Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
I currently own a sign shop, cut/print vinyl signs, graphics, etc. I purchased a Mighty Press 15"x15" to add a new service to the shop since this winter has been slower than most. I also picked up a refurb. Epson R1800, which uses the pigmented inks. I am completely new to this heat press world and have several questions.
1. What transfers give the best performance (softest/non-cracking/durable/fade-resistant)?
2. What transfers work with different color transfers? (I know some can only work with white or light colored clothing items)
3. Can pigmented ink transfers (non-sublimation) work with 50/50 garments? Or will they fade immediately due to lack of adhesion to the polyester?
I apologize for these seemingly basic questions but I'm still learning my way around this site. The forum format is different that what I'm used to.
can't answer directly as I have not done all the transfers but for inkjet, pigment, Coastal Business has a new paper out for light..seems pretty good. See babalou's video on it...and for dark Ironall for dark..the new release seems to get good marks
I think all will crack..depending on usage. Only ones that won't are the sublimation ones and some of the color laser prints
I believe Lou said that ironall shouldn't crack at all, but it WILL fade, as most any print would in time. I have read some members have experiences with cracking, but it may be just the learning curve, or the application process itself. The new transfer paper that Charles just recommended (Jet-Pro SofStretch) should NOT fade to the best of my knowledge, though it is still in it's infancy. It seems to be getting great results thus far.
I haven't witnessed any cracking on Iron-all myself, but I am only one in a sea of thousands.
Yes to the pigment inks, and yes to the 50/50 shirts, although a fellow forum member just suggested to me a few minutes ago that a good all cotton jersey knit tee might give a longer shelf life to inkjet transfered tees, due to how the fibers react to the press.
Oh, and and good luck!
Last edited by karlking85; November 30th, 2007 at 12:55 PM.
Reason: Added a thought!
thanks for the great replies. As I mentioned, this is a new area for me so I'll have to learn as I go. Reading the posts on this forum will hopefully reduce the learning curve slightly. I can only hope.
thanks for the great replies. As I mentioned, this is a new area for me so I'll have to learn as I go. Reading the posts on this forum will hopefully reduce the learning curve slightly. I can only hope.
Thanks,
Matthew
BlackIceFX
First Charles made a big mistake.. he called me "babalou's" and this from a friend.. It is BADALOU.. I am not related to Desi Arnez..
Ok here is a list
Iron All.. for all light and whitesno cracking, light to no hand,. will fade as washed number of times. Flacks. hard on printer.
Iron All for darks. For darks. No cracking. Will fade over time. My recommended paper for darks (for Now)
Jet-Pro SofStretch for lights and whites. No cracking. Soft hand, it does not flack, holds the color. My recommendation for paper.. BADALOU.. LOL
__________________ There is a center to everything.. I found mine at.. www.heatpressessentials.com Tools to get the job done! www.tbiz101.com (New)Heat Transfer Education
BADAlou...I am sooooo sorry...I get your badalou mixed up with your badhulu
I knew you would chime in.. LOL
__________________ There is a center to everything.. I found mine at.. www.heatpressessentials.com Tools to get the job done! www.tbiz101.com (New)Heat Transfer Education
You are a sign shop that does printing and cutting....
Do you happen to have a solvent based printer and an optic eye cutter?
If so - there is material available by the roll for print then cut that will perform excellent in the wash and stretch and rebound. that would be my recommendation.
I have a question. the ironall you refer to. when you hover over that word it says can buy at coastal and imprintables under diff names. when I went looking for this paper only on the milford site did it say "for darks" on any of the soft paper. Was I overlooking something on the other 2 sites? I ordered some and received it yesterday. I hope to domy own home testing this weekend. Love the way it stretches and feels softer than the old opaques!
Are you talking about ColorPrint II for a large format ecosol printer??
Yeah - Colorprint II or Solutions or something similar. Different materials will yield different results, but if you have a good material the durability will be nearly 100 washings.
Do you know what the name of that printer is? I do have a eco-sol printer with the optic registration sensor.
Thanks,
Matthew
BlackIceFX
An all in one unit would be the Versacamm. Other units that would work when coupled with an optic eye cutter are Mutoh, Mimaki JV3 or JV4, and there are a lot more - as long as the printer uses solvent inks you are good.
It sounds like you have a Roland - either Versacamm or Soljet, both will work.
Heat press questions from a sign guy 
and good luck!
