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Thursday, April 11, 2013

Stretching Garments Prior to Heat Pressing




Some screen printers, who print directly onto t-shirts or who print plastisol heat transfers, will stretch the garment before printing or heat pressing. By doing this, the weave of the shirt opens up allowing the ink to better penetrate the fibers of the fabric. This practice is believed to prevent cracking of the ink. 


While stretching garments may work when printing t-shirts or heat pressing plastisol heat transfers, you should not stretch shirts prior to heat pressing a polyurethane heat transfer film.  Here’s why. After the shirt is washed, it will shrink back to its original shape.  When this happens, the polyurethane applique will contract, resulting in the puckering of the heat transfer film.  See the photo below. 

Do not stretch the garment prior to heat pressing or the applique will pucker after the first washing.

Instead of stretching a garment prior to pressing, you should pre-press it.  This causes the shirt to shrink. In addition, if there is any moisture in the fabric, pre-pressing will dry the shirt. Moisture can potentially cause adhesion problems. Pressing the garment also provides a smooth surface for the application of the heat transfer applique. 

 Equipment Recommendations

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 16"x20" Heat Press Swing-Away - Heat Transfer Press Machine

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.

 


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



About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

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.

Slides of Jim's Artwork

© 2015 Jim Hingst
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