[StmbtSpecialties]

New to HTV, I have a GeoKnight Heatpress & Graphtech Plotter.

I've been using mostly Siser Easy Weed on cotton garments.

I've done a few items and sent them with clients (understanding and helpful clients who can provide feedback) and they have said that parts of the HTV is separating from the garment even before washing...

Is there a thing as too much pressure with HTV?
Or too much heat/dwell time when pressing?
I'm following the directions for the HTV but something still is a miss.

Looking for some educated advice to ensure HTV longevity & complete adhesion on garments etc.

 

[pippin decals]

Usually not enough pressure or heat can cause this .Where did you get the pressure etc specs from?

Click the link i shared for specs sheet.


Also your heat press could be off on temp as well. I use a hotronix fusion 16x20 and used a Temp gun and temp pads to make sure mine wasnt off when i first got it new, it was off by 15 degress.

[media]http://www.uscutter.com/static/PDFs/SiserHeatTransferChart.pdf[/media]

 

[StmbtSpecialties]

I used the Siser specs,
but will also take a temp gun to press, so what I'm looking for is the bottom platen and top to match 305F right?
If they don't how can I calibrate the heat to be more accurate?

thanks for that spec sheet too!

 

[pippin decals]

I used the Siser specs,
but will also take a temp gun to press, so what I'm looking for is the bottom platen and top to match 305F right?
If they don't how can I calibrate the heat to be more accurate?

thanks for that spec sheet too!

I dont know what press you have,but mine only heats on the top. So i put my press at lets say 300* and swing it out so i can lay on the floor under it . I take the temp gun and hit a few areas all over the platen to see what my temp is. If its lower or higher i can adjust it manually with in my digital display in user settings area on my press. But thats for my heatpress Hotronix Fusion.

 

[Amw]

New to HTV, I have a GeoKnight Heatpress & Graphtech Plotter.

I've been using mostly Siser Easy Weed on cotton garments.

I've done a few items and sent them with clients (understanding and helpful clients who can provide feedback) and they have said that parts of the HTV is separating from the garment even before washing...

Is there a thing as too much pressure with HTV?
Or too much heat/dwell time when pressing?
I'm following the directions for the HTV but something still is a miss.

Looking for some educated advice to ensure HTV longevity & complete adhesion on garments etc.

Do you have a top and bottom heat press?
Assuming you dont, as it is much more expensive and not very common currently. You do NOT need to have the bottom platen heated to the same temp as the top.
There is a such thing as too much pressure, but unless your standing on the handle to get it to close...you are probably OK.

For testing temperatures of your platen(s) this is what you should use. The little temp guns you shot at the platen are not anywhere near accurate as this. http://www.heatpress.net/pdf/DK Pyrometer RPK Kit.pdf


For siser htv check the specks at EasyWeed® | Siser North America and be sure you are using the correct time, temp, and pressure.

Also dont forget to pre press the shirt...in our testing this does make a difference in the durability. Some shirts have been treated with chemicals to resist stains, etc. So be sure your using shirts intended to be decorated.

Which geo knight press do you have?
(I can offer some tips for it)

 

[StmbtSpecialties]

I have the DK 20S
I did just chat with tech over at GeoKnight and have some info on heat calibrating that I'll do.
But any info/advice on the DK20s would be much appreciated.
I have a feeling it might be pressure related, and the pressure readout seems vaguely accurate at best, but this is a very new machine and process for me so any help is helpful!

 

[Amw]

I have the DK 20S
I did just chat with tech over at GeoKnight and have some info on heat calibrating that I'll do.
But any info/advice on the DK20s would be much appreciated.
I have a feeling it might be pressure related, and the pressure readout seems vaguely accurate at best, but this is a very new machine and process for me so any help is helpful!

That is a great press, and great company to work with.

It will take some time but you want to learn to know what the pressure is based on how it feels. The pressure gauge is not the best, they end up being off and eventually not working correctly. We ignore the read out on the ones that still have it. I am probably one of geo knights biggest fans and I will say that is the 1 thing that is not the best on the press...but that is the only thing. You can replace it but we dont find a need to. They are built like tanks in every other way.

For that press I would expect you to use 2 hands to close it but not having to "throw your weight into it" to close it all the way. You should hear a "ka thunk" sound when its closed. The gauge will help when your learning. We teach new employees on them to just go by feel and they usually have it down pat in 1 to 2 shifts.

This is a maintenance video...for the most part the lube is the only thing you really need to worry about... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn23u9QlzOg

If I think of anything else I will add it later.
If you ever have any specific questions let me know and I will do my best to help you out.

 

[mfatty500]

First off, where did you buy the shirts?

 

[joleady]

That is a great press, and great company to work with.

It will take some time but you want to learn to know what the pressure is based on how it feels. The pressure gauge is not the best, they end up being off and eventually not working correctly. We ignore the read out on the ones that still have it. I am probably one of geo knights biggest fans and I will say that is the 1 thing that is not the best on the press...but that is the only thing. You can replace it but we dont find a need to. They are built like tanks in every other way.

For that press I would expect you to use 2 hands to close it but not having to "throw your weight into it" to close it all the way. You should hear a "ka thunk" sound when its closed. The gauge will help when your learning. We teach new employees on them to just go by feel and they usually have it down pat in 1 to 2 shifts.

This is a maintenance video...for the most part the lube is the only thing you really need to worry about... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn23u9QlzOg

If I think of anything else I will add it later.
If you ever have any specific questions let me know and I will do my best to help you out.

Just the info I was looking for. I have been avoiding using my DC16 because of the huge amount of effort it took to close to get the pressure bar graph anywhere near the 4-6 for medium pressure as per the manual. I was starting to wonder about the accuracy since the readings also vary quite a bit.