Disclosed herein are methods for transferring a graphene film onto a substrate, the methods comprising applying a polymer layer to a first surface of a graphene film, wherein a second surface of the graphene film is in contact with a growth substrate; applying a thermal release polymer layer to the polymer layer; removing the growth substrate to form a transfer substrate comprising an exposed graphene surface; and contacting the exposed graphene surface with a target substrate. Transfer substrates comprising a graphene film, a thermal release polymer layer, and a polymer layer are also disclosed herein.