PLASTISOL TRANSFERS heat transfers used for major artist concert t-shirts: quickie review
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This section of the forum is where Rodney, a die hard screen printing fan, journeys into the world of heat press and heat transfers. Coming from the perspective of a complete heat press newbie making t-shirts for the first time. Jump right in :)
[PLASTISOL TRANSFERS] - heat transfers used for major artist concert t-shirts: quickie review
It was a birthday present from my wife and we had pretty darn good seats
Some people buy postcards, magnets or shotglasses as keepsakes from the places they go, I like to buy t-shirts as "souvenirs"
Some interesting things I noted about the t-shirts for sale:
The didn't have many styles available in XXL (might have been the demographic)
The prices were pretty high and they were selling LOTS.
The designs weren't "generic". Looks like they had t-shirt artists put some thought into them.
They had a neat marketing technique: the first 40 people to spend over $40 would win a free pass to meet John Legend after the show. Most of the shirts were just under $40, so it was clearly meant to encourage multiple item purchases.
I ended up buying an XL sized zip up hoody that said "Legend" across the front since it had a nice double meaning.
What's the first thing you notice about this hoodie:
Well, the first thing I noticed when I picked it up was how soft it was. So instinctively, I went straight for the label and found out that it was an APX4000Z hoodie from Independent Trading Company (I'd link directly to the garment page, but unfortunately, they decided to use flash for their new website, so it's lacking in functionality).
Then I held it up close to try to figure out how they did the printing over the seam/zipper:
Well, it turns out they must have used a heat press to apply the graphic.
In the first picture, you can see a slight discoloration outline where heat press was clamped down (click on the image to zoom in). To be honest, I was a bit put off by it, and when I went back to see if they had any that didn't have the press marks on it, I found out that they ALL had the same marks on it.
The vendor guy said that it would wash out after the first wash, which I knew to be true since the same thing happened with my first custom t-shirt I heat pressed. But still, I didn't expect to see it on a retail ready product.
Either way, I'm 99% sure that most of the shirts at the concert (with $25-$55 pricetags) were done with a heat press and plastisol transfers.
The design above shows one way to get a screen printed design to go over the seams or zipper in a hoodie. With a heat press, the ink doesn't have to be "pushed" over the zipper, it can be pressed down on top of the zipper, which eliminates the motion that causes the most problems when printed over bumps with direct screen printing.
Re: heat transfers used for major artist concert t-shirts: quickie review
Moo, I would dare say YES without seeing it. A few day's ago I came across a very fancy Split girls top with two diferent kinds of fabrics that have been pressed with, I would say Plastisol transfer, on top of both. Along the edges where the in-font fabric overlaped the bottom one the transfer was still unseparated over these edges. You could separate it as you lifted it (the sew line was 2 or 3 mm further in and the edges were overhanging). I hope you understand my english :-)). This must be creativity!...
Re: heat transfers used for major artist concert t-shirts: quickie review
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Really? What did you think the difference was between what you do and 'retail'?
I wouldn't expect a retail shirt that is supposedly "professionally" printed to have the same mistakes I made when I did my very first heat pressed shirt
I think you can get rid of the press marks by reducing the pressure or the temperature (or using a teflon sheet). I know on subsequent presses of the same article1 style shirt, I didn't have the same press marks.
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How did they cut the plastisol on the zipper? Wouldn't it hold the sweatshirt closed and get in the way when you tried to open it?
I didn't see them do it, but I'm guessing with a razor or maybe even by just opening the zipper?
Re: heat transfers used for major artist concert t-shirts: quickie review
Just a theory, as I've never pressed anything in 2 pieces...I'd first draw a "reference line" across the back of the transfer...cut the transfer where the zipper will be with a straight edge and an exacto knife...then line up the transfer on the zipper opening & make sure your reference line matches up on both pieces of the transfer so your lettering stays straight...
Re: heat transfers used for major artist concert t-shirts: quickie review
Something else I'd like to know...is it ok to clamp down on something with a zipper in your heat press without padding around it? Is there a chance the zipper could dent or otherwise damage your platen?
Re: heat transfers used for major artist concert t-shirts: quickie review
stahls teflon pillows work good with uneven printing areas.
usually you need to re-press it again covered with a teflon sheet to to finish off any little ink particals that did not stick the first time around....on raised side-edges.
not sure if this is what you guys are talking about....long day of wine tasting.
Re: heat transfers used for major artist concert t-shirts: quickie review
I work mostly on an automatic and sometimes we get those discoloration lines from the squeegee pressure.
Printing direct on the garment over a zipper is always a problem where I work. So much so that the boss just gets most of those orders outsourced now.
Re: heat transfers used for major artist concert t-shirts: quickie review
Just wanted to say that this is a great post. For reasons I won't mention I had sort of fell back from participating in the forum, but now I'm back with a fresh attitude.
Rodney you and your wife have great taste in music. I also celebrated a birthday in April and was treated to a weekend in Atlantic City and Philly. Okay, enough small talk, back to business.
I'm catching up on lots of posts, so forgive me if my questions have been answered elsewhere. I'm still experiencing the boxy press marks after hitting shirts. However I'm working on touch & go equipment at best and I've just started working on getting my adjustments right. Feel free to explain to me how not to get those marks or direct me to the link that will teach me. I've tried less pressure and had less than acceptable results. But that night was getting really long and the room was getting really hot, so I'll try again this evening after work.
Re: heat transfers used for major artist concert t-shirts: quickie review
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Originally Posted by mikeinbmore
Just wanted to say that this is a great post. For reasons I won't mention I had sort of fell back from participating in the forum, but now I'm back with a fresh attitude.
Rodney you and your wife have great taste in music. I also celebrated a birthday in April and was treated to a weekend in Atlantic City and Philly. Okay, enough small talk, back to business.
I'm catching up on lots of posts, so forgive me if my questions have been answered elsewhere. I'm still experiencing the boxy press marks after hitting shirts. However I'm working on touch & go equipment at best and I've just started working on getting my adjustments right. Feel free to explain to me how not to get those marks or direct me to the link that will teach me. I've tried less pressure and had less than acceptable results. But that night was getting really long and the room was getting really hot, so I'll try again this evening after work.
I think you can decrease the press marks by using a teflon sheet
Re: heat transfers used for major artist concert t-shirts: quickie review
With all the sample shirts I've done, I've always used a teflon sheet and never had any marks on my shirts. So I would say yes the teflon sheet stops any press marks.
Re: heat transfers used for major artist concert t-shirts: quickie review
I know time is money in this business, but its easy to eliminate the press marks with a steam iron and ironing board. just be careful not to iron the transfer. This is just a little trick learned from removing embroidery hoop marks.
Product presentation is important to me, I would'nt ever consider delivering shirts with press marks. A little attention to detail in this case would have done a lot to make you feel comfortable that you were purchasing a quality product.
heat transfers used for major artist concert t-shirts: quickie review 
Re: heat transfers used for major artist concert t-shirts: quickie review 
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