[mrtoad]

I need some help with ideas for aligning my graphics on shirts. I have been doing small kids shirts which are fairly easy but just did a bunch of size xxl and xl adult shirts an had trouble with keeping things straight.

I use the t square it but the fact that my press is 16 inch and the shirts hang way over I had issues getting it right.

I was thinking of laying the shirt flat first on a table and use the t square it to get my alignment and draw a line with tailors chalk or something similar then put the shirt on the press and pre press then put on the graphic (either transfer paper or vinyl) and press them.

Is this possible or will the heat do something with the chalk and ruin the shirt? If so any other ideas? I was very frustrated with the crooked designs I did and want to prevent in the future.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Twanabee]

For the larger shirts I center the t square it and lift the arm up on each side. I measure to the arm seam at the bottom where it meets the body of the shirt. I do this on both sides of the shirt making adjustments until they are equal. With practice you can lay the shirt down and be pretty close so it does not take much time per shirt.

 

[mrtoad]

Chuck thanks. That is how I do it too but still really had issues with the larger shirts. With some designs it is not a big deal but anything with text looks awful if you are off at all.

 

[Twanabee]

Make sure that you line up the text with the t square too. Don't try to eye-ball the text. I know that when I think I have it and then put the t square on, i'm down-on-the-right all the time. If i'm doing vinyl I score the backing in the middle to make sure i center it on the shirt.

 

[mr300s]

All you need to do is fold the shirt in half press for a couple seconds that will put a crease down the middle fold your transfer in half and either mark the crease or if you can see the crease just line up the two creases with the center crease on the shirt and they will b fine.

I couldn't get the t square to work either and sold it, the logo it I love though....

 

[mrtoad]

Bill what is the logo it?

 

[Twanabee]

It's a small t square it that aligns logos for over the pocket without the pocket. I measure.

 

[mr300s]

thanks here you go

 

[Lnfortun]

You can use the T square it that you have after you press a cress in the center of the shirt. Align the vertical center line of T square it. Why buy another tool when you have that will work the same as Logo it.

 

[TLH41]

Personally I don't try to put the transfer on the shirt while on the press. I just do it on a flat surface next to the press, hold the shirt up by the shoulders to check my work, and then press. This requires the use of a little heat tape, or Hot Tak adhesive spray, depending on the type of transfer.

When I first started several years ago I used a small T-square and an 18" ruler to double check my work but I find now that I do not need them unless the design is really tricky. You can use your hands to see if the design is centered side to side (one, two or three fingers width in from the edges), and if need be, a ruler to check that it is level top to bottom.

 

[binki]

Personally I don't try to put the transfer on the shirt while on the press. I just do it on a flat surface next to the press, hold the shirt up by the shoulders to check my work, and then press. This requires the use of a little heat tape, or Hot Tak adhesive spray, depending on the type of transfer....

use the big pad
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFxEsgWJJQM&feature=fvsr[/media]

 

[TLH41]

use the big pad
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFxEsgWJJQM&feature=fvsr[/media]

There are several reasons I do not wish to position a t-shirt transfer on the shirt while the shirt is on the press.

1) I have a swing-away press and the upper platen still gets a bit in the way at the upper right corner of the lower platen and I don't like to burn my knuckles messing with tools and the shirt much.

2) I like to make sure the upper and lower platen are pre-heated before pressing the shirt for better transferring. Taking the time to align the transfer using various t-squares and such allows the platens to cool, and you can't then re-heat them, as the shirt is already in the press.

3) You can't easily move the shirt around on the rubber platen like you can on a table, so it is a pain. I don't like teflon on the lower platen as it traps moisture which can screw up transfers and it can transfer stray ink to the next items pressed if it becomes dirty.

4) You can't double check your work visually unless you can hold the shirt up to see. Most, if not all T-shirts are sewn in such a way that not every single one is perfectly straight through the neck and shoulders. You have to take into account how the garment will sit on the body, not just the exact dimensions from sleeve to sleeve or shoulder seam down. Holding the shirt up by the shoulder seam at eye level, I can quickly adjust for any discrepancies if need be.

5) There is no substitute for a good eye. Once you learn how to visually align an image on a shirt, you can do it faster than by using a mechanical device every time. I know a great many people do position transfers on the press, and that's fine - I just never comprehended how it was any better than doing it off the press and have never seen any compelling reason to do it that way myself. I think the key is, do whatever gives you the best, fastest results with the least amount of error. For me, that is not positioning on the press.

 

[mrtoad]

Personally I don't try to put the transfer on the shirt while on the press. I just do it on a flat surface next to the press, hold the shirt up by the shoulders to check my work, and then press. This requires the use of a little heat tape, or Hot Tak adhesive spray, depending on the type of transfer.

When I first started several years ago I used a small T-square and an 18" ruler to double check my work but I find now that I do not need them unless the design is really tricky. You can use your hands to see if the design is centered side to side (one, two or three fingers width in from the edges), and if need be, a ruler to check that it is level top to bottom.

Tamara - that might work best for me, thanks. Where can I find the Hot Tak spray?

Thanks!
Mike

 

[TLH41]

Mike,
I order mine from Steve at Paramount.

Dye Sublimation Products, Blank Imprintables and Accessories - Paramount Services

You can also check to see if you have a local screen print supply shop in your area to see if they stock it. Keep the nozzle of the can clean so you don't get an uneven spray which can sometimes show up on dye sub transfers. Hope that helps!

Tamara

 

[mrtoad]

great thank you!