Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
okay so i know what plastisol transfers are but i'm still unsure of it's quality as compared to screen printing. Can someone describe the similarities (or differences) with traditional screen printing on a tee? ie. touch, feel, what happens when stretched, how it looks like, rubbery feel?, smooth feel?. Also if the durability is comparable to screen printing.
Re: still unsure of quality fr. plastisol transfer
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okay so i know what plastisol transfers are but i'm still unsure of it's quality as compared to screen printing. Can someone describe the similarities (or differences) with traditional screen printing on a tee? ie. touch, feel, what happens when stretched, how it looks like, rubbery feel?, smooth feel?. Also if the durability is comparable to screen printing.
Same thing on all accounts Just as there are different types of screen printing feels, there are different types of screen printed transfer feels.
Re: still unsure of quality fr. plastisol transfer
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Originally Posted by jrford
It is the predominant method of heat transfer printing for a reason. It is the closest you will get to screen printing with a heat press.
You should contact a company that specializes in them and request a sample to try.
If the plastisol transfer does not meet your approval then you will need to invest some money in screen print equipment.
Thanks for the info. So I'm reading up on a lot of plastisol posts lately and I guess that for the most part, a lot of people can't really tell the difference if the tee was screen printed or plastisol transfered. Here's another question I'm trying to figure out.
When using the plastisol method, can I screen print using regular inkjet iron-on transfer paper? i have a bunch leftover and thought i could finish them up. If not, where can i get some blank transfer paper and is there a specific name (i google transfer paper and I always get "iron on" in the results) to it?
Unless you have a screen printing setup, you can't make plastisol transfers on your own.
Are there any differences (except from using plastisol ink) in the process of screen printing onto the release paper from printing on the garment? Ie. mesh count, pressure of the squeegee, drying period? I already do screen printing onto garment and wanna know what I should change to accomodate the plastisol method...once again thanks to all tee junkies.
Re: still unsure of quality fr. plastisol transfer
My understanding is that the primary difference would be curing. The transfers are only "flash" cured. Enough that they are no longer liquid but still liquid enough to flow when additional heat and pressure are applied. The final cure is done with the heat press.
Also, I heard that most screen printers who make transfers use a vacuum platen to hold the transfer while printing in lieu of adhesive.
Re: still unsure of quality fr. plastisol transfer
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Originally Posted by ai file
thanks rodney, i kinda get it now.
Are there any differences (except from using plastisol ink) in the process of screen printing onto the release paper from printing on the garment? Ie. mesh count, pressure of the squeegee, drying period? I already do screen printing onto garment and wanna know what I should change to accomodate the plastisol method...once again thanks to all tee junkies.
Here's a thread that explains the process of screen printing onto transfer paper. Maybe you could post a follow up in that thread to ask the original poster about if the mesh count changes: How to Make your own Plastisol Transfers
still unsure of quality fr. plastisol transfer 
Just as there are different types of screen printing feels, there are different types of screen printed transfer feels.
