Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Yep . . then you are going to transfer that ink to the next shirt . . and the teflon sheet will get hot first before burning you shirt. Don't get me wrong you can still burn your shirt with teflon . . . but protects you press and shirt.
John. If you are printing die cut letters or numbers where a little ink might leak from the sides of the letters/numbers then I would definitely use the teflon sheet. Other than that, it is optional. Personally, I have been printing transfers for over 35 years and do not use a teflon sheet.
__________________ Ed www.proworldinc.com - Heat Presses, JPSS, CLEARSOFT PAPER +1000's Transfer Designs......most popular- Christmas, Rhinestones, Peace, Burnout
I use one to keep my upper platen clean from messes. More than one person here has accidentally pressed their inkjet heat transfer facing the wrong way, and melted it onto their upper platen. After that happening one time, folks get a teflon sheet, or use parchment paper.
I use both teflon and parchment paper. For light shirts, I use the teflon for the long press, to protect the platen from messes and to protect the fabric from the dwell.... after I peel, I use parchment paper for the second press, because I use JPSS and it gives my JPSS a smoother finish... alot softer than without.
You have to keep the teflon clean tho, so the ink on it doesn't ghost onto the next shirts. Mr. Eraser by Mr. Clean works well, as well as 409, that's the word on the boards. =)
__________________ Please ask Q's in the threads as I may not see your PM. A many wonderful folk will be willing to help you. Apologies to those not answered, as I sign on sporadically these days. Thx 4 undrstnding. Have a great day.
You have to keep the teflon clean tho, so the ink on it doesn't ghost onto the next shirts. Mr. Eraser by Mr. Clean works well, as well as 409, that's the word on the boards. =)
I'm sorry. If that's the point .. why not using parchment paper all the time?
so you (we) don't have to clean the teflon sheet every each transfer on opaque?
Because, teflon will help prevent the fabric from scorching, and parchment doesn't. Teflon lasts longer (years) and dollar per dollar, parchment costs more because you always have to replace the box. Telfon, from my own experience, seems to distribute the heat of the upper platen more evenly and efficiently. I discovered what seems to be a cool spot on my Mighty Press. When I press without teflon, it affects the shirt as a circular "puff" in that area. When I prepress with teflon, the heat is distributed evenly again. Those are the reasons I use teflon, and my experience with it.
The thing about this process is, not everyone's experience is the same, but when you find something you like, that works for you, you tend to stick with it. You'll always find others who do the same thing you do, sometimes, for the same reasons, sometimes, you don't know the reason, but you won't change... and you'll always find folks that do things differently then you do. That's heat transfers...
Whatever works for you is what you should be doing.
__________________ Please ask Q's in the threads as I may not see your PM. A many wonderful folk will be willing to help you. Apologies to those not answered, as I sign on sporadically these days. Thx 4 undrstnding. Have a great day.
I rarely use a teflon sheet to print regular inkjet transfers. I do use it for tote bags, other than cotton t-shirts and rhinestuds/stones because it protects the article from scotching.
It is also handy when printing front & back on articles. I'd suggest you test your situation and see what is comfortable for you. That is how we grow in our ability to produce quality shirts quickly. I've learned so much in my short six years ... I certainly don't do things exactly as I did them when I started.
Because, teflon will help prevent the fabric from scorching, and parchment doesn't. Teflon lasts longer (years) and dollar per dollar, parchment costs more because you always have to replace the box. Telfon, from my own experience, seems to distribute the heat of the upper platen more evenly and efficiently. I discovered what seems to be a cool spot on my Mighty Press. When I press without teflon, it affects the shirt as a circular "puff" in that area. When I prepress with teflon, the heat is distributed evenly again. Those are the reasons I use teflon, and my experience with it.
The thing about this process is, not everyone's experience is the same, but when you find something you like, that works for you, you tend to stick with it. You'll always find others who do the same thing you do, sometimes, for the same reasons, sometimes, you don't know the reason, but you won't change... and you'll always find folks that do things differently then you do. That's heat transfers...
