[Sweatlife]

Hello! I am new to this site and I was looking for some info regarding heat press. I have burnout tanks and I ordered transfers from FM EXPRESSIONS (I now heard they were horrible quality) well I followed their exact instructions and they said 7 seconds, however 7 seconds was not enough! It barely stuck to the shirt and started cracking... Now I'm up to about 20 seconds and it looks better but I think their quality is just bad! So it still over time lifts up in some areas.. What is the best way to do this heat press? Any recommended company's with better quality?? I'm trying to do this low cost but decent quality... Also they charge 20$ every time I just want a different design! Any comments would be greatly appreciated !!

I also am wondering if it's better for me to design these designs on my own and use photoshop?

 

[Skinbus]

I'm not certain what process you're using. Is it strictly transfer paper or a something else? As for designs, anything you can do yourself will save you $$$$$. Also, are you familiar with photoshop or any other graphics programs? If not, you'll have a great deal of work to do to learn how to use the programs.

 

[Sweatlife]

They are transfers with the print on them. 35 cents a piece with 20$ set up fee for EACH print.. Just wondering what a good quality company is out there and not a rip off... I have a lot of designs and want them all made but it seems like it will cost an arm and a leg to get them all.. And like I said with my fm expressions they are crackin and I following the instructions.. 325 degrees I believe or could be 350.. Anyways not looking great! And no I don't have a ton of experience with photo shop :/

 

[Skinbus]

You're buying the transfers with the design already on the paper when you get them? Sounds like you're buying screen printed transfers. I only use transfers I make for myself. I've never used screened transfers so I don't know the application process. The transfers I use are done 350-30 sec. Medium pressure. If you have an old t-shirt, cut it into pieces & try it at 350-30 sec. & see if it makes a difference.

 

[Grant Hill]

I have used, and currently still am, F&M. Like you I have heard many bad stories about their quality, but I have yet to have any problems with them. If you compare their pricing with others for a single color, single design- they cant be beat. They have a no minimum, thats why you pay the setup. Others do not have the setup, but you pay a higher price, which drops as your quantity rises.

Now I cant dispute what others are saying, Im sure their experience are valid, just saying I have had only good experiences up to now. If that changes, I will let you know, as I am expecting 400 pcs. delivered tomorrow (4 designs, 100pcs. each).

Make sure that the garment is 100% Polyester, 100% Cotton or a Cotton-Polyester blend, and that you are using a firm pressure. Pre press, and if using a cover sheet, add a little more time to the press. I would also recommend you try a transfer on a regular t-shirt. Use and old shirt and cut up a transfer into sections and get the time/temp/pressure setting to work to rule out any garment questions. The burnout shirt may not have enough fiber left on it in order for the ink to transfer well into it, causing it to fail, but thats just an opinion.

Please let us know what you find out, and what you did to solve it. BTW, have you tried calling F&M for support?

 

[engraver99]

I have also used FM for 1 color print jobs on Gildan 50-50 shirts with no problems. Perhaps you can generate a picture of what you are talking about.