Discuss the different brands and sizes of heat presses available on the market, including Hix, GeoKnight, Hotronix, and other smaller manufacturers. Topics include maintenance, selection, styles and more.
Firstly thank you for reading and apologies because I realise how ridiculous this sounds
Am just starting out and have been using a printer to get some samples done and adding some bits myself with a standard iron eg rhinestones. However, I want to start working with applique letters etc and if I use a standard iron to do this it will be difficult to make sure they are straight etc.
Am considering buying a heat press but from what I can make out they are simply two plates...do they have measurements on them to make the sure a) the shirt itself is 'lined up' to the design is straight/even/centred and b) would it be easier to ensure the applique letters were even?
I did warn you it was a ridiculous question Thanks for any advice!
The heat presses do not come with measurements on them. I am not sure you'd be able to see the measurements once you cover them with a shirt either.
There are a few methods for lining up a tee on a platen:
*My new preference is to fold the shirt in half, and heat press it. That makes a center line on the shirt and removes moisture from the fabric, all in one shot. Motoskin Graphics suggested this , and I really do like it a bit better than my other method, but think I will combine the two sometimes.
*I normally use a June Taylor Fringe Cut (craft item) as it is clear plastic, with lines and numbers.
*Others use a TeeSqaureIt and like that.
One common feedback on the forum is the larger the press platen, the easier it is to line up the garment, no matter which method you use.
If I find another alignment tool, I'll mention it for you here. Have a great night.
Pretty common question. You will spend a lot of time obsessing about getting stuff straight and lined up perfectly. With practice you get pretty good at eyeballing it.
There are several tools and techniques available to help you out. Poke around the archives for 'align' or 'alignment'. You can go cheap and get yourself a big, clear ruler with lots of lines from a fabric store to help you get started.
For your arched lettering, you could get it laid out on shirt at your work bench, then create a sort of cardboard template that will help you align your letters around the curve. Maybe mark off measurements in 1/2" increments around that arch so you can check on spacing as well?
It will take some trial and error to get it right, but once you do, it'll make life alot easier. Just remove the guide before pressing the letters.
I had assumed that the OP was using a transfer. If you're doing individual letters, get a graphics package and make yourself a template. You can easily to arched letters in Illustrator or Corel. Print it out in actual size, trim off the top 2 inches (or so), line up the template, put your letters on top, remove the template and press. Easy as pie!
Depending on what you are doing it may also help to find someone who has a vinyl cutter and can provide you with your design/letters weeded or ready to weed. The backing holds it all together... much easier than trying to line up each letter and it stops them moving while closing the press too!
Where are you located? Possibly someone in your area would welcome you to bring a transfer down and try their press so you can see the differences.
The heat presses do not come with measurements on them. I am not sure you'd be able to see the measurements once you cover them with a shirt either.
There are a few methods for lining up a tee on a platen:
*My new preference is to fold the shirt in half, and heat press it. That makes a center line on the shirt and removes moisture from the fabric, all in one shot. Motoskin Graphics suggested this , and I really do like it a bit better than my other method, but think I will combine the two sometimes.
*I normally use a June Taylor Fringe Cut (craft item) as it is clear plastic, with lines and numbers.
*Others use a TeeSqaureIt and like that.
One common feedback on the forum is the larger the press platen, the easier it is to line up the garment, no matter which method you use.
If I find another alignment tool, I'll mention it for you here. Have a great night.
I have been eye balling them for years and so far I have only gotten one crooked. Wasn't a big deal because it was a sample anyway but I never thought about folding the shirt in half. Makes great sense....thanks for the tip.
You may want to use a piece of mylar and draw an outline of the appliques with register marks. This way you can use the register marks to line up your appliques.
Possibly the most stupidest question EVER! 
Thanks for any advice!
to both of you. 
, and I really do like it a bit better than my other method, but think I will combine the two sometimes.
