How to Print Clear Stadium Tote Bags

In an effort to enhance public safety for fans coming to NFL games, the league has decided to limit the size and type of bags allowed into its stadiums.  Called “Be Clear on Game Day Safety” , the new bags must be totally clear and made of Plastic, Vinyl or PVC.  The new bags may not exceed the size of 12” x 6” x 12”.  

Until now, most decorators who want to apply a logo to this type of material would screen print using vinyl air dry inks. Screen printing this bag requires a well ventilated area and the inks require solvents to be remove the ink out of the screen.  Printing more than 2 colors is very challenging for even the most skilled screen printers on vinyl.

How to Print Clear Stadium Tote Bags

Now there is a new product from BestHeatTransfers.com which can allow you to print on clear stadium tote bags or clear vinyl bags. The new heat transfers are applied with a standard heat press machine. The transfers are applied at a very low temperature which keeps the bag from melting and sticking to itself.  

Types of vinyl bags which can be printed are:

• Stadium Totes
• Clear Vinyl Backpacks
• Vinyl Umbrellas
• Clear Drawstring Bags
• Clear Cosmetic Bags

How to print Clear Stadium Tote Bags – Advantages of Heat Transfers

One of the main advantages of using the “Clear Choice” heat transfers for clear stadium tote bags is there is no mess. The clean up after the transfer is applied involves nothing more than discarding the transfer film after it’s been applied.  

Another advantage of the “Clear Choice” heat transfers for stadium tote bags is you can now print an unlimited amount of colors in your logo or a photographic image.  The transfer is applied at a low temperature so there is very little to no distortion of the vinyl after it has been applied.

No experience is necessary to print the “Clear Choice” heat transfers for stadium tote bags. All you need is a commercial heat press machine.  We do recommend the use of a swing-away type machine, but a clamshell press may also work.

Low temperature application is a key ingredient for this process. The heat transfer can be applied as low as 225°F and still maintain good adhesion to the clear vinyl bags.  

When applying this type of transfers, it is recommended to use a teflon heat pillow. The teflon pillow should be placed inside of the bag before you apply the transfer. It is not necessary to use teflon over the top of the transfer as this may reduce the amount of heat the transfer requires to bond to the vinyl.

 

How to Print Clear Stadium Tote Bags

Now that you know how to print on clear stadium tote bags,and vinyl clear bags, the question may be where do we go to find a source for both the blank goods as well as the heat press machines and custom heat transfers?  

You can find many of the blank promotional products from your closest wholesale t-shirt distributor such as  Alpha Broder. These distributors often carry a good basic selection of clear vinyl tote bags, duffel bags, towels and more.  

You can also go to the promotional product supplier. Many of these suppliers offer their products blank and a discounted price. The advantage from buying from the Promo supplier is they often have a much deeper selection of unique products which are exclusive.

Now where to find the machine and heat transfer vendor. When searching for the right heat transfer press machine, it is very important to get a machine which is adaptable to print other items than t-shirts. This type of machine should have an interchangeable lower platen. This type of platen can be removed and replaced with a custom size which will allow you to print nearly any promotional product fabric item.

Transfer products such as Clear Choice Heat Transfers from BestHeatTransfers.com are suited for this type of application. Not every heat transfer can print on clear vinyl stadium tote bags, so be sure to let your transfer manufacturer know what fabric type you want to apply your logos to.