[karlking85]

Thanks Rodney. I am so new to the terminology of transfers, I feel a little silly. Actually, the next morning after I asked that question, I found out the transfers we use in the store I run right now are mostly plastisol. Oh well, no such thing as a stupid question, right?? lol

 

[jlw775]

hey i bought myself a heat press and now i need someone to help me learn how to get pictures off my computer and how and what i need to print them please somene help

 

[gmille39]

hey i bought myself a heat press and now i need someone to help me learn how to get pictures off my computer and how and what i need to print them please somene help

You need to get some good transfer paper and a printer using pigment inks. Most of us use Epson printers.
Do you have a graphics program like CorelDraw?

 

[jlw775]

how do i start now that i bought my heat press and know nothing about all this

 

[gmille39]

how do i start now that i bought my heat press and know nothing about all this

Here's a checklist of things you need.

computer
graphics software- I use CorelDraw X3
printer w/pigment ink. Epson C88 or C120 is a good start for around $80-$90.
paper- I like Jet Pro Sofstretch paper.

 

[jlw775]

thanks so much i see there are still some folks who will help in the world today

 

[gmille39]

thanks so much i see there are still some folks who will help in the world today

We are all here to help. Let us know what else you need help with.

 

[badalou]

thanks so much i see there are still some folks who will help in the world today

If you haven't already you may want to check out my series of videos on youtube. YouTube - badalou's Channel I cover a lot of what you want.

 

[Silverwind1953]

Does anyone know anything about Black Magic heat presses - I have seen them listed on ebay - I was wondering if they are any good? I am new to this-Thanks

 

[LABELSTONE]

I have been toying with the idea of getting a heat press to do ceramic tiles. At the moment I decoupage my designs on the tiles and understand that sublimation is much better! Can anyone recommend a good starter press as well as a place to get good reasonable tiles?
Thanks!

 

[Rodney]

I have been toying with the idea of getting a heat press to do ceramic tiles. At the moment I decoupage my designs on the tiles and understand that sublimation is much better! Can anyone recommend a good starter press as well as a place to get good reasonable tiles?
Thanks!

There are some tips on which heat press to buy here: http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-crossover-diary-heat-press-newbie/t9682.html

 

[chipolaink]

I have a Hotronix 16X20 and love it. I've read that it has fewer cold spots for more even heating.

Glad to hear it because I just bought one, the 16X20 auto clam.

 

[huprinting]

What type of cutter should I buy/use to cut the image from the transfer paper and what are the price ranges?

 

[chipolaink]

I just bought a Hotronix AutoClam to supplement our screenprinting business by being able to personalize printed garments with names and numbers. I've used it on a few jobs and love it. Easy to use; relatively low investment.

Have also used it on very short runs with custom transfers. Saves us time in the shop because we don't have the screen set up time for a very short run (less than 24).

I've gotten transfers from Transfer Express. Good quality but a little pricey. Is there anything out there that will give me comparable quality at a lower cost?

 

[wormil]

I've gotten transfers from Transfer Express. Good quality but a little pricey. Is there anything out there that will give me comparable quality at a lower cost?

With a few minor exceptions, everybody. Transfer Express is the most expensive transfer maker by a large margin (except for ENV), anywhere from 2.5-4X the price of other quality printers.

If you aren't in a hurry, First Edition is the least expensive. Dowling is also inexpensive but slow. Ace is not too expensive for basic transfers but their pricing matrix is complex and they have hefty ganging charges which put them among the most expensive. Ace does not do 4 color process. F&M is inexpensive and fairly quick, they also offer 4 color process. Versatranz is very quick but a little more expensive (but still less than TE). I chose F&M as my standard, with Versatranz as a backup for quick turnarounds and Universal for my digital transfers.

There are other transfer makers out there but I am less familiar with them... like Howard and KE.

 

[miketan22]

Hi i finally got my heat press machine and was trying to make some tshirts and i encountered this problem:

when trying to peel of the paper after heat press, parts of the design remained in the paper? what did i do wrong? is it the temperature, or the time i used in pressing?

I used 392 degrees F and 6 seconds...

 

[wormil]

I used 392 degrees F and 6 seconds...

What kind of transfers, what kind of press?

392 for 6 seconds seems like an odd combination. The time is about right for plastisol but the temperature seems on the high side.

 

[Solmu]

392 for 6 seconds seems like an odd combination. The time is about right for plastisol but the temperature seems on the high side.

(emphasis added)

Agreed; I was thinking the temperature sounded about right for dye sublimation, but the time was on the low side.

 

[miketan22]

What kind of transfers, what kind of press?

392 for 6 seconds seems like an odd combination. The time is about right for plastisol but the temperature seems on the high side.

its an unbranded manual heat press machine and im trying to transfer this precut stickers/ designs that i got online (thompsontransfers).

Thank you so much for your help...

 

[wormil]

Try pressing then rotating the shirt then pressing again. Maybe the press has cool spots in the platen.