[Silhouette]

Ahoy Everyone!

I have been successfully printing my tees for a while now - just friends/family etc - but they are all well chuffed!

But I came to do a baby creeper the other day - and ive just got a tee to print - but the label is stitched into the back of the neck on the actual garment (not in the neck seem line thing)

So on the reverse of the shirt you have an oblong stitch pattern... This is exactly where my LOGO usually sits on the tee.

So for my baby creeper/romper/onesie (buttons/seems) and this (seem/stich) I need to print next to it - but because the buttons etc are raised - I need to still print crisply - and the heat press isnt going to reach my design.

I have heard of Teflon Cushions/Pillows - but they look to be only available in the US and cost £30+ for the sake of a sheet of it? Is there anything I can do? Anything it wedge in there that works just as well? A folded Tee or something? A folded up piece of the teflon sheet?

What are my options for printing nicely when I have raised areas around my design.

Many thanks in advance everyone!

 

[ayukish]

Jason,

Teflon Pillows and Print Perfect Pads were made because they are what will work best for your application. You can try the folded up tee and the other things you mentioned but they won't work as well and you may end up ruining your garment.

 

[Twanabee]

In a pinch you can cut a mouse pad to the size you need and if you need thicker just double or triple it. Will work for a few times.

 

[Silhouette]

Does it have to be a rubber mouse mat or one of those tough looking silicone things?

If Perfect Pads/Teflon Pillows are the way forward... and I *have* to get them if I need to do the job 100% right first time (I dont like the sound of messing around and 'winging' it)

Where can I get them from in the UK... and I dont want to pay no £50 per 4x6 square - thats just crazy!

 

[Twanabee]

On this side of the pond we call them refractorys. These are companies that sell heat resistant materials. Look them up. You can purchase silicone material that will withstand up to 1100F and they will cut it for you as it's expensive. It will last you forever. Comes in different thicknesses also.

 

[Silhouette]

On this side of the pond we call them refractorys. These are companies that sell heat resistant materials. Look them up. You can purchase silicone material that will withstand up to 1100F and they will cut it for you as it's expensive. It will last you forever. Comes in different thicknesses also.

Brilliant - that sounds like just the ticket!

So companies that are "refractories" and I want silicone cut to shape. What sort of thickness is best worked with? Obviously - I could do with it being quite thick... what the consensus on thickness? 1cm? Less?

Can you give me a ball park price for what I should be paying for a tee shirts worth - just so when I ring up - I dont get my pants pulled down.

Many thanks,

 

[Silhouette]

Is this along the right path?

MULTI PURPOSE SILICONE LINER heat resistant to 260c new on eBay (end time 06-Aug-10 20:01:57 BST)

 

[Twanabee]

That is for baking and not thick enough for what you want to do. I recommend a thickness of about 1/2 inch. If you find a supply house that sells refractorys, they may even have some scrap pieces that you can use. Over here, a 4 x 6 foot piece of 1/2 inch thick silicone will cost 250 dollars but I was able to get a 1 foot square scrap piece for 20 bucks. I cut it to the sizes that I need like a 6 x 6 inches for over the pocket of a polo shirt. Google heat resistant material supply and see what comes up around you.

 

[Silhouette]

Nope - no luck.

Every firm or outlet I tried for this sort of stuff came back as a No.

It just doesnt seem to be available for a non-rip-off price in the UK.

Failing that - whats the best way around seems (shall I just fold a blank tee and pop it through the neck of the tee im printing?)

 

[Twanabee]

Purchase a couple of inexpensive mouse pads. Cut them to your size and double or triple if needed. This will work. usualy mouse pads are about 1/4" (6.35mm) thick. Like I said before. They won't last long but you will be able to get your job done.

 

[Silhouette]

How do you mean “Wont last long” are they going to melt – or just get thinner?

Should I be getting the rubbery mats as apposed to the plastic’y type?

The big rubber mat thing that lays like a slab on the bottom of the press feels like a thicker mousepad – if I can get a spare one of these – would that work?

If I can just get some solid rubber cut to shape… Could I use those? Perhaps with some greaseproof paper slipped in or something… stop melting/sticking.

 

[Twanabee]

The mat on the bottom platten of your HP is silicone. Get the "rubbery" ones. They will last quite a while. At least 50 or so shirts then they will start to curl and get thinner. They will not do anything to the shirt. Make sure you get them with no printing on them. They will not melt or stick but if you want to be insured, put a piece of parchment or baking paper between the shirt and the mouse pad. I use them all the time on small areas for short runs.

 

[Silhouette]

Would something like this work?

silicone sheet white 4mm thick x180mm x 180mm on eBay (end time 05-Sep-10 15:45:46 BST)

Or should I go for Mouse mats - which look marginally thicker.

If I can "name my thickness" should I go for something thicker?

If it lasts 50 tee's then that should do quite nicely

 

[Tdecorator]

Hi, I think you should check these machines: Membrane heat-presses you can use them to heatpress close , or even on seams, close to zips and buttons. I have 2 machines from them and it really works. Quality is excellent