Process
Cold Peel
Removing the carrier film from a transfer only after the film has cooled to room temperature.
Definition
Cold peel is a transfer technique where the decorator waits until the carrier film has cooled completely to room temperature before peeling it away from the garment. The cooling step locks the adhesive into the fibers before any mechanical stress is applied to the print. Cold peel is required for performance polyester, dye-sublimated polyester, UV DTF, and any substrate where dye migration or print displacement is a concern. The trade-off is slower workflow throughput. Cold peel typically produces a softer matte finish on the ink surface compared to hot peel.
Related Terms
Hot Peel
Removing the carrier film from a transfer while the film is still hot, immediately after pressing.
Carrier Film
The clear or coated plastic sheet that holds the printed design until it is heat applied to the garment.
UV DTF
A UV-cured direct-to-film transfer designed for rigid substrates and applied with a cold-peel adhesive instead of a heat press.
Dye Migration
Sublimated polyester dye bleeding through a transfer and discoloring the printed design.