Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
You can search for Alpha Gold and find some info. Also, www.tshirtsupplies.com carries this same paper (I am told) under the name JetWear Dark for much cheaper.
I only recently picked some up and used it on a tote bag job so don't have much experience on shirts yet. But, from what I've read, it holds up alot better in the wash...colors are more vibrant and has a bit less stretch than the IronAll for dark. It seems to be the preferred dark transfer paper at the moment given the problems with IronAll Dark.
You can search for Alpha Gold and find some info. Also, www.tshirtsupplies.com carries this same paper (I am told) under the name JetWear Dark for much cheaper.
I only recently picked some up and used it on a tote bag job so don't have much experience on shirts yet. But, from what I've read, it holds up alot better in the wash...colors are more vibrant and has a bit less stretch than the IronAll for dark. It seems to be the preferred dark transfer paper at the moment given the problems with IronAll Dark.
I agree with all of that and I have used it for a couple months with no problems....
So Jetwear Dark = Alpha Gold? Does it have a glossy finish?
I have tried a few in the past and I believe I tried the jetwear, but am not 100% sure. If it is the one I am thinking of, it felt like a piece of plastic on the shirt. Does the Alpha Gold have this quality? Is it thin?
I would say that all opaque transfer paper will have a plastic feel. It is a printable plastic compound similar to vinyl .The Alpha Gold is much more durable than the Iron All Dark. ....IMHO .... JB
IMO it does not feel like plastic at all, it feels like vinyl, it's not as soft and stretchy as ironall for darks, but it's no where close to a plastic feel to me or my customers.
You have to keep in mind that if you are applying a opaque layer to anything it will always have a hand.
So Jetwear Dark = Alpha Gold? Does it have a glossy finish?
I have tried a few in the past and I believe I tried the jetwear, but am not 100% sure. If it is the one I am thinking of, it felt like a piece of plastic on the shirt. Does the Alpha Gold have this quality? Is it thin?
Yes and at about 60% of the price too.... this was recently discovered.
Yes and at about 60% of the price too.... this was recently discovered.
Thank you. Looks like I am going to go the Alpha route (well I guess the "Jet Wear Dark" route). I have a customer waiting and was skeptical of using the Iron All but I guess at this point I don't have a choice.
maybe plasticy was a little harsh but it doesn't sound as bad a "feels like a rain coat " someone else posted . My daughter in-law said it feels "normal" for a good percentage of the decorated shirts she sees kids wearing now days. I just hope the heat press vinyl isn't that heavy as that is what I intend to get for doing designs on colors and blacks. I have a backup plan to use the cutter for sign and banner making to so I'll still be getting the plotter either way.
maybe plasticy was a little harsh but it doesn't sound as bad a "feels like a rain coat " someone else posted . My daughter in-law said it feels "normal" for a good percentage of the decorated shirts she sees kids wearing now days. I just hope the heat press vinyl isn't that heavy as that is what I intend to get for doing designs on colors and blacks. I have a backup plan to use the cutter for sign and banner making to so I'll still be getting the plotter either way.
I have been using thermoflex and if you close your eyes you can't tell it's even there with normal lettering. I love it.
although not being able to see the lines after cutting is a pain, so I'm now testing another brand to see how it performs.
As for the kids clothes, there are several shirts my daughter has that are worse feeling them the alpha paper. I have done a few for her and imo they are just as nice or nicer then most.
The only time it would be a bad thing is if you did a very large image over the whole shirt, I normally contour cut my designs and they look good.
Alpha Gold vs Iron All Dark 
