Good questions.
Teflon should be considered for every heat press job. In fact, many of us have the teflon permanently attached to our machine. That is because, even if you don't NEED it for the job, it protects your machine. All it takes is one mistake and you have a transfer glued to your upper platen or staining that can damage your next job.
It is easier and cheaper to replace a sheet of teflon than it is to replace a damaged upper platen.
Teflon can give a different finish on some products and some people say it helps with more even heat distribution.
Personally, I wouldn't use a heat press without either teflon or parchment paper attached to the upper platen.
__________________ Equipment: GX24, 15 x15 heat press, Corel 12 Useful Info: 2 years Epson tech support - Mac & PC
You can press a transfer without teflon or parchment paper.
Some use these products, some don't. There are quite a few that won't press without it, for the excellent reason that Honey told you, in addition, I use the teflon to protect the fabric from possible scorch.
For folks who made an "opps" and melted a transfer to their upper platen, or those of us who have read their horror stories of trying to clean it, you won't find us pressing without the teflon, or at the very least a piece of parchment paper (like Reynolds baking paper) to keep everything moving along nice and clean.
Good luck no matter what you choose. You will be able to press the transfer without teflon or parchment.
I never use cover sheet or teflon and if you do put one up side down and stick it to your upper platen it will clean off with no problems.
Just need the right cleaning stuff to take it off and beleave me I have clean mine all the time LOL...
__________________ Never say "no I can't" when you can just takes time and patience!!!!
I dont like using the teflon(only on our Stahls numbers we use it.) I use baking paper. You can buy rolls of it at the dollar store. One sheet cut off the roll can do a 100 shirts before the heat gets to it.Or you can buy it from a print company for $20.00 a roll.lol
Hi Dan.
Other than cost, what don't you like about using the teflon?
My press came with 2 sheets of it, one thick and one thin. So cost was not a factor.
__________________ Equipment: GX24, 15 x15 heat press, Corel 12 Useful Info: 2 years Epson tech support - Mac & PC
[quote=InspiredImp;470970]Good questions.
Teflon should be considered for every heat press job. In fact, many of us have the teflon permanently attached to our machine. That is because, even if you don't NEED it for the job, it protects your machine. All it takes is one mistake and you have a transfer glued to your upper platen or staining that can damage your next job.
It is easier and cheaper to replace a sheet of teflon than it is to replace a damaged upper platen.
Teflon can give a different finish on some products and some people say it helps with more even heat distribution.
Personally, I wouldn't use a heat press without either teflon or parchment paper attached to the upper platen.[/quote
How do you attach it my platen gets so hot i'm not sure what to use???Please respond would love to know.
Thanks
There are 2 options for attaching.
1. Buy a teflon 'bra' that is designed for your machine size.
2. Buy a teflon sheet and attach it yourself. I use the shiny metal heat tape - like aluminum foil with adhesive. I like it better than duct tape which turned into a sticky mess when heated.
__________________ Equipment: GX24, 15 x15 heat press, Corel 12 Useful Info: 2 years Epson tech support - Mac & PC
I dont use teflon on the initial press. I do use a sheet if I do a second press after peeling for obvious reasons. I do have a teflon lower pad protector but it is there to keep the lower platon rubber in good shape.
I place the transfer down and place the baking paper on top and press. It is to protect my shirt more than anything else. I suppose if I did get my transfer stuck to the platen after forgetting to lay down the baking paper first, that would indeed suck. But really just clean it off. I noticed that the teflon gave the transfers a bit of a matte finish, a little shiny for my liking.
I do use it on our letters as I said and I do have teflon attached to my mug presses. Have to be careful that pressure is just right with that press or you can see the pattern of the teflon in the design on the mugs. I also use it in our plate press, we do collectors plates. But I dont use it in our cap presses.
I have a press that I am going to attach teflon to permanent just for doing numbers. Just to speed up the process.
to teflon or not to? 
tnx!!
