What kind of transfers are you using?
#2 is not critical if you have a digital temperature guage and your press is a brand name.
#2 is not critical if you have a digital temperature guage and your press is a brand name.
Just got my heat press. Last minute advice?
I just got my Heat Press yesterday via Fed-Ex and I am going to fire it up this weekend and press all of the samples I got from numerous companies. I am excited for the trial and error process and expect some frustration at first. I was wondering if anybody has some last minute advice for me? I have been doing a lot of research and this is a mental checklist I have come up with over the last month.
1. Preheat Press, bottom pad, and t-shirt before applying transfer.
2. It's a good idea to have a temp gun to check accuracy of temperature.
3. More pressure/higher temperature is better than not enough or either.
4. Some discoloration may appear on shirt but will eventually fade away.
5. Use a teflon sheet to protect the bottom pad and top platen when necessary.
6. Test product before sending to client. Stress test, wash test etc...
I hope that I am on the right track and can't wait to get going. My biggest fear is that the transfers will peel off after a wash or two but I think that if all is done correctly it will be fine (I hope).
Any advice on how to avoid that? Thanks again to everybody who has answered my questions so far. t-shirtforums.com is the best.
Jay
1. Preheat Press, bottom pad, and t-shirt before applying transfer.
2. It's a good idea to have a temp gun to check accuracy of temperature.
3. More pressure/higher temperature is better than not enough or either.
4. Some discoloration may appear on shirt but will eventually fade away.
5. Use a teflon sheet to protect the bottom pad and top platen when necessary.
6. Test product before sending to client. Stress test, wash test etc...
I hope that I am on the right track and can't wait to get going. My biggest fear is that the transfers will peel off after a wash or two but I think that if all is done correctly it will be fine (I hope).
Any advice on how to avoid that? Thanks again to everybody who has answered my questions so far. t-shirtforums.com is the best.
Jay
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
I am using plastisol transfers. I have samples from five different companies but I am most excited about the hot split transfers from transfer express.
I have a 15x15 heat press from Sunie. I know it's not the best machine but I am a beginner. Would you recommend a temp gun? Thanks.
I have a 15x15 heat press from Sunie. I know it's not the best machine but I am a beginner. Would you recommend a temp gun? Thanks.
5. Use a teflon sheet to protect the bottom pad and top platen when necessary.
i would always put one on top too
i would always put one on top too
Yes, I would recommend a temperature checker with a Sunie, although I have read a gun may not be the best option. Temperature probes are best used on metal surfaces.
Although, I wonder if you could just check the temperature of the plastisol transfer instead with a gun? Anyone?
Having a gun will be more versatile for you in the long run, especially if you screen print.
Does Transfer Express make hot split for dark garments?
Although, I wonder if you could just check the temperature of the plastisol transfer instead with a gun? Anyone?
Having a gun will be more versatile for you in the long run, especially if you screen print.
Does Transfer Express make hot split for dark garments?
Watch out for your knuckles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Haha thanks. I was wondering about that.
We use a pyrometer with our presses. Very accurate and allows you to find hot or cool spots on the press easily. We've have good luck with them.
make sure you do all the "prep work" like heating it up to temp, warming up the bottom, getting the moisture out of the t-shirt before you press it, use the right pressure and temp and time, peel it hot/cold (whatever it says), teflon sheet if your doing layers of vinyl, and most important don't get your fingers too close ! it's hot !
Make sure that you follow all instructions that come with the transfer if any and let your press heat up to the correct temp. Some people have an issue with patience when it comes to letting a press heat up. Also, you seem like you have a pretty good idea on what you have to do. Have fun and keep the aloe vera close by just in case.I just got my Heat Press yesterday via Fed-Ex and I am going to fire it up this weekend and press all of the samples I got from numerous companies. I am excited for the trial and error process and expect some frustration at first. I was wondering if anybody has some last minute advice for me? I have been doing a lot of research and this is a mental checklist I have come up with over the last month.
1. Preheat Press, bottom pad, and t-shirt before applying transfer.
2. It's a good idea to have a temp gun to check accuracy of temperature.
3. More pressure/higher temperature is better than not enough or either.
4. Some discoloration may appear on shirt but will eventually fade away.
5. Use a teflon sheet to protect the bottom pad and top platen when necessary.
6. Test product before sending to client. Stress test, wash test etc...
I hope that I am on the right track and can't wait to get going. My biggest fear is that the transfers will peel off after a wash or two but I think that if all is done correctly it will be fine (I hope).
Any advice on how to avoid that? Thanks again to everybody who has answered my questions so far. t-shirtforums.com is the best.
Jay
Oh, and something that I have learned very recently.....use a lint roller on your garment before heat pressing!!
Ahh lint roller. Good one. Thanks for all the advice people.
If you are using transfer paper (for pictures), heat your shirts 2 or 3 times - it's very important to get all the moisture and chemicals out.
Also for transfer paper, double check that you've printed on the correct side. I printed on the wrong side once and got my top plate all gummed up.
