Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
I just took my new inkjet transfer tests out of the wash. The IronAll (Everlast) faired MUCH better this time after washing in cold water and drying on low heat than it did washing and drying in and on hot. It would be acceptable on a regular cotton shirt, but not on these super-stretchy District Threads DT204C's. It shows every rib on the shirt itself.
I also washed some other transfers including Coastal's InkJet Lights and Darks and JetDark transfers on a Gildan Ultra Cotton 2000.
Before washing, InkJet Lights seemed to crack quite a bit, but once I washed it, it was fine. I washed this shirt in HOT water and dried on HIGH heat. It's color faded SLIGHTLY, but not bad at all. I'd call it acceptable.
Before washing, Coastal's InkJet Dark seemed to have quite a bit of a plasticky feel to it, moreso than the JetDark. But after washing (all of these were pressed on the same Gildan 2000 to compare fairly) those two were about the same feel. But the InkJet Dark had a MUCH better LOOK than the JetDark. The JetDark was pretty puckered while the InkJet Dark took on the texture of the t-shirt, which I really liked.
Again, this Gildan shirt was washed on HOT water and dried on HIGH heat.
On a seperate District Threads DT204C I washed another JetDark in COLD water and LOW heat. That transfer didn't pucker at all, but took on the texture of the shirt like the InkJet Dark did in hot water. I liked how it turned out.
The only thing with ALL of the opaque transfers that I washed today was anywhere on the transfer that there was very little ink turned slighly yellow. I didn't change the individual color settings on my C88+ for these transfers, but it looks like I will for opaque transfers.
The InkJet Light from Coastal maintained it's colors and looks pretty nice. No individual color adjustments necessary.
Nice work!What ink do you use? i do a lots of experiment using ironall or evarlast paper.I already try to compare ink.first i try to used hp ink,Durabrite ink, Heat transfer ink, they are all fade in a first wash. Heat transfer ink is much better for 3 ink. If you target customer want vibrant image go for transjet II but if you like stretchable and can be ironed used ironall it depend from your customer. Did you try the Duracotton? i try it and its good, its combination of ironall and transjet but it for lazer printer. May be if i have more project this coming december i will buy lazer printer. Try to get sample of duracotton and test the paper.you will love it.thanks
I don't have a laser printer, otherwise I'd try those as well.
Rodney, yes, the IronAll came out MUCH better with washing in cold water, and my target customers are women, so perhaps they'd be more likely to follow instructions.
I only wish I'd have bought a different shirt to test these on. I need a feminine style, but not form-fitting, and not super-stretchy. These District Threads shirts just plain stretch too much for IronAll. These designs look BAD when stretched that much.
Anyone know of a better ladies shirt to use? I was thinking the Classic Fit Rib T from Silver for Her by Hanes (S10C). Anyone have any experience with that shirt?
The cold water ironall test looks so much better than the hot water test.
I have stated many time to use cold water for washing your tees. Rodney you are right though about the customers. You can't dictate to them what to do. Some people feel if they do not use hot water that their clothes will not be clean. However that just not the case. remember also the effects of a transfer depends on the material you use. I don't think you can compare a hot peel transfer for light or white to an opaque transfer for darks. With the darks you are printing on the opaque transfer and attaching that to the shirt. Not so with iron all or light transfers you are attaching directly to the fabric of the shirt. So you are going to have a different look for both. been there.. Done that..
I totally understand that. I was just kinda killing two birds with one stone with this thread.
I was testing InkJet for Lights next to the IronAll, and I was testing InkJet for Darks next to JetDark.
I do like IronAll washed in COLD water, but not on these shirts. They stretch too much, even with my modest boobs. I can't imagine what it would look like on someone with C cups or D cups. Well, actually I don't need to imagine. I'm taking them to have my mom try them tonite.
BTW, MYDAMIT, I forgot to answer one of your questions...I'm using DuraBrite pigment inks in my C88+.
If I choose to go the inkjet transfer way, I'll buy a CIS with Everlast pigment inks.
I would like a picture of your mom.. (said the 63 year old pervert.. LOL..)As for the testing. I just wanted to make sure new people don't get confused with this and understand that there are the two types. Other then that you did a great job.. but have you made your decision as to what process you will be using? Lou..
Sorry, no pics of my mom. She wanted that tight-fitting shirt off of her as soon as she put it on. My dad agreed.
We still have a few things to test, but I'm REALTIVELY certain that I'd like to go with JetDark. The responses I've gotten so far have been that the feel of those transfers isn't offensive, and if they were on a t-shirt that was more their style they'd wear it (I'm not sure about BUY it yet. ).
The big question is if we're going to test Freedom transfers, too. If we test these particular designs that will cost us $180. I kinda want to test with these designs instead of with generic designs. I want to see how much loss of detail there will be.
Has anyone printed transfers for lights on white vinyl or over plastisol inks? Does that work at all? I know it sounds crazy, but we're looking for the softest hand we can find and it never hurts to try different things...
Of course, I'd love to be able to use either IronAll or InkJet Light for my white t-shirts. Grrr...I just wish I could get ALL customers to follow washing instructions!
How do you handle that? Do you provide strict washing instructions with a disclaimer that your product CANNOT be returned if those instructions aren't followed? How would you prove that, anyway?
The two shirts above that I washed in cold water and dried on low heat just came out of a HOT water wash and HIGH heat dry, and both of them look beautiful! The IronAll faded EVER SO SLIGHTLY, but not bad at all. All of the detail in these extremely subtle designs is still visible.
The JetDark looks like the day I pressed it, other than being slightly puckered.
So it looks like the key with IronAll is that the FIRST time it's washed, it needs to be in COLD water with a LOW heat dry. Then you can wash it however you want, so it seems.
I'd say that it's safe to say that JetDark also looks better (less yellowed) when you wash it the first time in COLD water and dry on LOW heat. After that, do what you will.
Which is what I stated many months ago when I did the same test. However just so the reader knows that eventually the heat transfer (Iron All) will wear away with every wash. Unlike a plastisol transfer. So if you using Iron All or any of the name sakes I would give second thought as to it use commercially unless the buyer is fully aware of that fact. the result could be a loss of future customer.
Inkjet Transfers Testing 
She wanted that tight-fitting shirt off of her as soon as she put it on. My dad agreed. 
