jaknott

Hello everyone,
I am a middle school teacher and I just purchased a USCUTTER 25" vinyl cutter(all details are here eBay: NEW Large 25" Vinyl Sign Cutter Plotter w/Stand Cut 24" (item 270128855603 end time Jun-10-07 19:00:30 PDT)) for use in my classroom. I am hoping to make and design t-shirts with my students.
I have a question in regards to how one can keep the letters/numbers alligned or straight after weeding(hope that's the right term as I am new to this) the vinyl from the backing. Is there some sort of a tool that aligns it and then a tape that you can stick to it to keep it straight upon application? If so, where can I get such an item?
I bought three rolls of thermoflex plus vinyl for $37.50 roll(14" x 5 yds--Hope I didn't get ripped off??) The cutter comes with signcut 2 PE version and I was wondering if this will allow me to let my students cut around designs on opaque transfer sheets? I remember reading about some sort of program that allows the cutter to cut around intricate designs. We have used these opaque laser sheets for years and the kids have to hand cut around the designs. It is very difficult and frustrating for most.

Sorry to bombard you all with so many questions my first time. I just wish I would have known about this forum before purchasing the cutter and vinyl as you all seem very knowledgable.

Thanks,
Jason

 

Reply With Quote

jberte

good morning jason! seems you've bit off quite a chunk there at any rate, for your question regarding weeding.......what you (or the kids) pull off and throw away is that portion which is NOT part of the design! think weeding the garden and tossing the weeds while keeping the flowers! the lettering/graphics/numbers that are to be used are left in place on the tacky backing, turned face down then pressed on the garment. be sure to cut your images in reverse!

i'm not familiar with either your plotter or the software that's running it, so i don't know if you will have the ability to contour cut around transfers or not - i'm sure somebody with more experience with your setup will chime in shortly.

good luck!

ps: you realize you'll need a heat press to get reliable results with the thermoflex, right??? a household iron isn't gonna reach the temps you need to permanently fuse it with the fabric.......

 

Reply With Quote

jaknott

Hello,
Yep, I have a Mighty Press Heat press that we have been using for 4 years now. I just want to take our little endeavor to the next step. Thanks for the tip on reversing the image. I didn' t think I had to do that. So the fusing part of the vinyl is the part without the coating on? I thought it was the other way around so it's a good thing you mentioned that.

Thanks for your response.

Jason

 

Reply With Quote

COEDS

Jason the best alignment tool on the market is teesquareit this tool will keeep all your alignment issues to a minimum. You can purchase heat tape from most heat press suppliers. Good luck............ JB

__________________
RIP: 1964 - 2008

 

Reply With Quote

jaknott

Quote: Originally Posted by COEDS Jason the best alignment tool on the market is teesquareit this tool will keeep all your alignment issues to a minimum. You can purchase heat tape from most heat press suppliers. Good luck............ JB

Hi JB,
Thanks for the tip. I tried your link and it comes up DOA. Is there any chance there is a typo in the address? What is the tool called?

Thanks,
Jason

 

Reply With Quote

jberte

LOL try putting the 'r' back in square

 

Reply With Quote

jaknott

Quote: Originally Posted by jberte LOL try putting the 'r' back in square

Ok, great. I just bought one!

Thanks again,
Jason

 

Reply With Quote