FlexCut Sticky Instructions
Plotter Cutting
·
For troublefree cutting, you must use a sharp
45⁰ blade.
·
Set the blade depth at approximately ½ the
thickness of a credit card.
·
Cutting speed: Slow
·
Set downforce pressure. Typical value when using
a sharp blade is 80 to 90 grams.
·
Prior to production, perform a test cut. Adjust
offset value as needed.
·
Cut a mirror image (in reverse) of your graphic
Weeding Tips
·
For weeding intricate detail, good lighting, a
magnifying hood (see the photo below)and a pick are essential.
·
Pick the centers of the letters first (as shown
below).
·
When weeding letters cut in reverse, begin on
the left and work to the right. (See the photo below.)
·
As you remove the matrix, carefully weed the
waste film from between the horizontal arms of letters, such “E” and “F”.
·
Keep your work surface clean, immediately disposing
of weeded scraps.
Heat Press Setting
·
For FlexCut Sticky STD (Standard)
o
Heat press at 330⁰F (165⁰C) for 15 to 17 seconds
at medium to high pressure.
o
Remove the clear carrier (release liner) hot or
warm
o
When heat pressing MetalFlex films, the gloss
level will increase if you wait to perform a cool peel.
·
For FlexCut Sticky LT or FlexCut Sticky Nylon
o
Heat press at 240⁰F (170⁰C) for 15 to 17 seconds
at medium to high pressure.
o
Remove the clear carrier (release liner) when
warm.
·
For FlexCut Sticky SBB (Subliblock)
o
Heat press at 240⁰F (170⁰C) for 15 to 17 seconds
at medium to high pressure.
o
Remove the clear carrier (release liner) when
warm.
VelCut Instructions
Plotter Cutting
·
For troublefree cutting, you must use a sharp
45⁰ or 60⁰ blade.
·
While VelCut is a thick flock material, you only
need to set the blade depth to cut through the polyurethane hot melt base, and
not clear through the flock fibers to the carrier.
·
Cutting speed: Slow
·
Set downforce pressure. Typical value when using
a sharp blade is 90 to 100 grams.
·
Prior to production, perform a test cut. Adjust
offset value as needed.
·
Cut a mirror image (in reverse) of your graphic,
and weed the matrix.
Heat Press Setting
·
Heat press at 330⁰F (165⁰C) for 15 to 17 seconds
at medium pressure.
·
Remove the clear carrier (release liner) after
allowing the applied graphic to cool for 20 seconds.
Tatoo Instructions
Printing
·
Select a generic ‘heat transfer media’ profile.
Visit RTape’s website, http://www.rtape.com/icc-profiles,
for specific profiles for your printer.
·
Make sure that you print on the matte
polyurethane side of the film not on the polyester carrier.
·
When printing on Tatoo, print “right reading”,
not in reverse.
·
After printing , wait 30 minutes for the ink to
completely dry.
Plotter
·
For troublefree cutting, you must use a sharp
45⁰ blade.
·
Set the blade depth at approximately ½ the
thickness of a credit card.
·
Cutting speed: Slow
·
Set downforce pressure. Typical value when using
a sharp blade is 80 to 90 grams.
·
Prior to production, perform a test cut. Adjust
offset value as needed.
Heat Press Setting
·
For Tatoo (Standard)
o
After printing and cutting the graphics, weed or
remove the excess material from around the design.
o
To transfer the printed applique, mask it with
RTape HM375 HotMask™. Squeegee the HotMask™ using a stiff squeegee and firm
squeegee pressure.
o
Before removing the polyester carrier, wait at
least 15 minutes for the adhesion of the HotMask to build.
o
Remove the carrier from the applique, peeling
the polyester film from the printed polyurethane graphic (as shown below), rather than trying to
lift the graphic off of the carrier with the masking.
o
Heat press at 330⁰F (165⁰C) for 15 to 17 seconds
at medium to high pressure.
o
Remove the HotMask™ transfer tape while hot or warm.
·
For Tatoo Nylon
o Press at 240°F (115°C) for 15 seconds at medium to
high pressure.
o
Remove the HotMask™ transfer tape while hot or warm.
·
For Tatoo SubliBlock
o
Press at 240°F (115°C) for 17 seconds at medium to
high pressure.
o
Remove the HotMask™ transfer tape while hot or warm.
ClearFlex Instructions
Printing
·
Select a generic ‘heat transfer media’ profile.
Visit RTape’s website, http://www.rtape.com/icc-profiles,
for specific profiles for your printer.
·
Make sure that you print on the polyurethane
side of the film, not on the polyester carrier.
·
When printing on ClearFlex, print in reverse on
the adhesive side of the film.
·
To improve ink saturation you may want to
overprint the image multiple times.
·
After printing , wait 30 minutes for the ink to
completely dry.
Plotter
·
For troublefree cutting, you must use a sharp
45⁰ blade.
·
Set the blade depth at approximately ½ the
thickness of a credit card.
·
Cutting speed: Slow
·
Set downforce pressure. Typical value when using
a sharp blade is 80 grams.
·
Prior to production, perform a test cut. Adjust
offset value as needed.
Heat Press Setting
·
After printing and cutting the graphics, weed or
remove the excess material from around the design.
·
ClearFlex does not require a HotMask™ to
transfer the printed applique.
·
Heat press at 330⁰F (165⁰C) for 15 to 17 seconds
at medium to high pressure.
·
Remove the carrier, after allowing the garment
to cool for at least 10 seconds.
EcoPrint Instructions
Printing
·
Select a generic 720 x 720 profile. Visit
RTape’s website, http://www.rtape.com/icc-profiles, for specific profiles for your printer.
·
To improve color quality when printing on
absorbent material such as EcoPrint, you should set the total ink limit at
about 200%. To improve ink saturation you may also want to overprint the image
multiple times.
·
When printing on EcoPrint, print “right
reading”, not in reverse.
·
After printing , wait for the ink to completely
dry, before masking. Drying times are dependent on ink saturation and ambient
shop environment.
Plotter Cutting
·
For troublefree cutting, you must use a sharp
45⁰ or 60⁰ blade.
·
Adjust the blade depth so it will cut through
the flock fibers and the polyurethane hot melt adhesive base.
·
Cutting speed: Slow
·
Set downforce pressure. Typical value when using
a sharp blade is 100 grams.
·
Prior to production, perform a test cut. Adjust
offset value as needed.
Heat Press Setting
·
After printing and cutting the graphics, weed or
remove the excess material from around the design.
·
To transfer the printed applique, you must mask
printed EcoPrint with RTape HM485L HotMask™, a linered transfer tape. Remove
the liner from HM485L (as shown in the photo below).
·
Squeegee the 485L HotMask™ using a stiff
squeegee and firm squeegee pressure (as shown in the photo below).
·
Before removing the polyester carrier, wait at
least 15 minutes for the adhesion of the HotMask to build.
·
After laminating 485L to the print, remove the
carrier from the applique, peeling the polyester film from the printed EcoPrint
graphic (as shown below), rather
than trying to lift the graphic off of the carrier with the masking.
·
Heat press at 330⁰F (165⁰C) for 15 to 17 seconds
at medium to high pressure.
·
After waiting a few seconds after heat pressing,
remove the 485L HotMask™ transfer tape while
warm (as shown below).
About Heat Transfer Machines
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
Wow! This is interesting. Would love to try this. - cgthermal.com
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