 I-Dot info
Here are a few tips to help get the best quality print from your iDOT!
• If at all possible use a high resolution image (300dpi). The iCOLOR rip does do amazing work with a low resolution image to give the best quality possible, but with most printing the higher the resolution the better off you will be.
• To not limit an image to just one color textile (i.e.; white, black, etc.), set up the art on a transparent background. In the iCOLOR rip a user can create their own transparent background, but they must be careful when doing so. Any color selected to be made transparent will also take that color out of the image as well. Not everyone has access to photoshop or corel draw, but if you do it is easier to just set up all your work with a transparent background.
• Once you find a brand of shirts you like to use, stick with that brand if possible. This will eliminate the guesswork for pre-treating them since different brands and weight required a different amount of pre-treatment.
• When pre-treating a shirt, we found that stamping the shirt for 30 seconds before applying the pre-treatment gave a smoother better looking finish on the shirt. The reason is because stamping the shirt before hand pulls a great deal of the moisture from the shirt. Also with less moisture in the shirt the amount of pre-treatment needed is far less (about 25%-50% less applied). Even with less pre-treatment, the white will lay down enough for the image and have a much smoother look. If you were having any problems with fibers showing trough, this should solve that issue.
• Cure times and temperature are important. The best results we found were done with these steps:
- Heat press temperature is set to 350*F
- Time is set for one minute
- One minute of no pressure heat; then 2 consecutive one minute of full pressure heat with parchment paper
- If you have a large image with a lot of ink, then one more extra minute of full pressure heat is recommended
• To assure your shirt will last just as long as a screen printed shirt, wash it inside out (all shirts should be) and use cold water. | 
