Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Well guys I got a nice press, 15x15 mighty press, never used. I just got done trying the f&m transfers. They really went on nice! no errors at all. They all are somewhat glossy. Is it really this easy????? Is there a way to make them less glossy? thx, D
Well guys I got a nice press, 15x15 mighty press, never used. I just got done trying the f&m transfers. They really went on nice! no errors at all. They all are somewhat glossy. Is it really this easy????? Is there a way to make them less glossy? thx, D
I too have had similar results! Very impressed with the ease and consistancy of these transfers. Larger images do have a glossy appearance. I just picked up some parchment paper from Walmart and am going to try this out tomorrow to see if I can reduce the glossy look.
I got their sample package, been selling t-shirts on the web for 9 years. I am very disappointed with F & M it is basically a sticker with a total plastic feel. My customers wouldn't have it and selling these would ruin my companies rep.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OLDFATGUY
Well guys I got a nice press, 15x15 mighty press, never used. I just got done trying the f&m transfers. They really went on nice! no errors at all. They all are somewhat glossy. Is it really this easy????? Is there a way to make them less glossy? thx, D
I got their sample package, been selling t-shirts on the web for 9 years. I am very disappointed with F & M it is basically a sticker with a total plastic feel. My customers wouldn't have it and selling these would ruin my companies rep.
Do you mind sharing a link to your company site with your work? Are you only disappointed with the "feel" of F&M Transfers or are there other valid concerns?
well oz....i've never used their samples, but did just finish delivering my first ever order of plastisol Freedom transfer garments from FM - they were not plastic-y but also not a no-hand of dyesub....they are a bit shiny, but for the design i was using, it worked. the customer loved it, i loved the ease of the whole process (yes dino, it really IS that easy!). diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks i guess
Do you mind sharing a link to your company site with your work? Are you only disappointed with the "feel" of F&M Transfers or are there other valid concerns?
AB
My company website is F6Rider.com... Per your other question, besides feeling like plastic, the transfers are shiny very glossy.
I don't believe F & M is using Plastisol to make these transfers. My guess is that their using some kind of full color printer, then machine cutting them.
Again, my production person pressed the shirts using F & M's samples and the whole team back there said we'd be murdered if we sent product like this to our customers.
ANOTHER HUGE PROBLEM is when actually wearing the t-shirt in sunny SoCal heat you get a perfect "sweat" mark on your back reason, because unlike our plastsol transfers F & M's product doesn't "breath". It like sticking a thick piece of plastic right on your back.
All that said... the look of the transfer is excellent, I have not found another transfer maker that even comes close to the graphic quality of F & M's transfers.
Oh well, it's always a trade-off, great looking transfers that are glossy and don't breath. What you going to do????
I'm new to transfers and working to get up to speed to learn pros & cons of different transfers available. I really like what I've read thus far about heat transfers in general. I'm not sure at this time if I will print my own and so I may be looking to contract them out to a company like Transfer Express, F&M, Dowling, ACE, etc.
Your post drew a bit of concern for me and I'm wondering why the shot against F&M vs. other transfer companies? I would need my own proof to believe they are not screenprinting but because I haven't asked them, nor made a site visit, I can't understand making such claims.
My company website is F6Rider.com... Per your other question, besides feeling like plastic, the transfers are shiny very glossy.
I don't believe F & M is using Plastisol to make these transfers. My guess is that their using some kind of full color printer, then machine cutting them.
Again, my production person pressed the shirts using F & M's samples and the whole team back there said we'd be murdered if we sent product like this to our customers.
ANOTHER HUGE PROBLEM is when actually wearing the t-shirt in sunny SoCal heat you get a perfect "sweat" mark on your back reason, because unlike our plastsol transfers F & M's product doesn't "breath". It like sticking a thick piece of plastic right on your back.
All that said... the look of the transfer is excellent, I have not found another transfer maker that even comes close to the graphic quality of F & M's transfers.
Oh well, it's always a trade-off, great looking transfers that are glossy and don't breath. What you going to do????
When you mention samples are you specifically talking about the cmyk full color sample. The one that is solid from one color down the spectrum to another? I have seen many, many transfers as well simulated process screenprinting with full coverage that feel like that. You can put any of those on your back and get sweaty. Anything that is solid, (plastisol is no exception) and doesnt let the cotton breath is going to have that result. Spot color printing with open areas is always going to be cooler in the sun. My problem with that sample was simply it's glossy. Full glossy images just look cheap and dated in my opinion. There are folks that like that look but it isnt for me.
I'm new to transfers and working to get up to speed to learn pros & cons of different transfers available. I really like what I've read thus far about heat transfers in general. I'm not sure at this time if I will print my own and so I may be looking to contract them out to a company like Transfer Express, F&M, Dowling, ACE, etc.
Your post drew a bit of concern for me and I'm wondering why the shot against F&M vs. other transfer companies? I would need my own proof to believe they are not screenprinting but because I haven't asked them, nor made a site visit, I can't understand making such claims.
Thanks,
AB
Sometimes typing isn't like speaking, I hope it didn't come across as taking a shot at F&M . I did say their transfers are the best looking I've worked with so far. My experience with these companies is somewhat limited.
I got samples from about four earlier this year when I switched from having all my shirts screened professionally and was wanting to learn about transfers. The company we picked is Dowling.
The reason I checked out F & M is two-fold,
1. On reorders Dowling's transfers just didn't work well (the originals, or first run were fantastic just like my t-shirt screener, same quality, same hand)... Again the original order of transfer were great but when we reordered the same transfer design we have had problems and that's on all our reorders and...
2. For dowling I have to do my own separations, just a little time consuming... with F&M they do that for you!
So for our customers, some of which we've had for up to 9 years, my production folks think the glossy look would not be well received, but those are our long term customers other printers if they don't mind the shiny effect may find their customers like the product.
Sorry didn't mean to slam anyone. I am still looking for the right supplier of tranfers. If anyone out there has found someone they're truly happy with and could recommend I'd would be very appreciative.
1. On reorders Dowling's transfers just didn't work well (the originals, or first run were fantastic just like my t-shirt screener, same quality, same hand)... Again the original order of transfer were great but when we reordered the same transfer design we have had problems and that's on all our reorders.
Oz, just like any other industry where innovation and tech are involved, things change quick. So do inks, processes etc. usually for the better but this may involve some more work on your part to make it right according to the manufacturers new product.
My advice is that, when making custom plastisol transfers try to run a larger quantity to last you longer (if in-stock items etc.). I know that this may not be a practical solution for a lot of people but a safe one in terms of having the exact same thing in stock for a while.
F&M Transfers 
I really like what I've read thus far about heat transfers in general. I'm not sure at this time if I will print my own and so I may be looking to contract them out to a company like Transfer Express, F&M, Dowling, ACE, etc.
Re: F&M Transfers 
