Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
anyone use thermoflex as a setup to see if a design sells and then go ahead and make screenprint screens out of them... since doing the screens (1,2,3 etc. colors) and find out it doesn't sell kind of is waste of time? if you do i would like some tips, discussiions etc.. with you!
There are some posts in the screen printing section that refer to using vinyl (not thermo, more sign vinyl) to create your screen masters which is also another good way to try designs.
The only problem I think you will have is layering of colours using thermoflex. I have done a few 3 colour logo's etc for a few bussiness's but wouldn't do it on a Tee, stands out too much. Single colour designs/slogans work well though, thats what I do.
If its a one color design making the screen is just as easy as cutting and weeding vinyl. I dont have an exposure unit yet so I use knife cut film and my plotter just like using vinyl. You cut the design, weed the film and apply to the screen with a chemical adheasive. If you had an exposure unit its even easier. I have done thermoflex custom shirts for a long time but nothing compares to a one color waterbased screen print. I am still learning to print and need the exposure unit so I can move into fading halftones which you just cant do with thermoflex.
Hey david
you mentioned
. I dont have an exposure unit yet so I use knife cut film and my plotter just like using vinyl. You cut the design, weed the film and apply to the screen with a chemical adheasive.
i'm interested in this process.. my exposure unit is ok, but my screen output printer has banding problems so i can't get my positives looking good.. i do have a cutter so can you explaing the process (supplies i need where to get and if you are able to do pretty detailed designs)... designs that are weedable in thermoflex.. (not too thin etc... though)..
Hey david
you mentioned
. I dont have an exposure unit yet so I use knife cut film and my plotter just like using vinyl. You cut the design, weed the film and apply to the screen with a chemical adheasive.
i'm interested in this process.. my exposure unit is ok, but my screen output printer has banding problems so i can't get my positives looking good.. i do have a cutter so can you explaing the process (supplies i need where to get and if you are able to do pretty detailed designs)... designs that are weedable in thermoflex.. (not too thin etc... though)..
The film is Ulano knife cut film (the green film).
The adheasive chemical is the Ulano Sta-Sharp adheasion fluid. You can probably also use Laq. thinner. I use this set up with waterbased inks.
I think there are other films you can use with plastisol and chemical cleanup solvents.
You basically load the film as you would vinyl, cut your design and weed the design out of the top layer of film.
The film has two layers, the green, for lack of a better term emulsion and the clear mylar carrier sheet.
Flip the screen over and tape the film on the mesh as tight as you can. Flip the screen over again printing side up and dap the fluid through the mesh directly on the emulsion. You will know it is sticking as the color turns bright like its wet.
Once it is completely stuck let it dry, then carefully peel off the backing clear mylar. Tape it off around the edges and print away.
There is a couple threads about the film with some actual screen and film pics. I cant seem to find them on my computer anymore.
A pic of my first white waterbased on black attempt.
Actually there are several different films, some for waterbased inks and some for chemical based inks. There are some films developed for exposure units as well.
The stencil is tight and you can print just like an emulsion screen. What you cant do is fades unless you use the films made for exposure units.
Ahhh yes, reclaiming the screen was a messy endeavor initially. You can remove the stencil with the sta-sharp fluid but that gets expensive. I use laq. thinner and it works just as well and is cheap.
A tip that will save you time, clothing and frustration.
Apply some sign vinyl or a tacky transfer tape to the stencil and cover it completely. Saturate the stencil from the print side of your screen just like you did when applying the film. Let the laq. thinner soak it for a bit and use plenty of it not just a dab. Once its been soaked for a bit gently pull the vinyl off and take the stencil with it. You will get 95% percent of it in that one method and then just scrub the rest off with the thinner. If you use the vinyl you will be amazed how it comes right off.
thermoflex test run to screenprinting 
