Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Hi Everyone,
I'm still very new to t-shirt printing. However, I've been experimenting like a mad scientist, and I wanted to share my results in the event that someone can learn from my mistakes. I also had a few questions that I was hoping the forum could help with.
First the equipt list: Mighty Heat Press, 16 X 20, no digital thermometer. InkJet printer: Canon PIXMA i9900 and for Laser printing: Xerox Phaser 7750XP.
InkJet paper tested so far: Coastal Generic/Private-Label and Everlast. Laser Paper tested so far: ImageClip from Neenah. T-shirts printed on: Hanes and Gildan.
Overall results:
Blue ribbon: Laser printed ImageClip onto the Hanes.
Red ribbon: Everlast print onto Gildan.
Yellow ribbon: Coastal print onto Gildan.
My main goal is a soft hand. I am willing to sacrifice color quality for a very soft feel. Does anyone have any suggestions on which paper produces the absolute SOFTEST hand possible? Coastal recommends Everlast. But it still provides a VERY prominent box effect. Is Everlast the same thing as IronALL? It stretches well, but off the heat press, that box looks pretty lame-o.
That said, the ImageClip provides a fairly soft hand, and there's ZERO trimming to do. However, the colors look VERY faded. If anyone is using the ImageClip, can you provide any tips? Trade secrets for getting richer colors? I'm quite sure it's not the printer (though it could be how i've got the printer set-up), since the printer is photo-quality (it even does PMS color matching onto standard media). Does pressure matter when trying to produce a soft hand feel?
Any advice on how to solve my softness problem would be very much appreciated, as are any questions you might have on how i got things set-up.
Cool...thanks badalou. I tried it like that, and it's much nicer. you're right about that.
btw...thanks for all those great videos. Keep them coming, because they're SOOO educational for people like me who are just starting out. i suspect they're also good for veterans as well. hopefully, that will be me one day!
That said, the ImageClip provides a fairly soft hand, and there's ZERO trimming to do. However, the colors look VERY faded. If anyone is using the ImageClip, can you provide any tips? Trade secrets for getting richer colors? I'm quite sure it's not the printer (though it could be how i've got the printer set-up), since the printer is photo-quality (it even does PMS color matching onto standard media). Does pressure matter when trying to produce a soft hand feel?
Any advice on how to solve my softness problem would be very much appreciated, as are any questions you might have on how i got things set-up.
I think what caused the faded color is the polymer is over cooked when the two papers were pressed. Some distributor suggest 225F for 20 seconds. I found at that setting the polymer tends to harden which causes poor transfer to the shirt. I use 210F for 10 seconds. A lot of toner left on the transfer paper after pressing on the garment is a good indicator that the polymer is over cooked during the first pressing. Too long dwell time on the second pressing will have the same result also. I use 400F for 10 seconds. I also found that too hot fuser temp can over cook the glossy coating of the red paper which causes a lot of polymer sticking in the unprinted area in the red paper after the two papers are pressed and peeled.
The polymer on Imageclip is unique that it does not melt and stick on the upper platten when it is accidentally pressed upside down (Polymer side on top). I have done it at least three times with no messy cleaning to worry about. Just peel the paper off the upper platten and it is business as usual.
I press really hard on the garment. It helps improve wash fastness.
Here is a couple of photos that I pressed with Imageclip.
That's the kind of vibrancy Imageclip produces when done right. Don't misunderstand me I don't claim to be an expert with Imageclip. I am still learning about using it as I continue to use it. The shirt in the second photo in the first link has been worn and washed 13 times to date and it still looks as it was the day it was pressed. Very little fading and color is still vibrant.
Luis...This info is VERY helpful. Thank you so much for posting it. I'm going to try your settings to see if I can match your awesome results.
Question...What kind of printer did you use? And have you tried DuraCotton? It's a one-step process which i'm hoping will make things even better. But i'm not sure on quality.
I have a color laserjet HP 3500 and a Xerox Phaser 7750. The xerox jams with the ImageClip paper. And the laserjet wont work at all!! I'm perplexed.
Luis...This info is VERY helpful. Thank you so much for posting it. I'm going to try your settings to see if I can match your awesome results.
Question...What kind of printer did you use? And have you tried DuraCotton? It's a one-step process which i'm hoping will make things even better. But i'm not sure on quality.
I have a color laserjet HP 3500 and a Xerox Phaser 7750. The xerox jams with the ImageClip paper. And the laserjet wont work at all!! I'm perplexed.
I use Okidata C5200Ne. It is discontinued . Yes I have used Duracotton. As a matter of fact one of the photos that has Nukecon design was pressed with Duracotton. It faded after the first wash and there is still a slight hint of polymer patch in unprinted areas. I bought a sample pack before I washed the shirt and needles to say the package is still sealed in the bag after the disappointing wash result. Not sure if I will ever open the package(lol). Also other users have major issue when it is used in light color garment. Here's the reason why http://www.t-shirtforums.com/p100639-post454.html.
