Commercially available as of last month, the T.Foil Dark process involves printing the required design with a 'composite' black toner onto the firm’s T.Foil Dark transfer paper, using either an enhanced CMYK or CMY plus white toner-based printer powered by the installed SpaceControl software.
The printed transfer paper is then applied to the garment using a traditional heat press. From a choice of 23 foil colour options, the design is covered and pressed again, resulting in foil only attaching to the toner area. The finished transfer is then given a final press “to ensure outstanding feel, look and durability”, according to TheMagicTouch.
This method involves no cutting or weeding and enables the user to produce results quickly and cost-effectively onto almost any garment, regardless of colour or textile composition.
T.Foil Dark is compatible with the latest C612 and C332 CMYK OKI printers, both of which have their own version of SpaceControlBasic software available to manage the transfer process. Nine other compatible transfer papers are also available for these devices, to assist with colour management.
The printers including the installed software are available for “less than £300”, according to TheMagicTouch, with a heat press typically costing around £600. The SpaceControlBasic software is also available to purchase separately for existing users of the CMYK printer models.
TheMagicTouch managing director Jim Nicol said: “For under £1,000 you’ve got a little business where you can print all of these foils on any colour shirt. Making a simple t-shirt can cost less than a cappuccino in Starbucks and you can use these as calling cards to get tighter to your customers.”
T.Foil Dark is available in either A4 or A3 sheets, while the foils are available in 300mmx25m rolls with colours including metallic silver, gold, red, purple, blue, green, pink, rainbow, navy blue, baby blue, olive, rose gold, charcoal, orange and bronze. Sparkle effects are also available in gold, silver and bronze.
TheMagicTouch said users would be able to produce transfers for less than £1 up to A4 and £2 for A3.
“We’re also now going to repackage all of our transfer papers so that instead of only coming in packs of 100, some of them will now come in packs of 10,” said Nicol.
“This means that if printing onto wood, metal, leather or PVC, people can have a play with it without committing to a whole pack of paper.”
