Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
1st let me say im so glad to have this forum to reference to.
i got a new press about a month ago, 15X15 no name brand. (this is just a hobby, so i didnt buy super expensive). the temp. guage is in C' and it came with a conversion chart for F' so i have to play with it to find the "perfect" temp.
im using an iron-all type paper, directions say heat 375 for 25 seconds.. so i did this and the tranfer comes out terrible. as though its not sticking properly. part of it does adhere and part of it doesnt. and then it appears to be stale (for lack of better words) or crackie/old. when you stretch it, you get the feeling of super old elastic when it stretches.
my 1st thought, is its not hot enough, but i have a clothes simplicity press (no guage) and the transfers come out fine. i measured the temp the best i can with a thermometer and tried to match the temp on my new press and the tranfer still comes out crappy. i love the bigger plate this press has to offer VS my simplicity awkard shape plate, but i just cant get the stinken thing to produce nice tranfers..
please give me some advice! the seller has good feedback on their products, so im asuming its me (the user) and not the product.
i have it to where i can open it without having to fight with it to hard, there is some resistance.. if i make the pressure to hard, its extremely hard to open.. and the whole unit jumps when i open it with too much pressure.. i have to hold the bottom down and arm wrestle it..im a girl, but not a woosie girl. my arm was killing me after just 5 shirts of trying.. what do you think?
im anxious to get it working..
I think your problem is the press... you do not need that much pressure...just firm pressure and heat to be uniform. I have been told that some of the chinese presses have cool spots...dont know for sure as I have never done used one...I would suggest...if you can...find a mechanic with a laser heat gun and measure the temp...if you dont have a contact. I think Harbor Freight sells one for around $30 or so..
my simplicity press is very easy for me to open and close and the transfers come out nice. i thought buying a "real" press would give me more advantages, plus it opens wider so its easier to get in there and line up the transfers aswell as bigger working space. in order to have sufficient pressure, is it normal to have to wrestle it to get it open, and its super loud to open with the pressure set higher. my simplicity is just meant for ironing clothes, but is much easier to use as far as opening and closing.
oh cool! we have a harbor freight nearby.. i asked the seller if i could return it and they want a $45 restocking fee, plus i have to pay to ship it even though they are located about 40 minutes away. i asked if i could drop it off and they said it would be easier if i shipped it.. easier on them!! so then i asked for an exchange and waiting to hear back.. im so bummed!
I recently went through the same thing. I ordered a press with C. I found a web site for temperature conversion. I thought I had it - but my transfers did not come out either. There was particular spots not sticking. I contacted by seller & they allowed me to return it - I was told probably cold spots.
I now have new one & just learning about it.
tell your supplier that there are cool spots...they should exchange... here are you located...near LV, LA or Portland or Phoenix...those seem to be the sources of a lot of these presses
I recently went through the same thing. I ordered a press with C. I found a web site for temperature conversion. I thought I had it - but my transfers did not come out either. There was particular spots not sticking. I contacted by seller & they allowed me to return it - I was told probably cold spots.
I now have new one & just learning about it.
the seller let me do an exchange, and even with the new on i had the same systems you are speaking of. i am doing chilren tees, so i think the seam wasnt allowing the plate to come down with an even press (since the shirt didnt drape over the press). i used a mouse pad to raise the area that i wanted to apply the graphic and this seems to work.
although i am still learning ( i just got the replacement today). but the mouse pad seem to fix the problem.
i set my C' at 190, and i dont get scorching and the transfer appears to be coming out good, but this is just todays 1st test.. im washing those shirts now to see the outcome.
PLEASE help me w/ my new press 
