Discuss the many aspects of plastisol (screen printed) heat transfers. Topics include where to buy, how to put them on t-shirts, quality, pictures, stock (pre printed) transfers and more. Read the definition of a plastisol transfer here.
We are using a hotronix press and logos made from F&M. Everything we have pressed the logos on is peeling and cracking off. We have not been in this business very long, but are trying very hard to make quality apparel products for our customers. Everything is returning with peels and cracks. We just completed an order on poly-mesh and followed the instructions. Peeled off after one wash. We have to reorder and redo everything for the basketball team. But we dont know what the issue is! Then we pressed onto sweatshirts and SAME problem!! It is faded/cracked and peeling! We have tried adjusting pressure, temp, etc.. and nothing is working!! What are we doing wrong?? We have several more large orders due soon and we cannot seem to correct what we have already done! Is it the material that F&M is using? Or is it us? I thought this would be a great way to make extra cash in this tough economic time; but we are loosing money left and right; not to mention loosing my mind over this!! Thanx for any replies!!
I had the same problems with F+M, major peeling around the edges. They use a different process, IMO, than a true plastisol transfer.
I'd get some samples from different companies and try them out. Additionally, search for F+M here and see if you have the same type of transfers with the clear underbase. They were good about resolving my order due to these issues.
F&M is the only transfer maker with which I've had 100% success but I stopped using them when they went to this new process because I don't like the clear coat business.
So they are fading, cracking and peeling? I'm skeptical. I have samples of their myidwear which have been washed dozens of times with no cracking or fading. Give some details like the time and temp. Are you preheating the bottom platen? Have you tested any samples from other vendors? Have you pressed previous samples from F&M? Have you washed any of your previous samples? Did you test your pressed transfers for proper adhesion and curing?
Peeling is most likely one of the following... either your press wasn't hot enough, the transfers were bad, the material was treated with something preventing adhesion or the material contains nylon.
Yes, time and temp were correct as per instructions. Yes, we preheated. No, there was nothing strange on the material.
Poly Mini Mesh and 100% cotton Sweatshirts.
F&M says that has never happened before so they dont know; but they asked me to send them pics, which I am doing right now. The ink just seems so thin. On some garments, it is actually peeling right off (like on the mesh shorts) and the sweatshirts, it is more faded. This is after only one wash. Very obvious. I called Stahl's where we bought the heat press. They say maybe we need to turn up the temp?
I am at a loss right now. We have orders that need to be completed, and then ones we have already done that need to be reordered and corrected. But I need to know what the problem is FIRST!! Thanx again
The only other ones we have used are Stahls numberalls; "ThermoFilm"... They stayed in tact; although the edges of the numbers are starting to peel. But the number itself is staying together. It seems so much "thicker" than the logo from F&M... It is like the logos from F&M are so thin and kinda "cheap"... But I dont know. F&M wants me to send them samples of what I have done so they can see what is happening. Even though I sent them pics yesteday. And some of my unused logos. They say noone else is having this problem with the lot they used. I just have so much to get done and dont have time for this to be happening! Maybe I will just up my temp and cross my fingers????
Can some one tell me....................... Do I have to match my transfer machine with the type of shirt that I buy?... Break it down.... Do some brands of t shirt work better with some machines?
Blessed4Ever -- I have to tell you...I was just at WhichWich eating my sandwich worrying about your peeling transfers! lol. I hope you are finding a solution. You have some sympathy from me....I haven't even started this business yet, but what you are experiencing is my nightmare. Hope you'll come back and let us know when you get your problem solved so I can quit worrying about it.
Aww.. thanks so much! We ordered a heat strip from Stahls to see how the machine is running. But I dont think it is that, because we took some of the logos, and used some logos that a friend of ours has (also from F&M) and used his hotronix heat press. The logos looked fine, but then we brought them home and washed them and they fell apart again.
I am starting to wonder...
Could it be our DRYER?????
It sounds like bad transfers but if no one else is having trouble from that batch it is a mystery. If you'd like to mail me some I will press them and see if I have trouble. I recommend you immediately contact several other transfer makers and order samples.
Wait, are you saying your logos fell apart that a friend pressed or his logos fell apart after you washed them.
Maybe you could post those pictures, it might help figure out what is going on.
We used HIS LOGOS from F&M and HIS heat press. They looked fine. We then brought them home and washed them and those TOO fell apart.
He said that his logos are not falling apart after the washes at HIS HOUSE, that is why I am wondering if it is just our dryer doing it to them?
Hi Blessed... I just read your posts. you could try repressing the shirts by applying
a teflon sheet over the printed image and reheating it,,,at least this could save the ones you
have already printed. It seems to me that your not
applying enough pressure...your design is probably "laying more on top" of the garmet
instead of actually being jelled into the garmet.
order samples from other companies. i tried transfers from about a half a dozen co's before settling on howard sportwear. call and ask them. i use their superhold ink formulation that has a very aggressive adhesive mixed in. it's a little thicker but it's very opaque and sticks great. never a problem. hope you figure it out. keep us updated. -good luck.
Please HELP!! Everything is peeling off!! 
