Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Before I start - I have read just enough to know that heat press is "the best" (significantly) over using a home iron. However, bear with me and just pretend you absolutely can't get a heat press and have to use a home iron.
What's the biggest difference between using a home iron and a heat press? Is the softness of the hand markedly different (assuming the same paper, inks, etc.)? I have been using store bought paper with a home iron and the results are well...erm...they suck, basically! Either the designs crack and peel, or they have a very stiff hand, or both.
I'm trying to work out if using a heat press with the same paper would yield better results or using better paper with the same iron would yield better results or...?
Basically, what I guess I'm asking is - if I get a higher quality paper, will I see a substantial difference still using the home iron method?
Kath, usually people who know nothing about transfers try this approach. Hand iron requires a certain amount of time and pressure to the shirt. What also needs to be done is the shirt needs to be pre warmed up to remove moisture. I would recommend a small press right now if you can not afford a larger one. And although the store bought paper works. They are not really good enough for me. Give New Milford Photo a call and get a sample pack of the Iron All transfer paper. You don’t have to buy a boatload of paper. The price for transfers is considerably cheaper from one of the vendors I am going to assume you are using hot peel on lights. Hope this helps.
__________________ There is a center to everything.. I found mine at.. www.heatpressessentials.com TEE SQUARE IT, LOGO IT! TEE PAD IT!www.tbiz101.com (New)Heat Transfer Education
The paper that is made for commercial use will not work well (or at all probably) with an iron. If you dont have alot of money for a heat press, you could try one those handmade ones that people sell on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/E-Z-PRESS-10x14-...QQcmdZViewItem
Actually the paper I bought fro New Millford worked very well with an iron. For $3.99 for a 5 pack sample I think it is worth a try. Lou
__________________ There is a center to everything.. I found mine at.. www.heatpressessentials.com TEE SQUARE IT, LOGO IT! TEE PAD IT!www.tbiz101.com (New)Heat Transfer Education
I don't think staying up 'till 2am to make an international phone call, or getting a skillet-come-press shipped across the entire world was what funtimesx had in mind somehow...
I don't think staying up 'till 2am to make an international phone call, or getting a skillet-come-press shipped across the entire world was what funtimesx had in mind somehow...
Indeed - thanks for bearing my location in mind
Are there people in Australia (preferrably Melbourne) who offer heat press services (like screenprinters) for small runs? Perhaps I could start that way before buying a press? Where do Australians buy their supplies anyway?
I know very little about heat press stuff in Australia (I'm a screenprinter). I know there's a company in Melbourne that sells presses (if you search eBay you'll find them), but no idea if they're any good and no idea about other supplies. You could try giving them a call and seeing if they can answer your questions.
I noticed on ebay that there were a few people selling heat presses fro Hong Kong. When I did the numbers it was almost worth it to buy from them even after shipping. But do your research first. Make sure that they have a positive number on ebay and that they sold a lot. Get a 15 x 15 for about 250 (US) and another 200 (US) shipping for a press that sells here (US)for 600.
__________________ There is a center to everything.. I found mine at.. www.heatpressessentials.com TEE SQUARE IT, LOGO IT! TEE PAD IT!www.tbiz101.com (New)Heat Transfer Education
I'm wondering why the person selling the item on ebay has a 98% positive response if the machine is junk. Has anyone on here actually bought this model? I really have no clue on all of this but it seems odd so I had to ask. Thanks
Iron vs Heat Press - Hand Difference? 
Re: Iron vs Heat Press - Hand Difference? 
