Sublimation Transfers - how to get rid of the press line
Hello All,
I am trying to find out how to rid my tshirts of the press line around my sublimated transfer.
It looks great however there is a pressed line that takes the shape of the transfer.
I dont want to repress, or is that the way to get it out?
You guys have been such a major help thus far and I want to say thanks for all the help and assistance.
You need to raise the image to where the edges of the paper doesn't do a full force contact,, buy some t pads from lou, his handle is badalou on the forums here, shoot him a pm he will take care of that problem, tell him Roger sent you
From my experience, the tinner your transfer paper is - the less impression you get. After a lot of experimenting I have settled on 70 gm paper and don't have any issues with paper lines any more - not sure though if it comes in sheets.
Rodger is right - raising your print area and letting the paper over-hang your insert/pad is a very good way to go. This method is especially great when you press logos or work with polo shirts - if you have a pad of a size of your logo it saves you from pressing the whole garment.
Make sure you've played around with your set-up enough to find out what is your optimal combination of pressure and dwell time - you may want to press some things a little longer but at a lighter pressure or vice versa.
A lot depends on texture of the fabric you are working with and sometimes re-pressing for a few seconds will help to solve the problem too.
Thanks for the info, but I should have let you know, that I don't do my own sublimation transfers. i contract it out to someone who has more knowledge about t the color and the process. It comes to me ready to print.
But when i cut the image off the sheet, and pressed. They was a line around. So if i am correct, you said to raise the image or place a teflon sheet on the transfer , is that correct?
Quote:
Originally Posted by D.Evo.
From my experience, the tinner your transfer paper is - the less impression you get. After a lot of experimenting I have settled on 70 gm paper and don't have any issues with paper lines any more - not sure though if it comes in sheets.
Rodger is right - raising your print area and letting the paper over-hang your insert/pad is a very good way to go. This method is especially great when you press logos or work with polo shirts - if you have a pad of a size of your logo it saves you from pressing the whole garment.
Make sure you've played around with your set-up enough to find out what is your optimal combination of pressure and dwell time - you may want to press some things a little longer but at a lighter pressure or vice versa.
A lot depends on texture of the fabric you are working with and sometimes re-pressing for a few seconds will help to solve the problem too.
Re: Sublimation Transfers - how to get rid of the press line
I am not sure about the vapor apparel kit...because..there was a thread about a foam kit that you would use a certain number of times...say 8-10 and then you had to replace...is this the same?? it sue sounds like...I am pressed for time now so will try to chase this down later...
i contract it out to someone who has more knowledge about t the color and the process. It comes to me ready to print.
But when i cut the image off the sheet, and pressed. They was a line around. So if i am correct, you said to raise the image or place a teflon sheet on the transfer , is that correct?
Do not cut the image out of the paper. Press the whole piece of paper. You do not have to trim DyeSub transfers like you do inkjet transfers.
Re: Sublimation Transfers - how to get rid of the press line
Quote:
Originally Posted by charles95405
I am not sure about the vapor apparel kit...because..there was a thread about a foam kit that you would use a certain number of times...say 8-10 and then you had to replace...is this the same?? it sue sounds like...I am pressed for time now so will try to chase this down later...
The vapor foam will wear down over time, but you can use it more than 8-10 times.
Thanks for the info, but I should have let you know, that I don't do my own sublimation transfers. i contract it out to someone who has more knowledge about t the color and the process. It comes to me ready to print.
But when i cut the image off the sheet, and pressed. They was a line around. So if i am correct, you said to raise the image or place a teflon sheet on the transfer , is that correct?
Hey There,
I use Vapor Apparel exclusively as they are sweatshop free and what I have found to work perfectly for that stock is:
Light/Medium Pressure on the heat press
60 secs of pressing
teflon sheet over transfer paper
repress for 6secs afterwards
tug the shirt when it comes off the press
I know it may seem like extra work re-pressing but to achieve a result of no paper or press lines I think it's worth it.
I use Vapor Apparel exclusively as they are sweatshop free and what I have found to work perfectly for that stock is:
Light/Medium Pressure on the heat press
60 secs of pressing
teflon sheet over transfer paper
repress for 6secs afterwards
tug the shirt when it comes off the press
I know it may seem like extra work re-pressing but to achieve a result of no paper or press lines I think it's worth it.
Actually, there's a lot easier way to avoid paper lines. Just don't let the edges of the paper be pressed. Re-presssing will just cause image deterioration. There's also no need to tug on the shirt afterwards. The fabric is dyed. There is no material in between the fibers to stretch as there might be with an inkjet transfer.
A slight tug sometimes helps stretch out the fibers while they're soft and does help reduce the lines somewhat.
My experience is that of what's been covered so far. To reduce the lines you should:
1. Use the thinnest paper you can.
2. Set the lowest possible pressure you can get away with.
3. Use pads (I use the vapor foam) and letting the paper overhang so the edges aren't pressed.
4. Do a short second press (without the transfer paper) if you still see lines to try and even things out. You're looking to heat up and re-heat the material, not re-sublimate.
Some fabrics will leave lines no matter what you do. You'll have to experiment to find out for sure.
Sublimation Transfers - how to get rid of the press line 
