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Moo Spot Prints · February 27th, 2007

I recently ordered my first plastisol transfers and had the opportunity to take pictures of my vinyl test shirt against the plastisol. I think some of you might find the visual comparison interesting.

The vinyl is Spectra EZ Weed.
The plastisol is a Flex Cold Peel with Adhesive Crystals from ACE.
The shirts are Black Gildan 2000's.

Small text is Futura Bold Condensed BT/24pt
Large text is Futura XBlk BT/100pt
The word 'club' is just shy of 1/2" wide

Note the difference in edge sharpness between the two. I am not surprised that the cold peel is less defined -- it's not only thicker (opaque ink + adhesive) on the shirt, it was also probably pressed with a wider mesh opening. I can't tell if the bumps are due to the camera's optical zoom, an artifact of the mesh or from the way the adhesive adhered to the fabric.

MotoskinGraphix · February 27th, 2007

Yes..you physically cant get any sharper than vinyl and that cold peel will look and feel heavier on the shirt. For fun try and hot split that cold peel...it wont be as opaque but will lose the gloss and be a bit more flexible.

Moo Spot Prints · February 27th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotoskinGraphix


	For fun try and hot split that cold peel...it wont be as opaque but will lose the gloss and be a bit more flexible.

No can do. The adhesive doesn't set until it cools.

This is the *only* transfer method that I could find that will allow me to press below 325. For my synthetic shirts I press at 290. It doesn't damage the fabric (too much) and because the material is lighter and drier it actually sticks quite well.

I'm using a rubber mat to dull the finish a little bit. You can get one from ACE directly for around $20. Use in lieu of a teflon sheet on the 2nd press.

It looks a lot better than in the picture. You only notice it when it's next to the vinyl.

MotoskinGraphix · February 27th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moo Spot Prints


	No can do. The adhesive doesn't set until it cools. This is the only transfer method that I could find that will allow me to press below 325. For my synthetic shirts I press at 290. It doesn't damage the fabric (too much) and because the material is lighter and drier it actually sticks quite well. I'm using a rubber mat to dull the finish a little bit. You can get one from ACE directly for around $20. Use in lieu of a teflon sheet on the 2nd press. It looks a lot better than in the picture. You only notice it when it's next to the vinyl.

Hummm ...are black Gilden 2000s synthetic? I did not know that. I ordered cold peel transfers from FE with crystals and they actually hot- peel fairly well.

Moo Spot Prints · February 27th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotoskinGraphix


	Hummm ...are black Gilden 2000s synthetic? I did not know that. I ordered cold peel transfers from FE with crystals and they actually hot- peel fairly well.

Gildans are cotton. My primary application will be polyester. I was testing on the cotton as it's a heckuva lot cheaper.

I hot peeled one by accident (paper got pulled up with the press) and it tore itself up. It seemed like the glue wasn't set up enough to hold the transfer down while hot.

Maybe I was pressing at a lower temp than you (I'm pressing at 325 for cotton), lower pressure (I was initially not using enough) or the ink formulation is different and the ACE ink/paper doesn't split.

Moo Spot Prints · February 27th, 2007

Unfortunately I have an example of the tearing. Was pressing some poly's tonight and forgot to use the teflon sheet on top of the transfer. The press lifted and tried to hot peel for me. Whoops.