Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
What is the smallest heat press that you guys have ever seen? Are there presses made that are smaller then a cap press?
The reason I'm asking is.. I was wondering how I could press something onto a smooth leather roller skate boot... basically a shoe.
Is there a way anyone can think of to apply a plastisol or vinyl transfer to a weird-shaped object like that?
But for a shoe, honestly I don't think anything like that is going to work. You need a flat surface to get good even pressure all over. A leather shoe is always going to be round and tough.
What is the smallest heat press that you guys have ever seen? Are there presses made that are smaller then a cap press?
The reason I'm asking is.. I was wondering how I could press something onto a smooth leather roller skate boot... basically a shoe.
Is there a way anyone can think of to apply a plastisol or vinyl transfer to a weird-shaped object like that?
The only way I can think of (never tried myself) is to buy a small press as shown above and modify it. Take off the small platform on bottom and put on a shoe holder or something. Any local metal shop should be able to weld it on fast and for a small fee.
Hmmm.... thanks for the info!
I was wondering about modifying a cap or label press after looking at them more.... the 3x3 is the smallest I have found so far also.
Here are some pics of what I am talking about:
They come with those graphics on them. I'm assuming the manufacturer puts the graphics on the leather before putting the boots together?? I thought they were screen printed on but when I look at them really closely there is a very slight imprint into the leather where the lettering is, as if it was done with some sort of stamp. Anyone have any idea what they might use? Whatever it is, it holds up VERY well!
If you're wondering why I'd try to do this....
The kids like to customize their skates with paint, vinyl stickers, etc. Neither of these holds up all that well. I've done custom graphics on them in the past using the corner of my shirt press and opaque inkjet transfer paper but I could only do it on the flap of leather that covers the laces on some of the boots because it can be flattened out in the press. It worked pretty well but I'd love to be able to figure out how to do stuff on the sides of the boots as well.
I'm almost 100% sure that they are printing the leather before sewing the shoes.
I was thinking that the smallest label press might work if you remove the lower platen (or make it lower) and put some kind of wooden block inside the shoe so that there is even pressure. It's still kind of iffy though.
Thanks jimc, That is the coolest thing I have seen in a long time!!! Do you have one... if so what kinds of things do you print on with it?
Now I've got about 1000 ideas running thru my head about what I could print on with that thing. I'm 99% sure it would be way out of my price range, but I am going to email the US distributor to get more info anyways... amazingly they are right down the road from me! )
Hi Rebecca, I have not got one as yet as they have only recently been developed.
The UK price starts at £3.500.
The image is printed onto a special film using the normal dye-sublimation method, the heat softens the film and a vaccuum pulls it over the object to be printed. Apparently it forms around any irregular shape without folding or creasing.
Jim
I was reading about it on their web site a little more, it really looks cool. Here in the US I found them for a little over $6000. I guess that doesn't see too bad for what it can do. I'm hoping I see one at the ISS show this weekend!
Smallest heat press made? 
Re: Smallest heat press made? 
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