STAHLS' CAD-CUT® UV Shift – Colour-changing heat transfer vinyl with a UV-reactive effect
STAHLS' CAD-CUT® UV Shift is an innovative and decorative colour-changing heat transfer vinyl that reacts to the sun’s UV rays. Indoors, the material appears white, but when the design is exposed to sunlight, it changes to an intense colour. When the garment is taken back indoors, the film gradually changes back to white within a few minutes.
The special UV-reactive effect makes every textile print more vibrant and interactive. A design can have a discreet white appearance indoors and then gain a striking colour as soon as the wearer moves into the sun. This creates exciting opportunities for textile designs that need to surprise, attract attention and stand out from traditional single-colour flex films.
At Signproduction.co.uk, STAHLS' CAD-CUT® UV Shift is an ideal choice for textile printers, sign makers, clothing brands, sports clubs and creative businesses looking for a different effect film for textile printing. The film can be used for fashion, merchandise, event clothing, promotional products and personalised textile designs.
What is STAHLS' CAD-CUT® UV Shift?
CAD-CUT® UV Shift is a cuttable heat transfer vinyl for textiles, which is processed with a cutting plotter and applied using a heat press. The film’s special pigments react to UV light and create the characteristic colour change between indoor and outdoor use.
Without direct sunlight, the design has a simple white appearance. When the sun’s UV rays hit the surface, the colour effect is activated, and the design changes to a stronger shade. The intensity of the colour change may vary depending on the strength of the sunlight, the season, the weather and how directly the UV light hits the textile.
When the UV exposure stops, the film automatically returns to its original white appearance. The process can be repeated every time the textile is moved between indoor surroundings and sunlight.
Create textile prints that change appearance in sunlight
The colour-changing function makes CAD-CUT® UV Shift suitable for designs where the experience is just as important as the motif itself. Text or graphics can appear discreet indoors and then become clear and colourful outdoors.
The film can, for example, be used for:
- Logos that change colour in sunlight
- Hidden messages and text
- Creative T-shirts and sweatshirts
- Festival, holiday and summer clothing
- Merchandise and fan products
- Event and campaign clothing
- Personalised gifts and custom designs
- Fashion and lifestyle products
The UV effect works particularly well in designs where the white film naturally forms part of the indoor design, while the colour change adds an extra dimension outdoors.
Suitable for fine and detailed designs
STAHLS' CAD-CUT® UV Shift is only 105 microns thick and can therefore be used for both larger designs and fine details. The film is easy to cut and weed, making it suitable for text, smaller letters, graphic lines and detailed logos.
The self-adhesive carrier keeps the individual elements of the design securely in place during weeding and positioning. If a small detail lifts during weeding, it can usually be placed back onto the adhesive carrier before heat pressing.
Always carry out a test cut before starting final production. The correct blade depth, cutting force and speed depend on the cutting plotter, the condition of the blade and the level of detail in the design.
Application at 150 °C for 10 seconds
STAHLS' CAD-CUT® UV Shift is applied using the following settings:
- Temperature: 150 °C
- Pressing time: 10 seconds
- Pressure: Medium
- Hotronix® level: Approx. 3–4
- Carrier removal: Hot Peel
After heat pressing, the carrier film is removed while hot using Hot Peel. The carrier can therefore be peeled away immediately after pressing, while the design is still warm.
Use a heat press with stable temperature and even pressure across the entire design. Uneven pressure or insufficient heat may cause parts of the film not to bond correctly. Always carry out a test on the chosen textile before larger production runs.
Suitable for cotton and polyester
CAD-CUT® UV Shift can be used on several common textile types:
- 100% cotton
- 100% polyester
- Polyester and cotton blends
For polyester and polyester blends, it is always recommended to test the film before final production. Polyester dyes, surface treatments and heat resistance can vary and may affect both adhesion and the final appearance.
The film can be used on T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, sportswear, club clothing, workwear, promotional clothing and merchandise, provided that the textile can withstand the recommended application temperature.
Benefits of STAHLS' CAD-CUT® UV Shift
- Colour change in sunlight: The film changes from white to an intense colour when exposed to UV light.