Imageclip imaging paper (red) should not jam. I printed with media settings ranging from medium to Cardstock. Cardstock is the highest fuser temp setting. I settled with transparency and heavy. I did have fusing problem because I picked the light media setting. You have to single feed in a multipurpose loader and not in the standard paper cartridge. Try transparency or if your have Glossy setting try that also. Maybe the glossy surface of the imaging paper causes your printer take up rollers to slip. You might want to clean it up with laser printer cleaning paper. Available at office depot. You can also call Coastal Business Supplies and ask for Tracy Hudson. She may be able to help you for best setting for your printers.
In my opinion Imageclip is a Triple Blue Ribbon. Works on a range of light color fabrics if the color of the fabric is accpetable as a substiute for white color in the image being printed.
Sorry about the long post. I tend to get carried away.
Extra extra read all about it!!! Self weeding is coming self weeding is coming.
I sound like a town crier. There is a new self weeding transfer for inkjet printers being sold in UK. It is called kisscut. I got this link from a fellow member Ron (cprvh). Just like to pass on very good info.
thanks Luis for your helpful info. i'll try to adjust my xerox to the settings you've suggested. i was actually pretty pleased with my first result with the imageclip. it's not perfect, but it's the best i've gotten so far. i've got some duracotton on the way too. we'll see...i'm willing to try anything a few times! i'll let you know if i have a different result.
i've heard about KissCut...but when the F&*^ is it coming to the US?? this could be the answer we've all been waiting for, but no one has a clue on when it'll be sold here. time is money! LOL!!
thanks again luis...if i get any kisscut updates (i have an email into them), i'll be sure to post...
hey luis...just so you know, kisscut responded back and said they should have US distribution in a couple of weeks.
Also, as an update, i tried the DuraCotton. You're right. It's not as good as ImageClip. i still get a very noticeable box effect, and the hand is definitely present. i'm going to test it again with a teflon sheet, but i doubt it'll make a huge diff.
As far as i can tell, ImageClip is the best for removing that "box" look. My only problem is it keeps jamming in my printer. i've tried a number of different settings, but it keeps jamming. I called coastal. they're sending more test sheets, and they said OKI is their preferred machine for ImageClip. I'm taking a sheet down to OfficeMax to run a test print. if it works, i'll invest in the OKI.
i'll keep you posted on KissCut. Hopefully, that will be the answer.
thanks for all your thoughtful suggestions. most helpful for a newbie.
Extra extra read all about it!!! Self weeding is coming self weeding is coming.
I sound like a town crier. There is a new self weeding transfer for inkjet printers being sold in UK. It is called kisscut. I got this link from a fellow member Ron (cprvh). Just like to pass on very good info.
Wow, that kisscut paper looks like it could be promising. They did a nice job on the photos on the homepage of showing the difference between other paper and what they claim to do.
It's interesting that their FAQ says that KissCut doesn't work well with photographic images:
Quote:
Can I print full-colour photographs with KissCut?
No - the KissCut process is designed with commercial garment decoration in mind and is not currently suitable for printing photographic images. Vibrant and very detailed graphics can easily be achieved however.
i agree rodney. if the real result looks like the examples on their website. AND it works on inkjet printers, i think this company has found the brass ring. i'm sure we'll see posts as soon as someone has tried it out.
has any other product gotten this kind of buzz, prior to release? i'm fairly new, so i have no history to measure hype vs. reality
hey luis...just so you know, kisscut responded back and said they should have US distribution in a couple of weeks.
Also, as an update, i tried the DuraCotton. You're right. It's not as good as ImageClip. i still get a very noticeable box effect, and the hand is definitely present. i'm going to test it again with a teflon sheet, but i doubt it'll make a huge diff.
As far as i can tell, ImageClip is the best for removing that "box" look. My only problem is it keeps jamming in my printer. i've tried a number of different settings, but it keeps jamming. I called coastal. they're sending more test sheets, and they said OKI is their preferred machine for ImageClip. I'm taking a sheet down to OfficeMax to run a test print. if it works, i'll invest in the OKI.
i'll keep you posted on KissCut. Hopefully, that will be the answer.
thanks for all your thoughtful suggestions. most helpful for a newbie.
You are very welcome. Just returning the favor. When I needed questions answered I found them in these forums. I feel I should pitch in too.
About kisscut somebody from a different forum pointed out to me, which I missed when I was browsing the kisscut website, that the printed transfer life is only good for 30 minutes. I don't think that is a disadvantage when you print and press on the fly. It only takes a few seconds to press even if you repress with teflon sheet. 30 minutes expiration is a long time in between presses.
I am surprised you got email reply from kisscut. I asked the same question I even suggested a few distributor names that can be potentially good outsource for them in the US. I did not hear a peep.
I heard back from them yesterday. I asked specifically about the inks and whether you had to use theirs. They said that they started as an ink manufacturer and that if you use theirs inks, you will have better steadfastness, but it is not a requirment for the "weedless" aspect.
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After experimenting....results & questions 
. Yes I have used Duracotton. As a matter of fact one of the photos that has Nukecon design was pressed with Duracotton. It faded after the first wash and there is still a slight hint of polymer patch in unprinted areas. I bought a sample pack before I washed the shirt and needles to say the package is still sealed in the bag after the disappointing wash result. Not sure if I will ever open the package(lol). Also other users have major issue when it is used in light color garment. Here's the reason why 
