Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Quckie lesson on using the transfer tape?
Is it heat resistant?
So you just tape the letters or transfers or whatever down, then press as usual ...then the tape just comes right off?
Hate to do it without knowing what I'm doing and ruin my press or something.
Quckie lesson on using the transfer tape?
Is it heat resistant?
So you just tape the letters or transfers or whatever down, then press as usual ...then the tape just comes right off?
Do you mean Thermal tape? It is a light blue transparent tape made to handle heat from the press? If yes, than it will come off after pressing. I would try to keep at the edges, away from the transfers. I have had a problem with the corner of the tape changing the pressure or heat. Ruined a photo with a hicky.
If you are talking about 'application' tape, then no. It looks more like white masking tape and is used with outdoor vinyl.
Where did you get your tape, and what does it look like? If you don't know it is thermal tape, be careful or you will have a mess to clean up.
You could test it on a ruined shirt, cover the tape with a piece of paper to protect your heating element.
since you mentioned the other tape, used for outdoor vinyl. I know how that works, but was wondering if there is a similar (or the same) technique used when applying vinyl designs to shirts? Surely you don't have to pull off each individual letter, or part of the graphic or whatever, and put it on the shirt - lining it up and spacing it correctly without an aid.
Just got my new vinyl cutter last week. (THANKS JOSH!) I haven't had time to even take it out of the box yet - but hope to get to it this week.
...wondering if there is a similar (or the same) technique used when applying vinyl designs to shirts?
Heat transfer is cut in reverse. You flip the design before you cut it.(important!) After weeding, what you have left is a mylar sheet with the lettering ready for the press. Lay the cut side down on the shirt, mylar on top. Press very lightly, cool and remove mylar. I press hard again with teflon to make it permanent.
Heat transfer is cut in reverse. You flip the design before you cut it.(important!) After weeding, what you have left is a mylar sheet with the lettering ready for the press. Lay the cut side down on the shirt, mylar on top. Press very lightly, cool and remove mylar. I press hard again with teflon to make it permanent.
What about when you use printed vinyl? You then have to use the transfer tape for lettering since you don't mirror these designs.
how to use tape 
