Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
I know I probably made a bad choice, since the entire bag is not smooth -- the handles are attached on the outside of the bag. Did I do bad buying these?
Having NO experience at all with tote bags, I did run a T-Shirt Forum search, and have read what's available. However, I have some questions that are unanswered: The imprintable area is 5" x 7" - can I put a mousepad in the bag to raise that area, since the handles are attached to the outside of the bag?
I do have imprintable mousepads 7.5" x 9" x 1/4"-- do you suggest cutting a mousepad to 5" x 7" size or slightly smaller to allow room for the handles to drop off the sides of the press? What's the best way to cut it?
BTW, my press is a Geo Knight JP 12 which is 9" x 12".
How long do I pre-press the tote bag for? Do I still need to pre-heat the lower platen, since the press won't be touching it? (It'll actually be pressing down on the tote, and then the mousepad underneath it...)
Being that this is canvas (and not a t-shirt) should I increase the dwell time?
Should I use Everlast paper, even though it doesn't need to stretch? Do you think people really wash their totes? Or should I use something more "all purpose" such as Alpha Double Green (which I experienced some cracking with on t-shirts)?
Thats a good deal on bags. I wish they were polyester. I would put teflon pillow or some sort of pad, maybe some mouse pads, inside the bag, then press with heavy pressure. Canvas will take considerably more pressure than a T-shirt because you have to drive transfer into the weave of the fabric. If you can't see the weave of the fabric in the transfered image, it needs more pressure.
Ross ~ Thanks for the advice on the pressure -- I'll definitely remember that. I had read previous posts about putting mousepads in the area you're pressing. With the straps being sewn on the outside of the bag, even though I'll be pressing with heavy pressure, do I need the mousepad to be smaller than the impression area of 5 x 7 to raise the area between the straps? Or will pressing with the heavy pressure and the cushion of the mousepads be enough to get even pressing?
Haven't heard from Lou yet, but I'm sure he's had a busy day, like the rest of us!
Thanks again for the laugh, and for the advice! Keep the suggestions coming guys!!
Thats a good deal on bags. I wish they were polyester. I would put teflon pillow or some sort of pad, maybe some mouse pads, inside the bag, then press with heavy pressure. Canvas will take considerably more pressure than a T-shirt because you have to drive transfer into the weave of the fabric. If you can't see the weave of the fabric in the transfered image, it needs more pressure.
Hey Melissa,
Lou has a youtube clip on pressing totes, check that one out.
Thanks - I think I already did that (there was a pictorial on Lou's site), but I'll double-check the YouTube videos. Unfortunately, my situation is a little different, because my tote is not completely flat like Lou's was... on the tote bags I bought, the handles are sewn on the outside of the bag.
Need advice doing tote bags - maybe Lou? 
jk.
