Just about given up with this T-Shirt Press Business!
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Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Just about given up with this T-Shirt Press Business!
Just about given up with this T-Shirt Press Business!
Well I am new to this heatpress transfer idea, I bought the Heat Press, bought the Transfer paper, bought all the blank t-shirts , the printer and continuous ink system and though I would be rich within a few weeks. Man was I dreaming! I have used and failed probably20 t-shirts prob more, I just cannot get this right! I can do the transfer perfect and then go to do the next one and it will stuff up when I did same time/heat and exact same t-shirt brand! Its to the point where I feel ill when I go to do it. I have asked for help from seller I bought the press from and as I bought the paper from some other seller, she says its crap paper and I should have used hers, I have asked for advice from seller of paper and they are too busy to reply.
With lite colour t-shirts, the following is happening - it sort of is ripped look on edges when should be straight and flush and sometimes edges start peeling a little bit (only very slight). or the other prob is I go to take the back paper off and it just doesn't adhere in last corner - is all blotchy. This happens when i have exact same temp/tshirt brand/time - everytime is different!
Now on black / dark trasnfers it either doesn't stick well on edges/seems tiny bit of eges loose or other prob i have is it sticks to top of the press when I open it! these things can happen when exact same time/heat/tshirt brand.
Really is testing me.
The paper i bought is dark - goldseal for the dark, the light didnt have brand, just said this - IRON ON HEAT TRANSFER PAPER / LIGHT COLORS 100 SHEETS
The press brand is ? it says the following -
SPECIFICATIONS:
Mat size: 38cm X 38cm
Timer: choose from second and minute, 1-99 seconds or 1-99 minutes
Timer auto start feature
Temperature: 0°C - 399°C
Platinum thermo-sensor Instructions
Printer is epson c87 and i set up the CISS continuous ink.
This is what I thought you did for light colour paper.. you do the press - then you peel off after it is cool??? is this right?The temp I have been using is 190? but i am confused if this is american temp or australian as i think it differs? as on some of the info on this site says 375?
Maybe what i am doing wrong is so simple but I am totalling open for any suggestions.
I am so green with this and was stupid believing it would be simple hey.
ANY help would be appreciated.
Re: Just about given up with this T-Shirt Press Business!
it is hard to say...evidently you are not in US since the temp is celsius and the printer is c87...when it is c88 in US I think...but...
I have never heard of the press...but if the temp and pressure works..it is the paper or method. You can PM me as to the source of the paper. It is not one that I have heard of...is it for dark..or for light/white garments. there is a huge difference. I think we need some more info as to the kind of paper...
Re: Just about given up with this T-Shirt Press Business!
I looked at their website and I am surely not impressed...for the inkjet dark, it says can be pressed with an home iron as well as heat press. Any paper that says it can be used with a home iron..is probably...in my opinion...barely acceptable for commercial use. I think if I were you I would get a sample or two of inkjet paper..for white...or for dark..your choice and try out first. A word on warning on dark...so far there is not...I dont think..a good paper for dark. All I have tried have that slick heavy hand..like raincoat...there is a new one coming out...check out badalou's video..go to youtube and search badalou...and then see what you want to do
and welcome to reality...this business is very competitive and you are not going to strike it rich overnight...you will have to market, market to all you meet...and by the way did I mention market?
Re: Just about given up with this T-Shirt Press Business!
Yes am thinking I might just print up transfer designs with this paper and flog off on ebay for hand ironing transfers and buy professional press transfer paper. I was ignorant - i will admit and thought all transfer paper was same when bought it and bought 100 sheets light and 50 sheets dark so will try and recoup some money selling transfer pics online. Thanks for taking time to look and answer me. appreciated.
Re: Just about given up with this T-Shirt Press Business!
when you say that when you do darks they stick to the top of the press, are you covering your transfer with teflon sheet or parchment paper when you press the dark? just thought I would ask, I hope you dont think it is a dumb question but there have been a few that have done this. Also you say the light is cold peel? hmm I think I would try a different paper, you are smart to use something that is more proven for commercial use. I sure hope things get better for you
Re: Just about given up with this T-Shirt Press Business!
Hi, no am not using anything on top as the top arm of the press has teflon sheet on it? is this wrong? I thought that was what it was on there for. What is parchment paper is that like baking paper (we call it that in oz) for biscuits to not stick to them? thanks
Re: Just about given up with this T-Shirt Press Business!
Quote:
Originally Posted by moffitt
Hi, no am not using anything on top as the top arm of the press has teflon sheet on it? is this wrong? I thought that was what it was on there for. What is parchment paper is that like baking paper (we call it that in oz) for biscuits to not stick to them? thanks
Yes that is exactly what it is and you should always cover the top of your tranfer so it does not stick to your top platen. also when you have edges that do not seem to stick tells me you may need either a little more heat or a little more pressure. hope this helps you.
Re: Just about given up with this T-Shirt Press Business!
You're just winding your way through the learning curve, and that usually costs a few shirts and same transfer paper. I burned through a half a ream of ImageClip learning how to use it. I probably have a dozen or so shirts that I messed up. I just keep them and either use them as work shirts or give them away if they are not my size. As for getting rich...I think you picked the wrong business. It takes hard work to make money doing this. Putting up a web site and waiting to orders to come in won't do it.
Re: Just about given up with this T-Shirt Press Business!
Hi thanks so much for your reply. One quick question then to your reply. This may sound really stupid - yes i am very new to this... so if you think i need more pressure and heat with the baking paper on top.. can the ones i did 24hours ago can i go back and put the paper on top and heat for bit longer to make the wee bit of edges stay down or is that too late? thanks again.
Re: Just about given up with this T-Shirt Press Business!
Not having seen the paper/results...this answer is maybe not accurate but I would say you cannot go back and correct...once done...it is done..or so it has been with my 'mistakes' and yep....I have made a bunch. I just use my mistake shirts and testing ground for test prints
This is a discussion about Just about given up with this T-Shirt Press Business! that was posted in the Heat Press and Heat Transfers section of the forums.
Just about given up with this T-Shirt Press Business! 
Well I am new to this heatpress transfer idea, I bought the Heat Press, bought the Transfer paper, bought all the blank t-shirts , the printer and continuous ink system and though I would be rich within a few weeks. Man was I dreaming! I have used and failed probably20 t-shirts prob more, I just cannot get this right! I can do the transfer perfect and then go to do the next one and it will stuff up when I did same time/heat and exact same t-shirt brand! Its to the point where I feel ill when I go to do it. I have asked for help from seller I bought the press from and as I bought the paper from some other seller, she says its crap paper and I should have used hers, I have asked for advice from seller of paper and they are too busy to reply.
Re: Just about given up with this T-Shirt Press Business! 
