Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
OK, I am ready to do my first attempts at using my press and want to do some holiday gifts.
I bought the Hix Swingman 15 and will be pressing using TransJet II printed from an Epson C88+ printer.
I will be printing on white tees and one natural color tee all Hanes Beefy T.
Also printing some Gildan Heavyweight childrens tees in white
Some Rabbit Skins onesies white
Some Rabbit Skins tolder tees in white
mousepads
natural colored tote bags
I just wanted someone to give me some input on preparing the items (do I wash the tees first, do I wash the totes? etc) as well as settings on the press and for how long.
Basically tell me what I need to know to do the first pressings as I am clueless.
Tips for Best Results
1. Use 100% COTTON or POLY/COTTON fabrics.
2. Do not apply to dark colored fabrics.
3. Do not image this paper in any laser printers or Color Laser Copiers (For use in InkJet ONLY)
DO NOT USE A HP DESKJET 1200C OR 1600C PRINTER
4. Set Printer to: A) T-Shirt transfer reverse image. B) Normal image quality. DO NOT oversaturate with ink.
5. Allow the image to dry for approximately 15 minutes before transferring.
6. Trim close to the image.
If Using a Commercial Heat Press
1. Set the heat press to 350-375 degress F.
2. Use medium to heavy pressure.
3. Press for 10-15 seconds only.
4. Peel paper while still hot.
If Using a Home Iron
1. It is best to do the ironing on a smooth, hard, non-porous surface. Fold a pillowcase in half and place it on top of the ironing surace. Make sure the ironing area is smooth and free from wrinkles.
2. Set the iron to the hottest setting (cotten or linen).
3. DO NOT ADD WATER TO THE IRON and make sure the steam setting is turned off.
4. Allow the iron to preheat for 5 minutes.
5. Iron the entire paper for 10 seconds to tack your image down.
6. Then place the iron in one corner, Press down firmly while slightly moving the iron back and forth along the edge of the paper for at least 30 seconds.
Washing Instructions
1. Wash in cold water with mild detergent and no bleach.
2. Turn the shirt inside out before washing.
3. Remove the washed garment immediately from the spin cycle of the washer. DO NOT LEAVE in washer for any extended period of time.
4. Tumble dry the garment using low heat.
I dont press printed transfers but with the vinyl and the few Plastisols I do , I dont prewash. You will want to pre-press though to remove wrinkles and moiosture. Im sure Ive run across the pressing instructions for Trasjet II somewhere, its just for the life of me I dont have the link handy. Lou and a few others are Wizs with the tranfer papers and Im sure one will chime in soon if they havent by the time Ive finished this post. Hope that helps a bit.
EDIT: damn youre too fast for me rodney.
DAMN my fat fingers!
Hoping others will stop by for info on mousepads and totebags.
In case they don't get a chance, you can do a search of this section of the forum for mousepads or totebags and you'll find some good tips for pressing those items that have already been posted in past discussions
I haven't bad much experience pressing pads or totes yet, but I will point out one quick thing -- make sure you don't get nylon totebag straps under the heat of the heat press. Melty melty! (This depends on the tote bag; some have canvas handles too and are fine.)
Thanks, I had not thought about that with the handles. I have not done a tote bag yet but will this weekend. I did some mousepads and at first they were awful. The color was awful and winds up it is the image. Not sure why as it looks great on paper but turns yellow after pressing.
My mistake was I did not realize it was the image and kept adjusting and trying over and over and wasted a bunch or pads in the process. Now I will test a bunch of swatches first.
I did my first shirts last night - 5 onesies and 4 childrens shirts and 1 childrens shirt that scorched and not sure why. It happened durring the pre press so I am wondering if the mark where it scorched had something on it. Weird.
First Time Pressing Questions 
