Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Hello:
Although I have more than 15 years of experience in Screen Printing on t-shirts, I want to start making Plastisol Heat Transfers, and I really don't know where to start, so here is a few questions for you guys:
1) Which Ink brand has the best quality of Plastisol Inks for transfers, ( I understand that this is different ink, not the same for direct printing.)
2) What is the best Transfer Paper for plastisol inks? I will like to have both, glossy and mate finish.
3) Do I have to use Powder adhesive? or is there a "Screenable" adhesive?
My specialty is 4 color process, and I want to do the same, but on heat transfers.
We just jumped in and started printing them with the Union ink we used for t-shirts. This was over a decade ago and I don't remember the paper. We did use an adhesive powder. It wasn't as big a deal as it seemed, it just took some experimentation. Keep track of what you do and make sure to test the shirts thoroughly before committing to customer orders.
I finally worked out Plastisol transfers.
I needed a solution for my regular customers that would call and need a few more t-shirts without inking up a screen for 3 shirts, answer Plastisol transfers.
I spent months reading dozens of tutorials on making transfers and NONE OF THEM WORKED.
I actual called a guy that sold transfer supplies and he spent an hour explain how to do it and then when I ask if he had every did any himself, he said "no, not actually".
So I ending up figuring it out by trail and error, lots of error. I only do 1 and 2 color transfers, but this is my process.
First, I have only been successful using standard Plastisol ink on Hot Peel transfers. I ran in too many problems with cold peel and hot-split.
I now buy my paper in bulk, but you can buy a small quanity from Silscreeningsupplies.com. You want the Transal premium hot peel paper, it comes in 15" X 15" sheets.
You will need the adhesive power too.
Make your screen in reverse and print your design on the paper, I just use a standard 110 screen. Don't flash.
Take your paper off the platten and powder, use something like a pizza box, shake off the excess powder and then cure the transfer like you would a shirt, but don't over cure. Let cool. Heat your press to 370 degrees and use medium pressure for 10 second, then peel.
This works for me, hope it helps.