Heat transfer in thermal physics describes the process of thermal energy passing from a hot body to a colder one. Heat transfers happen when a physical body such as an object or a fluid with a certain temperature, reaches thermal equilibrium with its surroundings or another body with different temperature. Heat transfer always pertains to a transference from a hot body towards a colder one. This is an outcome of thermodynamic’s second law which states that heat transfer among objects with different temperatures can never be stopped when these objects are in close proximity. You can only slow down heat transfer but never stop it.
Heat transfer works hand in hand with temperature. Temperature is basically a measurement of the average, ‘molecular kinetic energy’ within a given matter, and kinetic energy’s normal flow is always from a high temperature to a lower temperature.
Heat transfer is also a term used loosely in the iron-on industry. Heat transfers are basically different designs and logos that you can stick onto different surfaces by using a heat transfer machine. The most common products that use heat transfers are clothing pieces. You choose a design and these designs are ironed-on onto different areas on a shirt, shorts, or whatever article of clothing you choose. Ironing on designs onto t-shirts are also called ‘t-shirt heat transfers’, ‘iron on t-shirt transfer designs’ and ‘iron on transfers for t-shirts’.
Heat transfers in the iron-on industry use special heat transfer machines, as well as special heat transfer paper to print your designs on. You simply cannot use a design on ordinary paper and try ironing it on onto your clothing because it won’t work.
If you do want to try coming up with your own heat transfers, many stores supply the equipment for it aside from the service itself. Many stores have heat transfer paper that you can print on with any inket printer, so you have the option of printing out your own designs and coming up with unique heat transfer clothing.