How to Press Heat Transfer Vinyl onto Neoprene

Learn how to press heat transfer vinyl onto neoprene.

By Jim Hingst 
@hingst_jim

Prior to WWII, the DuPont company developed neoprene. It is a water-resistant, closed-cell synthetic rubber. It is used for a variety of applications, such as wet suits, gloves, cozies, vehicle seat covers, cell foam covers, mouse pads and laptop sleeves.   

Neoprene is a tough material that withstands acids, caustics and solvents. Best yet, for heat transfer applications, neoprene withstands high heat.  In heat pressings, some shops have subjected neoprene materials to temperatures as hot as 400⁰F (204⁰C).  That means that all of the applications that I listed in the previous paragraph can be identified with a company logo or personalized with the owner’s name and favorite graphics.

Our heat transfer tests on neoprene were very successful. We heat pressed both the SEF FlexCut Sticky™ heat transfer vinyl, which is a polyurethane film for plotter cutting,  and the SEF Tatoo™, a printable polyurethane product, shown at the top of this blog post.  

The appliques were applied with a heat press at the standard time, temperature and pressure that we use for most of the heat transfer materials: 330⁰F (165⁰C) for 17 seconds at moderately high pressure. Both heat transfer vinyl products that we tested are coated with a standard polyurethane adhesive and  exhibited excellent adhesion.

Please be aware, though, some swimsuits are a blend of neoprene and nylon.  While neoprene withstands high temperatures, nylon is heat sensitive. For this reason, when you are working with materials that you have not worked with before, it is best to read the label on the garment and  when it is practical, “Test, Don’t Guess” prior to production. 

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 heat press machine. Here are a few equipment suggestions:

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"

 Hotronix Air Fusion 16"x20" Heat Press Swing-Away Table Top features the following:

● 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

Printing Heat Transfer Films with Latex Inks

Changing Printer Settings in Roland Versaworks

Tips for Cutting Flock Material

Heat Transfers on Neoprene

Stretching Garments Prior to Heat Pressing

The Differences Between Polyurethane and Vinyl Films

How to Flash Press FlexCut StickyLT  

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 

Heat Pressing on Dye Sublimated Fabrics

Heat Transfer Films: Hot, Warm or Cold Peel

Processing Printable Heat Transfer Films

Shopping for a Heat Press 

Pressing Heat Transfer Films

Evaluating Heat Transfer Films

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.

© 2015 Jim Hingst