Heat Transfer Film for Paint Buckets: How PP and PE Pails Get Durable, Vivid Decoration

By QINGDAO ULIKE NEW MATERIAL CO.,LTD. · Published 2026-10-12 · Category: Company News

Short answer: heat transfer film decorates PP and PE paint buckets by moving a pre-printed pattern, text or logo from the film onto the bucket under heat and pressure. ULIKE's Heat Transfer Film For Paint Bucket is made for that job, and a matching bucket heat transfer machine prints up to 26 × 108 cm.

Heat transfer film for paint bucket - ULIKE — Heat Transfer Film For Paint Bucket from ULIKE.

PP / PEBucket materials

4 stepsTransfer process

26×108 cmMax printing size (machine)

0–300 °CMachine temperature range

What Is Heat Transfer Film for Paint Buckets?

Paint pails and chemical drums need labels that survive stacking, solvents, water and sun. Heat transfer film transfers the artwork straight onto the bucket wall, so there is no separate paper label to peel. ULIKE uses it on PP and PE buckets for the chemical, food and daily-use industries. The film belongs to our wider Heat Transfer Film range; for the technology background read The Evolution and Future of PET Heat Transfer Film.

How the Transfer Process Works

1. Design and printing – the artwork is printed on the film.
2. Preheating – the film and bucket surface are brought to working temperature.
3. Transfer – pressure moves the ink from the film onto the bucket surface.
4. Cooling and setting – the pattern cools and fixes on the bucket.

Heat transfer film printed paint buckets

ULIKE heat transfer film for PP PE paint pail

Paint bucket heat transfer printing sample

Performance You Can Expect

High adhesion	Designed for PP and PE bucket surfaces.
Durability	Wear resistant, water resistant and chemical resistant.
Print quality	High resolution with bright, vivid colours.
Materials	Environmentally friendly inks and materials.
Customisation	Patterns can be customised to your brand.

Where Paint-Bucket Heat Transfer Film Is Used

Chemical	Chemical raw materials and liquid chemicals.
Food	Food additives and seasonings.
Daily use	Detergents and cleaners.
Agriculture	Pesticides and fertilisers.

Other bucket types follow the same method: see Heat Transfer Film For Engine Oil Bucket and Heat Transfer Film For Water Bucket.

The Matching Machine: UK-CY26-108Q-A Swivel Heat Transfer Machine for Buckets

Model	UK-CY26-108Q-A swivel heat transfer machine for buckets
Max printing size	26 cm × 108 cm
Printing speed	6 times / minute
Heating power	4 kW
Temperature range	0–300 °C
Air pressure	0.4–0.6 MPa
Machine dimension	100 × 120 × 200 cm
Machine weight	600 kg

The machine handles round and square buckets, with adjustable clamps and heating plate, precise temperature and time control, an LCD touch interface with Chinese/English menus, X/Y adjustable transfer platform and adjustable unwinding tension. Details are on the Heat Transfer Machine For Bucket Series page, and other models are listed under Heat Transfer Machine.

UK-CY26-108Q-A swivel heat transfer machine

Buyer Checklist

Bucket material and shape – confirm PP or PE, round or square, and the bucket volume.
Print area – check your label area against the 26 × 108 cm machine limit.
Artwork and colours – send the design so the film can be customised.
Process control – temperature and time must match both the film and the bucket material.
Operation – keep heating and pressure parts maintained and follow burn-prevention rules.