- Reversible effect: The design returns to white after a few minutes indoors.
- Interactive textile design: The garment changes appearance between indoor and outdoor use.
- Suitable for fine details: The thin film can be used for both text and detailed motifs.
- Easy weeding: The material is developed for an efficient and straightforward workflow.
- Self-adhesive carrier: Keeps small letters and separate elements securely in place.
- Hot Peel: The carrier film is removed while hot immediately after pressing.
- Fast application: Pressed at 150 °C for just 10 seconds.
- Thin construction: The material thickness is only 105 microns.
- Creative eye-catcher: Suitable for fashion, merchandise, events and custom designs.
Applications and target groups
STAHLS' CAD-CUT® UV Shift is relevant for both professional textile printers and creative producers who want to offer something beyond standard single-colour textile prints.
- Fashion and lifestyle clothing
- Summer and holiday products
- Festival and event clothing
- Merchandise and fan products
- Promotional clothing and advertising wear
- Sportswear and club clothing
- Children’s and youth clothing
- Personalised gifts and custom production
- Creative logos, text and illustrations
The surprising colour effect can be used throughout the entire design or as a smaller detail that only becomes visible in sunlight. CAD-CUT® UV Shift can therefore be used to create hidden elements, contrasts and design experiences that ordinary flex film cannot deliver.
Efficient and user-friendly workflow
Working with STAHLS' CAD-CUT® UV Shift follows the usual process for cuttable heat transfer vinyl:
- Create the design in your design software.
- Mirror the design before cutting.
- Carry out a test cut and adjust the cutting settings.
- Cut the design using a suitable cutting plotter.
- Remove the excess film around the design.
- Position the design on the textile with the carrier side facing upwards.
- Press the design at 150 °C for 10 seconds.
- Use medium pressure, corresponding to level 3–4 on Hotronix®.
- Remove the carrier film while hot using Hot Peel.
For weeding, you can use EZ Weeder®, LED Weeder, LED Pin or suitable tweezers. For heat pressing, a Grip Cover Sheet or a non-stick coated cover sheet is recommended to protect the design, textile and heat press.
Washing and care
Textiles decorated with CAD-CUT® UV Shift can be washed at up to 40 °C, provided that the textile’s own care instructions allow this temperature.
Turn the garment inside out before washing and ironing to protect the surface of the film. Avoid ironing directly on the front of the design. Instead, iron the garment from the reverse side or use a protective cover sheet.
Always follow the textile manufacturer’s care instructions. Also allow the finished textile print to rest after application before washing the garment for the first time.
Available roll sizes
STAHLS' CAD-CUT® UV Shift is available from Signproduction.co.uk in several practical roll sizes:
- 50 cm × 5 m
- 50 cm × 10 m
- 50 cm × 15 m
- 50 cm × 20 m
- 50 cm × 25 m
The fixed width of 50 cm fits professional cutting plotters, while the different lengths make it possible to choose film for both smaller creative tasks and larger production runs.
Film specifications
Property
UV-reactive colour effect
Weeding
Easy – even with fine details
Carrier
Self-adhesive | Hot Peel
Washing temperature
Up to 40 °C
Application
150 °C – 10 sec.
Pressure
Medium, level 3–4 on Hotronix®
Material thickness
105 microns
Colour-changing effect for creative textile prints
STAHLS' CAD-CUT® UV Shift brings textile prints to life by changing appearance when the wearer moves into sunlight. The white indoor surface becomes an intense colour outdoors and automatically returns when the UV exposure stops.
The film is therefore an excellent choice for creative products, campaigns and clothing where surprise, interaction and visibility are part of the design’s value.
Order STAHLS' CAD-CUT® UV Shift from Signproduction.co.uk
At Signproduction.co.uk, you will find STAHLS' CAD-CUT® UV Shift in several roll lengths for professional and creative textile production. The film combines an exciting UV-reactive effect with easy cutting, a self-adhesive carrier and a thin, flexible construction.
If you need advice on choosing colour-changing heat transfer vinyl, a cutting plotter, heat press or accessories, you are welcome to contact us.
Contact us at [email protected] – we are ready to help you find the right solution for your textile production.
