[Skifledanabit]

Just started, so I know I'm not going to get it right straight off the bat, but I'm hoping you guys can give me pointers as to where I am going wrong.

I got this heat press... http://www.victorydesign.co.uk/prod...heatpress-swing-head-16-20/product_id/epswing

set it at 150 degress C (just over 315F) for 12 seconds as per vinyl suppliers instructions. [media]http://www.mdpsupplies.co.uk/datasheets/garmentfilmsettings.pdf[/media]

I'm using the standard flex stuff, but after I let it cool, the vinyl just doesn't seem to stick properly to the garment, bits of it do, but the edges and smaller bits of the design peel back with the backing tape.

now, do I put it at a higher heat, leave it for longer, press it again after I've peeled the backing tape off?

any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[InkThreadable]

Try upping your temp to around 180 and pressing for approx 15 secs.
I know different brands of vinyl have different settings but I used to use them settings with most of my vinyl and never really had trouble.

Get a damaged TShirt or scarp material and try it with small pieces of vinyl around the TShirt using different settings

 

[Skifledanabit]

ok, tried 180 for 15 seconds... far too much, may work on larger images but the smaller ones just distorted.

 

[Joto Paper]

Try heavier pressure.

Also most vinyl can be repressed if a corner has come off.

Try to change the temperature or the time, not both. That way you can isolate whether it is too hot or just needs a little bit more dwell time.

 

[Skifledanabit]

I've done it at 150C for 15 seconds... that seems to be the right amount!

If i were to press onto High Visibility clothing, would I need to adjust the settings at all or will it work the same without melting them?

 

[aspliz]

preheat preheat preheat platen first, then garment, that may be part of the problem

 

[20vK]

I read you can briefly pre-press the garment first to remove any moisture that can interfere with adhesion.

Richie

 

[aspliz]

I don't know about every transfer out there and just read on here about trouble with peel first
dark transfer paper if you preheat to much but I preheat the platen (when first starting the job, 3-4 times) and the garment 1 time, to get every bit of moisture out. It is the heat the makes it adhere and
all the presses I've used are top heat only, which means the bottom is cold when you start. I preheat for every transfer type I've used for the 20
years I've been in business. Now I am curious as to what others are doing but it is something to try.

 

[Skifledanabit]

Ok, did a tshirt and it came out really well, it got washed and the vinyl fell off.

Do I need a teflon sheet between the bare metal upper platen and the vinyl I'm pressing?

I'm not sure where I'm going wrong, but it doesn't look like the vinyl is "melting" into the garments at all.

I'm also guessing that smaller designs need less press time than large designs.

 

[Badgers]

It sounds like the adhesive on the vinyl isn't being heated up enough to bond properly to the garment.

Also, how much pressure are you using to apply the vinyl?

If the pressure is ok, I would look at getting an infrared thermometer (heat gun) and find out how accurate the temperature is.


Hope this helps!

Alan

 

[mozzer93]

Are you letting the press reach maximum temp? it usually takes my press a good half hour to properly heat.

 

[Skifledanabit]

Right, it turns out I was just being thick, I didn't realise you needed to provide downwards pressure as well, I was letting gravity and the weight of the top platen etc do it... yeah... I know... its working now though.