Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
I'm going to be purchasing my first heat press today (finally!) and have heard people talk about the benefits of the teflon pad protectors.
Would you recommend getting both the upper AND lower pads?
How the bottom pad works is pretty obvious to me but I'm trying to picture in my head how the upper pad works.
Obviously it's platen --> pad ---> transfer, right? So the heat goes through the pad and hits the transfer. When you lift the platen off of the transfer the pad keeps the transfer from sticking to the platen and from ink getting on the upper platen? Sound right?
That sounds right. A lot of folks just opt for the lower platen cover and use a teflon sheet over top of their images. Also some heat press' top platens come teflon coated so they can be wiped off easily.
That sounds right. A lot of folks just opt for the lower platen cover and use a teflon sheet over top of their images. Also some heat press' top platens come teflon coated so they can be wiped off easily.
Thanks for the answer Josh -- just what I was looking for.
When I ordered my press, I mentioned the teflon Pad to the sales guy. He said it sounded like a sales gimic. he said most peole just buy the teflon sheets, cover the bottom platten, and use the second sheet to lay over the transfer.
I've been into Bang-On t's, and this is what they do as well.
When I ordered my press, I mentioned the teflon Pad to the sales guy. He said it sounded like a sales gimic. he said most peole just buy the teflon sheets, cover the bottom platten, and use the second sheet to lay over the transfer.
I've been into Bang-On t's, and this is what they do as well.
Either way you go the product will eventually wear out and need replaced. Also over time adhesive and inks from your design transfer over to the teflon, especially when using it on top platen. A teflon sheet is just a more cost effective solution than a slip on teflon protector. You're looking at about $11 for a teflon sheet whereas a protector costs about $35 depending on the size of the press. Teflon can usually be purchased by the sheet or the yard or in the above case per linear foot.
However, when referring to the bottom protector it is definitely a good investment, not a sales gimmick at all. One of those cost $35 and makes life a lot easier. You can better slide garment on and off the press without having them stick to the gray or in some cases orange rubber pad. Also it will help prevent wear and tear on the rubber pad which costs about $100-150 to replace. You will not have to replace the bottom pad for a long while. The shirt tends to protect it from acquiring adhesives & ink.
Any type of industrial hand cleaner would work, for instance gojo or googon. Every 100 presses or so should be sufficient. You'll be able to tell just by looking at the sheet
Any type of industrial hand cleaner would work, for instance gojo or googon. Every 100 presses or so should be sufficient. You'll be able to tell just by looking at the sheet
Sorry, but I'm not up for scraping anything off of my upper or lower platens...even if teflon coated. So I have a bottom teflon pad. I just purchased a teflon sheet because I need to press extra large image.
Someone on another board said they accidently put the pad on the upper and has not had any problems with temperature or pressing. Someone else made their own upper teflon pad (I sew and if I find inexpensive teflon fabric that's what I'll do).
Some use parchment paper for upper. Not reusable. This is for baking in case there are folks who don't cook out there. Comes in rolls or sheets. If you have cooking supply place then probably in expensive.
Some use silicone pads....baking sheets/mats. Brand name that comes to mind is Silpat. Inexpensive especially if you have a coupon from one Bed Bath Beyond etc.
I read case where someone pressed colored shirt and color of shirt transferred to top platen. The white shirt that came after got color on it.
Cleaning, I personally would start with non-toxic. Simple green/orange, soap and water and graduate to windex, amnonia or alcohol. I read elsewhere a screenprinter had good success with Simple Green on his screens.
Teflon pad platen protectors. 
