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Sloth_Machine · July 18th, 2008

First of, i'll tell you I am new at this.

I have a mighty press 20" x 24".

I first just did how the directions stated. 200 degrees for 10-20 seconds at medium pressure. and then peel immediately. The polymer mostly transfered but left a few open speckles.

Next one I tried red side down with the corner folded for at 200 degrees for 10 seconds at medium pressure, then flipping it over with red side on top and pressing again for 5 seconds and quickly peeling them apart. It worked great. Mimimal polymer in the open areas and a nice, even polymer transfer to the image with no open areas.

I tried another one the next day, and now it wont work.

The polymer will not completely stick, mainly in the center of the graphic, almost like there is a cold spot in the middle of the press. I wasted 5 transfers trying to get it right again, all having the same pattern, speckled patchy untransfered polymer toward the center of the image.

I havent tried the cookie sheet tip yet. Do you think it would fix this issue? Or is my heat press already on it way out with a sudden cold spot?

I haven't yet

marcelolopez · July 18th, 2008

If you suspect on your heat press, you should get a non-contact thermometer, and check if the temperature is uniform in your press.
Is it a brand name heat press?
good luck.
Also I would try light pressure, instead of medium.

Lnfortun · July 19th, 2008

I highly recommend the cookie sheet not because I wrote the procedure. It does work. One thing to remember is the papers have to be hot to get a consistent polymer transfer on the red sheet. The cookie sheet will maintain the temp on the papers while peeling. As far as the middle having voids you either have cold spot or concave surface. Check the temp and flatness of the upper platten. To do that take a straight edge or a yard stick. Put the edge against the upper platten then check is there is a gap somewhere in the middle. BTW the cookie sheet will compensate for the uneven surface.

Hope this helps.

Sloth_Machine · July 19th, 2008

Thanks guys!

I used a non contact temp gun (i have it for screen printing) and the temp of the press seems to be consistant throughout.

I tried the cookie sheet, and while it did reduce the polymer speckles, still a sudden dead spot in the center of the press causing no poly transfer in the center of the graphic.

I pressed one with medium, heavy pressure instead of light (without the cookie sheet), and it seemed to work much better (only leaving a few speckles). If I had used the cookie sheet it might have worked, but I didn't have enough time to test another one until tonight.

I haven't checked to see if my press is bowed slightly in the center yet, but it seems the heavy pressure setting is straightening it out a bit. But isn't heavy pressure not good for just a polymer transfer?

And is there a way to straighten out the press if this is the issue?

btw, I believe the brand name is Mighty Press.

Lnfortun · July 19th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sloth_Machine


	Thanks guys! I used a non contact temp gun (i have it for screen printing) and the temp of the press seems to be consistant throughout. I tried the cookie sheet, and while it did reduce the polymer speckles, still a sudden dead spot in the center of the press causing no poly transfer in the center of the graphic. I pressed one with medium, heavy pressure instead of light (without the cookie sheet), and it seemed to work much better (only leaving a few speckles). If I had used the cookie sheet it might have worked, but I didn't have enough time to test another one until tonight. I haven't checked to see if my press is bowed slightly in the center yet, but it seems the heavy pressure setting is straightening it out a bit. But isn't heavy pressure not good for just a polymer transfer? And is there a way to straighten out the press if this is the issue? btw, I believe the brand name is Mighty Press.

Some uses the same pressure for both pressing and claimed to get away with it. The way it was described is: set the pressure with the shirt on the platten, use the same pressure for pressing the two papers. The reasoning behind it is when the press is set with a shirt then the pressure is less when pressing the two papers due to the thickness between the shirt and the papers. Patchmaster is one of the members that uses this method. He claimed that it does not affect the outcome. Try want sending him a PM.

Regarding uneven surface I am not aware of a fix except using a soft pad that will compensate for the defect of the surface. Stahls sells an industrial grade silicon sheet that can withstand high temp or try using stacks of silicon baking cookie sheet. There is also a TeePadIt.

Another thing to look for is uneven surface of the lower platten. This can happen when the press is used for pressing hard goods which can create indentations on the pad.

If you are getting good prints by pressing heavy during the first press by all means use it. The outcome is more important with the process that works. It is assumed that no two sets of equipments are alike.