Jim Hingst explains the procedures for printing, cutting and masking printable heat transfer films...
The Indian Motorcycle applique was printed with an HP latex inkjet printer.
If you have a solvent, ecosolvent or latex
inkjet printer, you can decorate t-shirts, jackets and jerseys with colorful
graphics and corporate logos using SEFTatoo™, printable polyurethane heat
transfer films. Selling printed
appliques to your existing customer base is a great way to increase your shop’s
sales at high profit margins without a lot of effort. The manufacturing process is not very
complicated, so there is not much to learn. And the only additional equipment
that you will need for your shop is a heat press. (If you don’t own a heat
press, you should read my story:
Shopping for a Heat Press.)
Tatoo™ films are our most popular printable
heat press films. While the Tatoo™ brand is comprised of several different
products, the basic construction for all of these films is the same. Tatoo™ consists of a printable white film coated with a heat-activated adhesive on a
clear polyester carrier. This product
construction is very similar to printable pressure-sensitive vinyl media. The
adhesives are different. And Tatoo™ uses a clear film carrier not a siliconized
paper release liner.
Printable
Polyurethane versus Vinyl.
Tatoo is polyurethane not a vinyl. It's also not a "polyurethane-based" film, which is code for a polyurethane blended with vinyl. Polyurethane is a much better grade of
material. It will hold up in the laundry much longer, whereas vinyl can crack
after a few washes. Polyurethane is also much thinner, so the Tatoo applique
won’t feel like wearing a plastic placard. Polyurethane is also more
stretchable. When the garment stretches, the polyurethane applique will stretch
with it. That’s an especially important feature for any applications to the
stretchable performance fabrics. All the way around, the Tatoo™ is a better
product.
After you design your graphics, always
perform a test cut prior to production.
Tatoo™
films are very easy to cut and weed. You will probably need to
make a few minor adjustments, such as downforce pressure and cutting speed. For
more information on plotter cutting polyurethane heat transfer films, read the
article:
Plotter Cutting Heat Transfer Films. In checking the test cut, the blade should only very
lightly score the polyester film carrier.
If you can feel where the blade has cut into the carrier on the backside
of the film, you have cut too deeply.
Digital Printing Tips.
When digitally printing Tatoo heat transfer polyurethane films, a generic ‘heat transfer media’ profile will generally provide acceptable color reproduction. Make sure that you print on the polyurethane film and not on the polyester carrier. Both sides of the film are very similar in appearance. The polyurethane side of the films has a matte finish. The carrier has a smoother finish. If you are still confused which side is which, scrape a corner of the film with an Xacto® blade. The white polyurethane film is very thin and stretchable. The thicker polyester carrier is clear and will not stretch at all. Also when you are printing on the film, print “right reading”.
Some
ink systems take a while to dry completely. While a print may feel dry to the
touch, any ink may take can take an additional ten minutes to a half hour to
fully outgas. If the ink does not cure
completely, the masking used to transfer the applique may not stick
sufficiently.
Weeding and Masking.
After printing and cutting your graphics, weed or remove the excess material from around the printed design. Then, mask the printed graphic using a medium tack hot mask transfer tape. While many sign makers have used paper application tape to transfer printed heat transfer appliques, you are much better off using the right product for the application. The problem that I have with using paper application tape is that it is paper. And paper can tear, especially on larger appliques. This can slow down production.
To mask the printed Tatoo films, we have
developed a high tack transfer tape called HM375 HotMask™. Before masking a printed applique, remember to allow thirty minutes for the print to dry.This waiting period is important, especially with ecosolvent inks, which can take a while to cure. Then lightly squeegee the masking over the
top of the printed graphic to removing the large air bubbles. Many people find
it easier to begin squeegeeing the masking from the center and working their
way outwards. After the masking is
initially secured, resqueegee the masking with firm pressure. Place the masked
graphic to the side and allow the adhesion to build for fifteen to thirty
minutes.
In most cases, you will print several
appliques on the same sheet. After the printed graphic is masked, you can cut
the sheet apart to separate the individual appliques. You can leave the masking
on the graphic in storage until you are ready to apply the appliques to
garment. After the adhesive builds to the
optimal adhesion, it will not continue to build.
Time, Temperature and Pressure.
Heating pressing appliques is not rocket science. It does, however, require than you read the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the heat transfer material. Products from different manufacturers or different product series from the same manufacturer will heat press at different temperatures for different amounts of time at different pressure settings. I also recommend that you read my story Pressing Heat Transfer Films.
The
Tatoo printable polyurethane films are available in four versions: Tatoo, Tatoo Nylon for
nylon and coated fabrics, Tatoo
SubliBlock with an
anti-migration layer, and Tatoo
Pearl, which is a beautiful
pearlescent white. Tatoo and Tatoo Pearl
heat press at 330°F (165°C) for 17 seconds at medium to high
pressure. Tatoo Nylon heat presses at
240°F (115°C) for 15 seconds at medium to high pressure. Tatoo SubliBlock heat presses at 240°F
(115°C) for 17 seconds at medium to high pressure.
Every
product is different. Read the manufacturer’s instructions before heat pressing
appliques. Set the controls on the heat to the recommended settings.
Pre-press procedure.
Before heat pressing an applique to a shirt, always pre-press the garment. Pre-pressing the garment drives out any moisture in the fabric. The pre-pressing will also cause the fabric to pre-shrink. It’s better that if the garment shrinks, it shrinks before you apply the graphic. Most importantly, pre-pressing presses out any wrinkles, so you have a smooth surface to work on. Wrinkles in the fabric can result in wrinkles in the applied graphic.Transferring Printed Heat Transfer Films.