And, if you do get gummy stuff on the top plate, use a hand cleaner from the auto supply shop - be sure it is the cream, and not the gritty stuff. Warm your plate then clean with a paper towel or rag and the cleaner. It may take a few applications.
Keep craft paper on hand. If you should get something on your plate, this will protect the material.
Keep your mistakes - you can do tests on the other side.
Read the instructions on your transfers - some need to be peeled right away (hot) and others need to be peeled cold. Peel slowly - if it's sticking to the paper, you can repress.
Those rubbing things for transfers are silly - i think they are just chalk board erasers. Just use one of the sleeves (this is for cold peel transfers).
Watch the tags on the shirts - some of the "no label" prints will melt. I always slide the top of the shirt off the plate or use craft paper on top.
A teflon pillow is great. You put this inside a shirt (sweatshirt, etc.) when pressing on the back, so you don't get an uneven mark from the front collar. This is also good for something like a tote that may have an uneven surface.
Happy pressing.
Randy
Also for transfer paper, double check that you've printed on the correct side. I printed on the wrong side once and got my top plate all gummed up.
And, if you do get gummy stuff on the top plate, use a hand cleaner from the auto supply shop - be sure it is the cream, and not the gritty stuff. Warm your plate then clean with a paper towel or rag and the cleaner. It may take a few applications.
Keep craft paper on hand. If you should get something on your plate, this will protect the material.
Keep your mistakes - you can do tests on the other side.
Read the instructions on your transfers - some need to be peeled right away (hot) and others need to be peeled cold. Peel slowly - if it's sticking to the paper, you can repress.
Those rubbing things for transfers are silly - i think they are just chalk board erasers. Just use one of the sleeves (this is for cold peel transfers).
Watch the tags on the shirts - some of the "no label" prints will melt. I always slide the top of the shirt off the plate or use craft paper on top.
A teflon pillow is great. You put this inside a shirt (sweatshirt, etc.) when pressing on the back, so you don't get an uneven mark from the front collar. This is also good for something like a tote that may have an uneven surface.
Happy pressing.
Randy
I usually use a microfiber cloth to wipe the plate clean. Its soft enough that it won't scratch the surface.
Here are links to 4 of the recommendations you need for a heat press we have these for all 3 of our presses..
Teflon Wrap - 16" X 20": Colman and Company - Discount Commercial Embroidery Supplies - Machine Embroidery Supplies Catalog (bottom plate)
Digital Pyrometer & Surface Probe Kit: Colman and Company - Discount Commercial Embroidery Supplies - Machine Embroidery Supplies Catalog
DTG Release Paper: Colman and Company - Discount Commercial Embroidery Supplies - Machine Embroidery Supplies Catalog (seriously will get at least 50-60 uses per sheet) save your money and get this!! craft/parchment paper are waste these are pre-cut and last longer
Hotronix® Heat Press Accessories | Stahls' Hotronix (upper platen cover) this will save the extra step of using the Teflon sheet and will last longer...
Teflon Wrap - 16" X 20": Colman and Company - Discount Commercial Embroidery Supplies - Machine Embroidery Supplies Catalog (bottom plate)
Digital Pyrometer & Surface Probe Kit: Colman and Company - Discount Commercial Embroidery Supplies - Machine Embroidery Supplies Catalog
DTG Release Paper: Colman and Company - Discount Commercial Embroidery Supplies - Machine Embroidery Supplies Catalog (seriously will get at least 50-60 uses per sheet) save your money and get this!! craft/parchment paper are waste these are pre-cut and last longer
Hotronix® Heat Press Accessories | Stahls' Hotronix (upper platen cover) this will save the extra step of using the Teflon sheet and will last longer...
Thanks for all the great advice.
I had a chance to press samples from TransferExpresd, Versatranz, and F&M Expressions so far. They were all very nice and easy to apply. I was most impressed with the Hot Split and Goof Proof from TransferExpress. Both were very soft and easy to apply.
I washed and dried the shirts several times and all transfers from all the companies stayed on. I did notice however that when I repeatedly scratched the plastisol transfers they started to deteriorate or "flake" off. Is this something I should worry about? With normal wear I don't think the transfer would ever be subject to such stress. What do you think?
Thanks again.
I had a chance to press samples from TransferExpresd, Versatranz, and F&M Expressions so far. They were all very nice and easy to apply. I was most impressed with the Hot Split and Goof Proof from TransferExpress. Both were very soft and easy to apply.
I washed and dried the shirts several times and all transfers from all the companies stayed on. I did notice however that when I repeatedly scratched the plastisol transfers they started to deteriorate or "flake" off. Is this something I should worry about? With normal wear I don't think the transfer would ever be subject to such stress. What do you think?
Thanks again.
Also, could the scratching problem be due to not enough heat or pressure? Like I said, everything seemed to go smooth and overall I am happy with the quality, but will a higher temp or even more pressure solve this problem or will they always crumble off when vigorously scratched?
one of the hints I have been seeing a lot about is to fold your shirt in half (length wise) and give it a quick press this will give you a good center point on the shirt.
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
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