[Livse]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum, and also to HTV; I have been playing with this for around a year. Just a hobby, no selling

I use HTV, Chemica Hotmark vinyl, 55 micro meter, and have a heat pres. I press for 20 seconds with 157 C/315 F, cold peel and pres again for 6 seconds.

However, when I look at t-shirts from the store, the vinyl is sort of melted to the fabric, with the structure of the fabric showing through. If I follow the guidelines from the seller the vinyl sort of lay on top of the fabric, not melted into it. I have tried raising the temperature, adding to the pressure and longer time, but it still does not melt into the fabric.

The vinyl does not peel of, and it washes well without falling of. It is just because the store bought ones look different, and I think it looks more professional when the vinyl is melting into the fabric. It looks sort of plasticy when the vinyl lay on top.

I would be very happy for any input - should I see the structure of the fabric through the vinyl? Should I add much more pressure/ temperature/ time? Thanks!

 

[Livse]

Also for info: This is what the vinyl looks like after a few washes. Not peeling or falling off, but sort of.. Crackling? I washed at 40 C, nu tumbling, the directions from the manufacturer says it is stable up to washing at 80 C.

 

[Livse]

OK, having an interesting conversation with myself haha!!

I had my hubby pick up an infrared thermometer today, and - when the heat press said it was 150C/302F it was only 137C/ 279F! So I have made a table now with the actual temperature and what it corresponds to in the display Hope this helps in the future.