To transfer the printed graphic from the
carrier, turn the masked applique over so the carrier is on the top. Then
remove the carrier from the graphic, rather than trying to lift the graphic off
of the carrier with the masking.
Heat Pressing.
After positioning the graphic on the garment, press the applique at the time, temperature and pressure, specified by the manufacturer. During the heat press process the Hotmask™ protects the surface of printed heat transfer material from heat related discoloration or any other damage. The polyester (PET) film of the HotMask™ withstands heat cycles as long as 60 seconds at 166°C (330° F).Removal of the HotMask™.
After heat pressing, remove the graphic from the heat press and wait three to five seconds before removing the masking. With a warm removal, HotMask™ should come off cleanly and easily with no adhesive residue. The masking will also remove in a cold peel, but it removes easier warm. Whether you remove the masking warm or cold, it removes in one piece, not in little bits and pieces, so you can use it over and over again. I have used it as many as six times.
HotMask™
removes easily in a warm peel. It can also be removed cold.
Garment Care.
If you clean garments decorated with heat transfer films according to the manufacturer’s instructions, printed polyurethane appliques should last the life of the garment. You cannot control how your customers will care for the products that you deliver to them. The best you can do is to provide them with some guidance. Caring for Garments with Heat Transfers explains the dos and don’ts when of washing and drying.About Heat Press Machines for Heat Transfer Vinyl
Selling heat transfer appliques to your existing customer base is a great way to increase your shop’s sales at high profit margins without a lot of effort. The manufacturing process is not very complicated, so there is not much to learn. What you will need is a good heat press machine. Hotronix is one of the best brands on the market. Here are some of their best selling models:
Selling heat transfer appliques to your existing customer base is a great way to increase your shop’s sales at high profit margins without a lot of effort. The manufacturing process is not very complicated, so there is not much to learn. What you will need is a good heat press machine. Hotronix is one of the best brands on the market. Here are some of their best selling models:
Hotronix Hover 16x20" Heat Press Auto Open - Heat Transfer Press Machine
Features of the Hotronix Hover 16” x 20" Heat Press
Machine:
● Heavy-duty professional grade machine with proven
performance.
● Opens automatically. This prevents scorching of heat
transfer films.
● Opens wide providing safe and easy layout and removal of
garments.
● Easy to read digital display.
● Clamshell design saves space.
● Easy to use.
● Made in the U.S.A.
Hotronix Fusion Heat Press 16" x 20"
The Hotronix Fusion 16" x 20" Heat Transfer Press
provides the following features:
● Large 16" X 20" heat platen accommodates most
garments.
● Modern, easy-to-read digital display for time, temperature
and pressure.
● Durable, scratch resistant powder coat finish.
● Easy to operate. Require minimal training.
● Heavy-duty construction for reliable performance.
● Energy-saving sleep mode.
● Made in the U.S.A.
Hotronix Air Fusion 16"x20"
● Heavy-duty version of the FUSION® Heat Press is designed
for high volume work.
● Powered by an air compressor. Pneumatic regulator which
auto-adjusts pressure.
● High-tech power with hands-free auto-swing for superior
ease of use.
● Touch screen controller.
● 16"x20".
Hotronix MAXX Cap Heat Press
Hotronix MAXX Cap Heat Press 3.5" x 6" provides
the following features:
● Easy-to-read digital time and temperature display.
● Consistent heat and pressure from edge-to-edge.
● Coated non-stick heat platen.
● Lightweight and portable for mobile heat printing.
● Interchangeable platens available.
ARTICLES ABOUT HEAT TRANSFER FILMS
Laminating Application Tape and Hot Mask Films
Stretching Garments Prior to Heat Pressing
The Differences Between Polyurethane and Vinyl Films
Printing Tatoo with Seiko Fluorescent Inks
Reflective Heat Transfer Films
SEF Heat Transfer Films Instructions
Introducing Tatoo Printable Heat Transfer Films
HotMask Polyester Transfer Tapes
Correcting Plotter Cutting Problems When Cutting H...
Which Films Stick to Coated Fabrics?
The Difference between FlexCut Sticky and FlexCut ...
Heat Transfer Films Product Application Chart
Rules for Overlaying Heat Transfer Films
Comparing Heat Transfer Films with Screen Printed ...
Peel Recommendations for Heat Transfer Films
Heat Pressing Appliques on Leather
Plotter Cutting Heat Transfer Films
Cutting & Weeding Tips for Heat Transfer Films
The Trouble with Shrinking Shirts
Caring for Garments with Heat Transfers
Stretching Garments Prior to Heat Pressing
The Differences Between Polyurethane and Vinyl Films
Printing Tatoo with Seiko Fluorescent Inks
Reflective Heat Transfer Films
SEF Heat Transfer Films Instructions
Introducing Tatoo Printable Heat Transfer Films
HotMask Polyester Transfer Tapes
Correcting Plotter Cutting Problems When Cutting H...
Which Films Stick to Coated Fabrics?
The Difference between FlexCut Sticky and FlexCut ...
Heat Transfer Films Product Application Chart
Rules for Overlaying Heat Transfer Films
Comparing Heat Transfer Films with Screen Printed ...
Peel Recommendations for Heat Transfer Films
Heat Pressing Appliques on Leather
Plotter Cutting Heat Transfer Films
Cutting & Weeding Tips for Heat Transfer Films
The Trouble with Shrinking Shirts
Caring for Garments with Heat Transfers
Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer. Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.
Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for publications, such as Signs Canada, SignCraft, Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.
© 2015 Jim Hingst
This was a great read! I appreciate the clear explanation of how heat transfers work and their many uses.
ReplyDeleteGreat Post! Thanks for sharing such beautiful information with us. Please keep sharing.
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