Heat Transfer Decoration for Automotive Products

What is heat transfer decoration?  How is it different from hot stamp decoration?

The largest visual distinction between hot stamp and heat transfer decoration is in the number of colors used. Hot stamp typically involves using a single color foil whereas heat transfer decoration uses film pre-printed with multi-color images (heat transfer labels).

While hot stamp and heat transfer decoration processes are very similar, a difference can be seen in the dies used. The molds for hot stamp dies carry the image to be used. They are more complex than the molds used for heat transfer decoration where no graphic image is carried on the die. This is because for heat transfer decoration- the decorated image comes from the heat transfer label itself.

How is heat transfer decoration used in the automotive industry?

Heat transfer decoration is found in car interiors as well as under the hood. Automotive components come in a ride range of substrates and shapes and with a variety of performance requirements (like exposure to chemicals or high heat). United Silicone has expertise to identify the right tailored approach for each unique heat transfer application.

What types of information are often applied to automotive parts with heat transfer labels?

Branding, decorative updates, notification, safety instruction and indicator marking on various automotive parts are often applied with heat transfer equipment. Often, decoration will be multi-colored which is a main benefit of heat transfer decoration.

What is special about decorating automotive products?

Automotive brands and their suppliers require repeatable, high quality decoration. Due to the nature of the automotive industry this decoration often requires the use of thicker, more challenging labels and difficult substrates. Automotive brands and their suppliers require a high level of efficiency to enable quick changeovers and reduce scrap. Because cars have a long life expectancy- component decoration needs to be highly durable.

What kind of experience does United Silicone have with heat transfer for automotive products?

United Silicone has been working with leading automotive brands, OEMs and OEM supplier for over 40 years.

We have a deep understanding of industry requirements, common pain points and durability challenges faced by automotive brands and their suppliers.

We know how to design systems for simplified changeover and low scrap that provide consistent decoration even with the challenging labels and substrates often required for automotive applications.

Where is heat transfer decoration often used in car interiors?

Automotive components that frequently use heat transfer decoration include:

• child tether
• air bag logo debossing panels
• carpets or mats
• trunk latches
• dash clusters

What unique challenges apply to dashboard component decoration?

Multi-colors logos are often applied with heat transfer decoration. United Silicone has deep expertise in dashboard decoration- particularly as it relates to:
— custom tooling sets to simplify the decoration of the complex contours often found on dashboards (sets include nesting fixtures and contoured dies)
— expertise working with thick transfer labels to streamline changeovers and reduce scrap

Which under hood components are well-suited to heat transfer decoration?

Multi-colored heat transfer labels can be applied to a range of applications including.

• battery housings
• engine cover and belts
• fill caps.

What specific heat transfer machines and supplies does United Silicone provide for automotive component decoration?

United Silicone is a one-stop-shop for heat transfer decoration on automotive products. We have specialized equipment, supplies and services designed specifically for the automotive industry. We have deep expertise designing customized tooling for automotive applications. This specialized tooling and nesting fixtures allow for easier set up and greatly simplified changeovers.

Would you like to know more?

Please get in touch. We would love to hear from you.