Ink doesn't seem to be adhering to transfer paper ?

1526 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Joto Paper, Jun 28, 2010

Stoney1

Discussion Starter · Jun 27, 2010

Howdy guys
Stoney 1 here AGAIN ? I looked over as many threads as I had time for before I posted this one.. I seem to be having some difficulties with my ink and paper. I'm using Gold Seal paper for lights. Not necessarily my first choice, but I bought it before I signed on to the T-Shirt Forum ? Anyway, I'm using a standard HP Ink-jet printer, model Office Jet J4580 and off the shelf carts. Here's my problem. I print my transfer and let it set for a few minutes before I trim, as I start to trim I notice that the ink seems to be more like " powder " than ink ? If I touch the ink at all, I can rub it off just as though it were a powder, NOT a liquid. Also, as I trim with my Xacto knife, the ink where I trim seems to flake off all along the cut ? I use a Black border all around the logo that I print on our band tees, and the whole edge has a fine White edge where the Black ink is flaked off from the pressure of the blade ? I'm not sure what the heck is up ?? I'm not doing this for a living, just for about 50 tees for our Summer playing season,. but I sure don't want to sell inferior tees ! That's a great way to lose fans and customers.. Anything anyone can tell me would be appreciated .
Stoney

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splathead

· #2 · Jun 28, 2010

You do have to be careful with some papers as the ink on the transfers will flake when dry. That's just the nature of transfers.

Do a test press of an uncut transfer just to make sure the image will transfer correctly on to a garment. If it does, then you will have to be extra careful on your weeding, or press without weeding, or buy a paper where weeding isn't required.

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Stoney1

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 28, 2010

Thanks Joe
I really can use the help ! First.. what the heck is weeding ??? Outside of gardening, I'm lost ? Second, if weeding is good, then where can I get some of this paper that" weeds " itself ?
Best regards:
Dave

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CustomHorror

· #4 · Jun 28, 2010

Stoney1 said:
Thanks Joe
I really can use the help ! First.. what the heck is weeding ??? Outside of gardening, I'm lost ? Second, if weeding is good, then where can I get some of this paper that" weeds " itself ?
Best regards:
Dave

Interrested in an explenation of weeding as well

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splathead

· #5 · Jun 28, 2010

Cutting out the unprinted (white) areas of your transfer is commonly referred to as weeding.

Think of your printed transfer as a garden. The images are your flowers. The white areas are weeds.

Dave, what color shirts are you printing on?

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Stoney1

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 28, 2010 (Edited)

Thanks Joe
I appreciate the help... Now, can you tell me what brand/type of paper is " Self Weeding? " And can I use it on a home Ink Jet printer ? I missed the color question. Mostly medium to light colors? Greens, Yellows, Blues ( Light Blues ) Reds, and occasionally a Black or dark Red. I'm not sure where the " line " gets drawn as to what constitutes Light or Dark ??
Dave
PS: You are.... DA MAN !!!!!

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splathead

· #7 · Jun 28, 2010

From a general standpoint, anything your shirt supplier considers light from their pricing standpoint is considered light from a transfer standpoint. So yellows, light blues, light greens are lights. Reds, blacks, dark greens are darks.

Other than whites, you will almost certainly have to trim away the white before pressing. Otherwise, as you have most certainly already found out, a polymer window will show up on the shirt after pressing.

Dark garments require transfers made specifically for darks. You are essentially printing on a white opaque layer of film then transferring the image to the garment. They also require weeding to get rid of white space.

Arguably, the best paper for lights is Jet Pro Soft Stretch. Not sure for darks, I heard Alpha Gold is good. Maybe someone else can chime in on this.

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Joto Paper

· #8 · Jun 28, 2010

With printing light colors on light transfer papers, the polymer window on the white portions of the design vary quite significantly. A high quality inkjet transfer paper will leave virtually none, whereas a low quality one will make it quite visible. Test different light transfer papers to see which one you like best for light colors.

For dark transfer papers, different brands will give you different results. Some brands will leave a very visible white edge after weeding, while others will not. Same for darks, test different brands to see which one your customers will like.

Unfortunately, I am not aware of any self trim paper for inkjet printers. If you have a laser printer, you can get self trim laser paper for lights and darks.

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