it. Press it again, and you’re done!

TheMagicTouch TATTOO 2.1

After applying the tattoo to your skin, you can camouflage any visible transfer layer between the image, making the tattoo even more realistic.
You can also use TheMagicTouch Tattoo 2.1 to print on nails under nail polish.
You can also apply a print to fruit you’re about to peel with TheMagicTouch Tattoo 2.1. Make sure the peel with the print is removed before consumption.
TheMagicTouch Tattoo 2.1 is also frequently used in triathlon competitions to place race numbers on participants’ shoulders, for example, so they are more visible during the swim.

TheMagicTouch Stickers

Use a cutting plotter with Print & Cut to cut the printed stickers freely on TheMagicTouch SPF sticker media.
Enhance the UV and scratch resistance of a sticker with TheMagicTouch Coverseal.
TheMagicTouch SPF 26HT, thanks to its high adhesive strength, is ideal for creating domed stickers. Doming is a dome-shaped synthetic resin layer on the sticker. This gives a very luxurious appearance and excellent UV protection to a sticker with a logo, for example.

Accessories explained

Thanks to the many accessories in our range, transfer paper and Oki printers offer a wide variety of applications. But sometimes it’s a bit confusing which mat you need for which application. The manuals on this website clearly state for each product whether you need a mat and, if so, which one. But if you’re just curious about what the various mats and other items in our range are for, you can also read on. Here’s an overview:

TheMagicTouch A.Pad

This is a mat made of solid synthetic rubber. You can recognize it by its milky color and the black TheMagicTouch logo printed on the bottom right of the mat. The A-pad is used with CPM transfer paper in situations where a slow temperature increase is useful. By placing the A-pad on the transfer paper that is on the product, the A-pad is positioned between the transfer and the heat plate. The heat then has to pass through the A-pad before reaching the product, causing the temperature to rise slowly. This makes it possible to print on materials such as aluminum and magnetic foil.
Summary:
Used with
Transfer paper: CPM6.2.
Applications: Printing on aluminum, magnetic foil
Intended for:
Gradual temperature buildup with maximum dampening for a slow temperature increase.

TheMagicTouch T.Pad

This mat is slightly thinner and lighter than the A-pad. One side has a light waffle texture, the other is smooth. This mat can be used in the same way as the A-pad, but with slightly less cushioning because it is thinner. For example: Printing on acrylic (Perspex).
This mat is also indispensable with Wow7.8 transfer paper. The T-pad provides a smoother surface and retains heat better than the standard undermat of a heat press, giving you more time to separate the transfers.
Summary:
Used with:
CPM6.2 transfer paper. Applications: Printing on plastics, acrylic, PU leather, etc.
Wow7.8 transfer paper. Applications: Freestanding full-color printing on any textile color.
Intended for:
Gradual build-up with moderate cushioning of the press temperature for CPM applications.
Heat retention for easier removal when using Wow7.8 transfer paper.

TheMagicTouch Application Sponge

A lightweight mat that, due to its spongy nature, is compressed by the press. This creates a very slight dampening of the temperature. Moreover, the open nature of these mats allows a small amount of moisture to be added with a plant sprayer. This moisture creates a small amount of steam during the pressing process, which can help the toner adhere to imperfections in a product.
Summary:
Used with: Transfer paper RST9.1. Application: Printing on wood.
Transfer paper CPM6.2. Application: Printing on artificial leather and various types of plastic, such as the dog leash from our range.
Intended for:
Gradual build-up with minimal dampening of the press temperature when using transfer paper CPM and RST.

TheMagicTouch T.Seal

Release paper with a rubbery coating. Specifically designed for pressing Wow7.8, T.One, and T.Foil transfer paper. The rubber coating melts around the fabric fibers during pressing, effectively folding the transfer further around the fibers. T.Seal leaves no residue or transfer layer, making it reusable. Thanks to its special coating, T.Seal offers better washability than pressing with regular release paper (baking paper).
Summary:
Used with: Wow7.8, T.One, and T.Foil transfer paper. Application: Textile printing.
Intended for:
Optimal bonding with the fabric for maximum washability and stretch.

TheMagicTouch M.Pad

This is essentially a mini version of the A-pad, specifically designed for mug presses. Just like the A-pad, the M-pad ensures a consistent temperature buildup when printing on mugs and cups using CPM transfer paper and a mug press. Furthermore, the M-pad prevents the heat element’s structure from bleed-through into the image.
Summary:
Used with: CPM transfer paper. Application: Printing on mugs and cups with a mug press.
Purpose:
Gradually builds up the press temperature and prevents the heat element’s structure from bleed-through into the image.

Tefon Sheet

Teflon is especially essential for sublimation applications. Because the color pigments transfer as a gas from the transfer paper to the product during sublimation, it’s important to prevent these pigments from adhering to the press plate or the press mat. This can be prevented with two Teflon sheets. By placing a Teflon sheet under the product and on the transfer during pressing, the pigments stay where they belong: in the product. Teflon works considerably better for this purpose than baking paper because baking paper is too porous and allows pigments to pass through.
Summary:
Used for: Sublimation
Uses:
Retaining gaseous color pigments during pressing with all sublimation applications to prevent them from contaminating the transfer press.

TheMagicTouch Release Paper

Release paper is a special type of baking paper. It is used for re-pressing OBM5.4 transfer paper to increase its washability. It is also used to protect an existing print that needs to be re-pressed, for example, for a second print on the same fabric. Tip: Real baking paper from the supermarket shelf works, but can sometimes rub off on lighter-colored fabrics when used for transfer applications. This release paper, of course, does not.
Summary:
Used for: OBM 5.4 transfer paper. Application: Printing on dark and black-colored fabrics.
Purpose:
Protecting the print during re-pressing for increased washability.