[Robinhood28]

Hello! I'm in the process of starting a tshirt company and I bought a new $300 16 x 20 heat press a few months ago. I got the plastisol transfers in the mail and started testing them out on my blank tees. However, the transfers weren't transferring properly and I can't figure out why. The designs have arrows in them and the points of the arrows dont seem to be sticking to the clothing. I'm also having trouble with certain curves not sticking when i peel the paper off the shirt. I've tried turning up the recommended temperature, strengthening the press, and waiting longer periods of time in order to get it to work, but no luck. Any advice is worth listening to at this point. I'm not sure what to do now.

 

[splathead]

It could be cold spots on your heat press. Do you have some way to measure the temp on your platen?

 

[Robinhood28]

No I haven't. What would I use to do that? Is it something I could purchase at Home Depot?

 

[splathead]

The best thing to use is a probe like this RPK-PYRMTR - Digital Pyrometer & Surface Probe Kit - Geo Knight & Co Inc

A quick, less scientific way is to sacrifice a few of your transfers and press separate ones on different areas of your press. If the arrows then press correctly, it's an indication of cold spots.

If that's not it, provide us full details on times/temperatures, transfer maker, type of shirt, etc.

Transfers have also been know to be bad from the supplier from time to time. Give them a call for advice too.

 

[into the T]

you could try paper temp strips
check furnace/hvac type places

then put a half dozen in different spots on your bottom platen

 

[DrivingZiggy]

you could try paper temp strips

$15.50 from Stahls.

 

[proworlded]

What transfers are you trying to apply? Also, was the press advertised as a 'sublimation' heat press?

 

[danversatrans]

No I haven't. What would I use to do that? Is it something I could purchase at Home Depot?

Here is a home depot one that i have used and have had no issues with it


PRO-SERIES Non Contact Infrared Thermometer with Laser Sighting, 12:1 Spot-THERMNC - The Home Depot

 

[into the T]

the problem with the infrared is if you have a shiny platen the reading will be off,
whereas temp strips will be unaffected

 

[Robinhood28]

I bought the temperature gun and adjusted the temperature accordingly. Then i applied more pressure than before and it Worked! Thank you so much!