Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Did a job for my son's basketball league. I used Siser Easy Weed and pressed on 100% cotton tees. Pressed according to instructions 302 degrees for 10-15 seconds. My son came back from his games and said some of the letters were coming off of the shirts. I am so upset. What did I do wrong?
Sorry to here that. Maybe the pressure used was not enough or the shirts used was not the right type. It sucks that it did not work for you because I have never had a problem. It is supposed to work on 100% cotton, 100% polyester, and poly/cotton blend but other than those two I can't see why it would come off unless again not enough pressure.
Sorry to here that. Maybe the pressure used was not enough or the shirts used was not the right type. It sucks that it did not work for you because I have never had a problem. It is supposed to work on 100% cotton, 100% polyester, and poly/cotton blend but other than those two I can't see why it would come off unless again not enough pressure.
Hate to hear that happened to you.
Katrina
Was it just a few or all had issues?
So far there have been four out of 60. I'm gonna have nightmares that they will all come off when they are washed.
I would like to say not to worry about that because it happens to us all. I always repress to answer your question. I don't use the Siser line . . . but I make sure that my pressure is set to the right setting . . . I once heard of the dollar bill test (stick a dollar bill in the press and clamp down, you should not be able to pull the dollar bill out
I press for five seconds first. . . then lay my design on the shirt and press for 8 - 10 seconds then remove the mylar backing. Then cover with the teflon sheet and repress for 15 - 18 seconds. Haven't had anything come back yet.
I would like to say not to worry about that because it happens to us all. I always repress to answer your question. I don't use the Siser line . . . but I make sure that my pressure is set to the right setting . . . I once heard of the dollar bill test (stick a dollar bill in the press and clamp down, you should not be able to pull the dollar bill out
I press for five seconds first. . . then lay my design on the shirt and press for 8 - 10 seconds then remove the mylar backing. Then cover with the teflon sheet and repress for 15 - 18 seconds. Haven't had anything come back yet.
good luck keep us posted.
Thanks for your help. I guess the only thing I can do at this point is to apologize and fix the shirts that messed up. Lesson learned.
What brand of press are you using??
Is the temp accurate or fluctuating??
How long was the pre press??
I used a Presto press and I pre-pressed for about 5-6 seconds. I am pretty sure the temp would be ok. I have used it before with no problems, however I have never pressed so many at one time. Could it be the pressure was too high? There is a lever on the side with numbers 1 thru 10 and I had it set on 7. Could it be when I opened the press I pulled some of the letters off? It does not have an auto release and I had to pull on the handle pretty hard to open it up.
This probably isn't for everyone, but I have been pressing with Thermoflex for almost 3 years now.
I crank the temp about 10 degrees higher than they suggest (might just be my heat press) and I use a very high pressure (the dollar bill test mentioned earlier is a great way to do it).
I also press and repress, Then I run my hands over the design, if I can feel a rough edge to the vinyl, I press again. I keep doing this until the edge is either soft or gone. Since I started doing it this way, I have never had a design lift.
This probably isn't for everyone, but I have been pressing with Thermoflex for almost 3 years now.
I crank the temp about 10 degrees higher than they suggest (might just be my heat press) and I use a very high pressure (the dollar bill test mentioned earlier is a great way to do it).
I also press and repress, Then I run my hands over the design, if I can feel a rough edge to the vinyl, I press again. I keep doing this until the edge is either soft or gone. Since I started doing it this way, I have never had a design lift.
Logan
Thanks..I will certainly try that method. Do you think it's too late get the shirts back and repress them?
It is definitely not too late to get them back. I have repressed shirts after the vinyl started to wrinkle after 5 washes. It is very forgiving as long as it doesn't tear too bad. (and even rips and tears can be repaired some times).
It is definitely not too late to get them back. I have repressed shirts after the vinyl started to wrinkle after 5 washes. It is very forgiving as long as it doesn't tear too bad. (and even rips and tears can be repaired some times).
Wow, even after they are washed? I would think the sticky stuff be washed away! I will call the coach and tell him to get the shirts back from the kids and I will repress. I am just so disappointed. This is my first "big" job and I was hoping it would finally be my break to get into the schools. I hope I didn't kill that opportunity. I lost some sleep last night.
It does happen to the best of us. I had a few football jerseys come back to me from a large order last season. But it was easy enough to just repress and get them on their way. At least it wasn't plastisol peeling away. LOL That would have been disastrous.
But yes, usually I wll repress my vinyl after application, just to insure it's going to stay put. I've seen where some other companies have pressed vinyl on, and it peeled off CLEAN the first wash. (my kids' soccer team for one) and there I stood with my company shirt on, people were blaming ME for the poor quality. I had to make sure they knew I didn't create those garments. LOL
It does happen to the best of us. I had a few football jerseys come back to me from a large order last season. But it was easy enough to just repress and get them on their way. At least it wasn't plastisol peeling away. LOL That would have been disastrous.
But yes, usually I wll repress my vinyl after application, just to insure it's going to stay put. I've seen where some other companies have pressed vinyl on, and it peeled off CLEAN the first wash. (my kids' soccer team for one) and there I stood with my company shirt on, people were blaming ME for the poor quality. I had to make sure they knew I didn't create those garments. LOL
Thanks for your help. It is sincerely appreciated!
Help! Vinyl Letters Coming Off of Shirts! 