Whatever works for you is what you should be doing.
ok thank you. weird thing is. I use both parchment and teflon
shirt + parchment + teflon
I once ruin my shirt because of dirty teflon and really piss off lol
ok thank you. weird thing is. I use both parchment and teflon
You're welcome... and I do, too. =)
Quote:
shirt + parchment + teflon
That's how I do my dark shirts when I use the opaque paper. =)
Quote:
I once ruin my shirt because of dirty teflon and really piss off lol
Me, too. I considered not using the teflon anymore after that, and just use parchment for both the first press and second, but I can't give up that telfon... those benefits that I feel I get *got a hold* of me.... lol.
Hope you have a great day, take care. =)
__________________ Please ask Q's in the threads as I may not see your PM. A many wonderful folk will be willing to help you. Apologies to those not answered, as I sign on sporadically these days. Thx 4 undrstnding. Have a great day.
Help!!! I am ready to quit before I begin. I have had nothing but total failure in pressing. I think it is because I am using a Teflon sheet. I have the Jetpro Soft Stretch 11 x 17 for Inkjets. I have Gildan 100% cotton shirts. The Papaer intructions say I can use cotton. Every Youtube that I look at is absent of the Teflon sheet when using a regular inkjet transfer. No need? Am I blocking the heat?. I have ruined 3 shirts. Ink is still on the paper. Enough pressure? I have a new Knight DK20. Screwing the pressure bolt counter-clockwise increases pressure. The instructions say look at the pressure graph read-out. My read-out has no pressure graph. Peely, crappy results!!! What should I do?
Help!!! I am ready to quit before I begin. I have had nothing but total failure in pressing. I think it is because I am using a Teflon sheet.
Not likely, but let's take a look at what's going on. =)
Quote:
I have the Jetpro Soft Stretch 11 x 17 for Inkjets. I have Gildan 100% cotton shirts. The Papaer intructions say I can use cotton.
This is true. =)
Quote:
Every Youtube that I look at is absent of the Teflon sheet when using a regular inkjet transfer. No need?
That's right, it can be considered optional, for sure. But for those who use the teflon, you might be hard pressed to convince them to give it up. Count me among that group. I love my teflon for the main press, and parchment paper for the post press when using JPSS (Jetpro Sofstretch).
Quote:
Am I blocking the heat?.
Not at all. Teflon allows the heat to pass thru. I do not even make a slight temperature adjustment when using teflon.
Quote:
I have ruined 3 shirts. Ink is still on the paper. Enough pressure?
A successful press takes three things to work: time, temp and pressure. Those are the first things to look at when having issues.
Quote:
I have a new Knight DK20.
Good press, so I wouldn't be likely to suspect the press at first. But if all else fails, sometimes presses are not truly running at the temps they are set for. You can check that with heat testing strips or IR gun if it comes to that.
Quote:
Screwing the pressure bolt counter-clockwise increases pressure.
My Mighty Press goes in the opposite direction. Clockwise to increase pressure, counter clockwise to decrease. As long as you are sure yours is going in that direction.
Quote:
The instructions say look at the pressure graph read-out. My read-out has no pressure graph.
Maybe your manual is for your press, and another model or two that have additional options that yours doesn't have. That's pretty normal. If you bought your press and it is supposed to have the pressure graph, I would put a call into the seller.
Quote:
Peely, crappy results!!! What should I do?
You didn't say what time and temp you are using when pressing. Please advise your settings.
Also, are the seams or collar of the shirt getting in the way? Even if your pressure is right, the seams or collar could interfer with the pressure actually reaching the transfer, and could cause transfer failure. A mouse pad or uncorrogated cardboard slipped inside the garment will solve this by raising the imprint area, so it can recieve full pressure.
Please let us know your time and temp. In the meantime, here is a post on step by step how to press instructions. Why not review them and see if there is anything in there that you might not be doing that can help you have success:
__________________ Please ask Q's in the threads as I may not see your PM. A many wonderful folk will be willing to help you. Apologies to those not answered, as I sign on sporadically these days. Thx 4 undrstnding. Have a great day.
Needless to say...YOU ARE MY NEW HERO!!!!!! Wow! You've been at this a while (IR Gun). I am just a graphic designer who finally after many years put 2+2 together and said "Hey stupid...make shirts!"
My settings have been as prescribed for the Jet Pro. 375 @30 seconds with moderate or mid pressure.
When I get home, I am setting asisde the teflon, cranking up the pressure, and going for it!!!
Teflon Sheet 
