Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Is there anything that I can use besides teflon sheets when using my press? I have a blue and gold macaw and burning teflon is extremely hazardous to him. Anything else that i can use?
yep I agree with the silicone parchment paper. I have always used it, as I think it also works better then the teflon. Here is a really good place to get it from for cheap. Its also double sided so you can get twice the use out of it Matfer Bourgeat EXOPAP - Parchment Paper . Hope this helps
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Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee
I use the parchment 2 times on each side with my dtg. I use to use it doing transfers also and was usually able to use it about the same 3 to 4 times total per sheet. I didnt like the teflon as it didnt seem to heat as evenly as the parchment due to it being thicker. Hope this helps.
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Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee
I think everyone has a preferrence of what they like better. I myself have just found the parchment to work better for me with both transfers and dtg. I am sure others might have different opinions. For me curing the ink on dtg, if the heat isnt perfectly even, the cure will not be the best and its really important to me to have that.
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Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee
I like and use the teflon and I have no complaints, but, I just picked up at the dollar store, two silicone sheets (11x15 - just like my press.) I've heard good stuff about the silicone - so I want to try it out. I will be trying the parchment paper as well as I've heard folks say they like the finish on inkjet heat transfers better when they re-press with parchment paper instead of teflon. It is smoother, I hear.
I like teflon because I like the durability of teflon, teflon helps prevent scorching of the cotton fabric, and personally, I had something happen, a weird puff during a pre-press, and when I used the teflon during the pre-press, it went away, so I got the idea the teflon actually helped disburse the heat more evenly during the press. Isn't that odd? Opposite of Sunny's thoughts. I think alot of it is what a person's experience are that shapes their opinion of what to use. There are threads with folks who prefer either the teflon, silicone sheets, or parchment paper.... so I think it just might be one of those things. Personal preference.
But if you can't use teflon because of a bird, those other two options, the silicone and the parchment paper, surely are viable options.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dawnpoetic
even plain old copy paper will work.
Dawn, I was just reading in another thread that re-pressing a transfer with plain paper will remove a dark transfer from the front of the shirt. It is a way to fix dark transfer mistakes.
I think you mean light paper, and I think you mean to use it for the first press when the transfers backing paper is still on, but I wanted to mention this as you shouldn't use this copy paper for a re-press on a dark shirt.
For the second press, teflon, parchment or silicone is really great.
I think everyone has a preferrence of what they like better. I myself have just found the parchment to work better for me with both transfers and dtg. I am sure others might have different opinions. For me curing the ink on dtg, if the heat isnt perfectly even, the cure will not be the best and its really important to me to have that.
Lol, we were writing at the same time... I agree with you, Sunny. I'm going to check out the other two to make sure I'm using what I really want to be using. I really think there is nothing like seeing something with your own eyes.
Yea also Kelly the parchment leaves a really nice matte finish on the transfer, where as the teflon will leave more of a shiny finish. Because of this, the parchment may make your jpss look smoother.
__________________
Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee
Teflon Alternative 
