Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Hello,
I am new to heat pressing and have recently experimented with hot split transfers. From what I have seen, it is not as durable as direct screen printing. Does anyone have any advice on the most durable transfer methods, inks etc. Thanks very much in advance
What aspects of it make it seem less durable than screen printing. Since it is screen printing inks, I always thought it would have the same durability (when properly applied).
I have plastisol transfer printed shirts that I've washed several times without issue. Could it be the application that made it less durable?
Vinyl transfers are supposed to be pretty durable as well.
Hi Rodney,
Thank you very much for your reply. I purchased the hot split transfers from a company that screen prints your custom designs so I believe the transfer itself is fine. I followed their instructions to a T pre-heating the platen, 370 degrees for about 10 seconds. They recommend pausing for a few seconds before the peel. I tried both ways and pausing gives seems to give the best print. There must be something I'm doing wrong. The really light soft feel takes a little to get used to but if I stretch the shirt some of the parts start to crack. Also some of the letters slightly lift off the edges. I'm now starting to experiment with cold peel, crystals, and athletic plastisol.
Thanks again for your reply
The really light soft feel takes a little to get used to but if I stretch the shirt some of the parts start to crack. Also some of the letters slightly lift off the edges. I'm now starting to experiment with cold peel, crystals, and athletic plastisol.
It sounds like they didn't add an adhesive to the plastisol ink to make sure it could stretch. Some companies use crystals, some companies use a type of glue.
Hopefully another member with more experience with plastisol transfers will be able to post some tips here as well.
Trying some variety of cold peel, especially one with some sort of adhesive included, is probably a good bet.
However, it still sounds like you're getting very poor results with the hot peels, which shouldn't be the case. You might try rubbing over the back of the transfer with something to help press it into the shirt better; some people have had decent luck with this method. You could use something like a chalkboard erase, a rag, or a rolling pin and see if it helps at all.
Other than that... are you pre-pressing? Have you tried with more or less pressure?
what is the fabric you are putting the plastisol on? be sure it is not a stain resistant product. Are you using a cold peel? If so be sure you let it cool. If not remove quickly. Be sure you also pre-press item.
Most durable transfer 
