Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
OK. So: What are the differences in DuraCotton HT and ImageClip? And, are there any other similar products?
We are evaluating the purchase of an oki 8800 and papers.....Wanting to make sure that we don't make a huge mistake since this system is $2600+....Thanks for your help!
Both papers are made of polymer carrier material (different chemistry) that transfers the toner on to the substrate. The difference is Imageclip is a two step process, self weeding transfer paper, that transfers only the toner on the substrate while Duracotton is a one step process but not self weeding although zero hand and zero polymer background is achievable per manufacturer's and end user's statement. Another thing is Imageclip works very well on light color substrate besides white and ash. Hence, there is no polymer box/window.
The disadvantage when using Imageclip is due to it's two step nature it will involve two temp and pressure settings. The first stage requires low pressure and low temp setting to transfer the polymer from the polymer carrier paper on the image paper, this setting is used to weed out unwanted polymer in open space area. The second stage requires high pressure and high temp, this setting is used when the image is transferred on the substrate. The paper does not work with very light color image. However, I have used it for photo and images with varying gradient color with very good result.
The good thing is the two steps for a pair of transfer papers do not have to be done in succession. In the first step the batch is done in low temp and low pressure to transfer the polymer and weed out the unwanted polymer in each of the image paper then raise the temp and pressure in the second step to press the batch on the substrates.
The first step is critical. If it is done right Imageclip will yield a truly no polymer box/window transferred image. Screen printed look and feel.
Sublimation like image is achievable with Duracotton and it does not have the limitation that Imageclip has when it comes to very light color image. I suggest that you try both papers especially on light color and different brands substrate. Wash them and make a side by comparison. I have red that Duracotton may exhibit white polymer box/window on some brand of light color garment after the first wash. Make your decision first hand then go from there. Some members use both paper and take advantage of each paper's property. Depending on the substrate color. More selection of light color substrate versus white and ash only.
Both Duracotton and Imageclip are very good products. So, it really is up to the user's choice, after making a side by side comparison, as to what will best fit the requirement.
Sorry, I tend to get carried away. I've been called Mr. TMI .
Hope this helps.
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Luis CorelDRAW macro author Macro Website
not having used imageclip i wouldn't say if its best or not however i do use Duracotton I get no poly box after 1st wash and very little before i do not weed i just cut it roughly,i use 100%cotton white and ash grey with very good results i have tried other t/p and still find this the best 1 So i would recomend it with the heat press i use,even with the rubbish 1 i used before it was tuurning out a good picture
Has anyone tried using the DuraCotton on other light colors - such as light pink, pale yellows, light blues, etc???
I've used Duracotton HT on light yellow shirts with very good results. Light Pinks work when printing dark colors with simple designs. Light greens and blues still leave an area of a different color around the design. I like Imageclip as well but the two step process is tedious for one of a kinds. With only one press changing the temps and pressure can make getting good results difficult. Duracotton HT requires the press to maintain a high temp as well. Both are picky about temps, if your press drops too much it won't be as good.
Are these two papers only for knit materials? Will they work on 100% cotton broadcloth?
I am debating buying a laser printer and DuraCotton or Imageclip.
Thanks, Denise
not sure about broadcloth i am sure someone else will be able to tell u however what ever u use it needs to be preshrunk or u will be in trouble u acn print on diff materials though with Duracotton it doesn't have to be 100% cotton (just preshrunk if cotton) hope this helps if u go to AutoArt it will tell u what u can print on i think
Are these two papers only for knit materials? Will they work on 100% cotton broadcloth?
I am debating buying a laser printer and DuraCotton or Imageclip.
Thanks, Denise
I take it that the broadcloth you are referring to is weave material. If it is the answer is yes unless the weave is really coarse fabric. The trick with weave fabric is to press with very heavy pressure so that the toner/polymer will penetrate in the low lying area of the fabric. Otherwise you will have poor transfer and the print will look faded.
Sometimes you have to let the transfer paper cool down so that the polymer will set in and press it again for 5 seconds then peel hot immediately. That is where the two papers will differ. Imageclip will not leave polymer window.
Again I would like to point out that Imageclip does not work well with very light color image. The issue would be more so on weave or coarse material.
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Luis CorelDRAW macro author Macro Website
I've used both. I was never able to get consistent results with DuraCotton. I I was having to press at a slightly hotter temp than recommended and was always scorching shirts (didn't use a teflon sheet). I was also never able to get rid of the border. It was faint, but it was always there. The colors however were outstanding (when I could get a good transfer).
Imageclip was no walk in the park either, but once I figured out how to get it to look good, I could reproduce it reliably every time. I was very skeptical at first but I've come around. The two step process is annoying but you can do a batch as you bring your press to temp. I would not recommend it for a large number of transfers as all the steps involved will slow you down.
I have not gone back to Duracotton with my new printer (Oki 5500). In all likelyhood I should get better results. I think that the fuser on my old Samsung was just too hot.
I use both on light colors and pastels. The polymer box is noticeable on anything but white with Duracotton, but Duracotton is much less time consuming. ImageClip is better suited for light pastels because there is no polymer box. IMO the extra effort is worth it. Both offer excellent washability and both are very consistent in the outcome.
Each has it's pros and cons. I use ImageClip almost exclusively at the shop. If the design has a lot of very light colors or it has a definitive border to trim to, I use Duracotton. When I'm on the road doing a show, I only use Duracotton.
The broadcloth is not extremely coarse but not smooth either. Thanks for the tips. I am still leary of the expense of a printer and paper for one job. This logo has a blue circle that fades to white in the center. I read a thread that mentions matching the background color to the material color. I can use my Epson C88+ for that. Will the investment into a laser printer pay for itself. By the way, Staples has a $250 rebate on the Oki 5500, good through tomorrow, Feb 9. Oh! What to do?
I love my OKI 5600 laser printer and its saved me a ton on ink costs but in the end its what u r happy with we all have a different attitude with laser verses injet so gl
DuraCotton HT vs. ImageClip vs. ??? 
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So i would recomend it with the heat press i use,even with the rubbish 1 i used before it was tuurning out a good picture 
