Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Here's my problem. We designed and manufactured 10,000 shirts in China. They all have double applique letters, felt lettering, and gorgeous graphics. They all are California themed tees and polo shirts. We need to add small words like Malibu, or Venice Beach. The words would be very small in size like 1 1/2 inches by 8 inches. We tried Epsom heat transfer paper. But when it's applied you see the glue's imprint in between and all around the words. We are getting small orders from stores all over CA like for maybe 5 dozen. It doesn't pay to make screens and use our local screen printer. And I can't use a large heat press because it might affect the applique and colors etc that are already on the shirts.
Since it is a small area isn't there something I can use a hand iron to apply lettering. Even plastisol requires a thermal press. Would a hobby iron work or some other alternative. Thanks for your help
Here's my problem. We designed and manufactured 10,000 shirts in China. They all have double applique letters, felt lettering, and gorgeous graphics. They all are California themed tees and polo shirts. We need to add small words like Malibu, or Venice Beach. The words would be very small in size like 1 1/2 inches by 8 inches. We tried Epsom heat transfer paper. But when it's applied you see the glue's imprint in between and all around the words. We are getting small orders from stores all over CA like for maybe 5 dozen. It doesn't pay to make screens and use our local screen printer. And I can't use a large heat press because it might affect the applique and colors etc that are already on the shirts.
Since it is a small area isn't there something I can use a hand iron to apply lettering. Even plastisol requires a thermal press. Would a hobby iron work or some other alternative. Thanks for your help
You need to use a self weeding Imageclip for inkjet transfer paper. Cut up the transfer but don't have to trim really close since the polymer in unprinted area is removed before pressing. Buy silicon baking cookie sheet and cut it up into strips the same width and length of the transfer. When you press put a thick strip or stack of strips of silicon baking cookie sheet under the shirt. Make sure the strip(s) are wide and long enough that will elevate the area that you press the heat transfer on. You also need the same amount of strips somewhere that has no design to counter balance the pressure and keep the heat press from making contact with the existing design. I do that when I press name on a sports jersey that has design already on the shirt.
BTW wrap the silicone strips with a cloth to keep them together when pressing the transfer.
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Luis MAD Scientist JR. AKA MS2 Digital Artist. My canvas is t-shirt and my paintbrush is heat press.
Last edited by Lnfortun; July 23rd, 2009 at 11:22 PM.
I know thid is going to sound stupid, but what is a self weeding imageclip? And how do I get them/it?
Self weeding means the unwanted polymer is removed before the transfer is pressed on the shirt. The transferred image does not have a box/window/polymer that are unwanted in and around the transferred image. The transfer paper is suitable for pastel and slightly darker colored shirt. Well suited for text, gradient and photo images. Good for one offs and no restriction of buying minimum order of custom transfers.
The drawback is it is a two step process. It needs a laser printed mask for removing the unwanted polymer. A laser copier is an alternative means if laser printer is not available. Copy depot like Kinko is a good place that has laser photo copier.
You can get the transfer paper from Tshirtsupplies.com which is a forum preferred vendor. The company has sample program at very reasonable price. The paper comes in two sizes, 8 1/2 X 11 and 11 X 17.
Iron on words 
MAD Scientist JR. AKA MS2
