Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
My ebay heat press is crap so I need to buy a new one today, I'm either going hotronix 16x20 or Knight 16x20.
So question is simple, if I need to press smaller shirts like youth of women shirts, is there a pad or pillow type thing so that the shirt seams and collars don't interfere with the press? Or do I need to buy attachments?
You can use a teflon pillow, or even mouse pads to raise up the image Just raise the area that is being pressed with either the teflon pillow or the mousepad, and that avoids pressing the seams down. I have the hotronix auto open and love it.
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Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee www.brightlittlebeginnings.com
You can use a teflon pillow, or even mouse pads to raise up the image Just raise the area that is being pressed with either the teflon pillow or the mousepad, and that avoids pressing the seams down. I have the hotronix auto open and love it.
Picked it up a couple of hours ago, (hotronix auto clam), thing is sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! The temp is so accurate. I placed it at 350 degrees and used my laser temp gun and it read exactly 350 all over the 16x20 heating element. The auto open is so nice, no more sore arms!
Now I used the temp gun on my ebay press and it reads 110-120 degrees when it's supposed to be 350 lol. And the thing is a monster to close and open. Very excited!
It is so amazing when you get a really nice press going from a not so great one I remember when I got mine, I was like wow this thing is awesome haha. Have fun with it
__________________
Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee www.brightlittlebeginnings.com
So I used the press for an order for the first time today and used a mousepad as suggested. Works well, however the mousepad I had wasn't intended for heat because after pressing about a dozen shirts, it shrinks and becomes useless.
I need to press some more shirts tmmr but the pad actually needs to be about 8.5x11 or larger to cover the design. Is there anything that won't shrink with heat that I can use as a pad from a local craft store? I tried cardboard and it doesn't work well because it's corrugated. I tried thin wood and it didn't do well. Any other ideas?
Henry, best blanks has the line less transfer kit that is an assortment of different sizes of pads for pressing. Here is a link to the page, its about half way down the page Heat Press Stain Protection, Cleaners, Production Tools, Accessories & More!, they are pretty cheap as well and the rubber that is used is made for this. You should also be able to find regular uncorregated card board to use until you can order some of these. I found the cardboard at a paper supply company, maybe you can find it at someplace like office depot or something. I found the cardboard at kelly paper, but am pretty sure that would not be local to you hope this helps. The cardboard I found was letter sized and meant for packaging.
__________________
Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee www.brightlittlebeginnings.com
Henry, best blanks has the line less transfer kit that is an assortment of different sizes of pads for pressing. Here is a link to the page, its about half way down the page Heat Press Stain Protection, Cleaners, Production Tools, Accessories & More!, they are pretty cheap as well and the rubber that is used is made for this. You should also be able to find regular uncorregated card board to use until you can order some of these. I found the cardboard at a paper supply company, maybe you can find it at someplace like office depot or something. I found the cardboard at kelly paper, but am pretty sure that would not be local to you hope this helps. The cardboard I found was letter sized and meant for packaging.
Thanks I will have to buy that! I didn't know they had a kit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ino
Can,t you use a piece of mdf or chipboard? Just a thought.
I tried a 0.25" chipboard with laminate over it and the edges where too hard so it leaves some nasty marks. I do need to press shirts today so I am going to try placing some softer material over the laminate and see if that helps or try finding some uncorrugated cardboard.
Quick simple question, need answer now! 
Just raise the area that is being pressed with either the teflon pillow or the mousepad, and that avoids pressing the seams down. I have the hotronix auto open and love it.
