screen printing heat transfers

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shawks
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screen printing heat transfers

Post by shawks »

We just got our new Hotronix 16x20 draw press this week and we're experimenting with it today. The press is simple enough to use, but we're having problems with the transfers. We're using Trans-75 (cold peel). The design is a multi-color design with an underbase. We're using multi-tech general purpose plastisol inks. We know we need to soft-cure between each color. This is where we having problems. Obviously we're over-curing because the transfer peels off of the garment. We're using our flash unit to soft cure between colors. We're flashing just enough so the ink is tacky but not wet. The flash unit is approx. 1 1/4 inch from the platen and we're flashing for 10 sec. If we flash any less, the ink is still wet. But flashing for 10 seconds seems to be over-curing the ink.

We do have a dryer and we know it's suggested that you print all one color first, soft-cure in the dryer, re-register, repeat. We're hoping to be able to print all colors at once just as if we were printing shirts.

Also, we're using the same screens we used for printing this design on shirts since we're just experimenting. They range from 86 (shimmer ink) to 110 to 230 for a color with halftones. The ink is reduced with soft-hand extender.


We're at a loss at what to try next. Any suggestions?
improperazzi.net
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I wish someone would answer this cause I need to know too!

Post by improperazzi.net »

We were just discussing if we could flash cure it on the platen instead of run it thru the dryer between colors.

Also, I had the same concerns about mesh count with inks on the transfer paper.

Thanks.

Jonathan
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Don
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Post by Don »

I have screen printed a lot of transfers but I gel cured each color seperate. I have the same heat press as you and it is what I used to gel cure my transfers. I always hda the same problem with over curing if when I used a flash unit. I built a simple tin skirt to go around the back and sides of the press. The biggest problem is if your image is butt registered, the paper will shrink on the first cure and then the second and on will be out of regisrer. Have a BLESSED evening & weekend.
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ROADSIDE
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Post by ROADSIDE »

You mentioned you were flashing for 10 seconds but at what temperature?
Less is more.... ? I dunno just asking.
I would love to print transfers but no time to experiment.

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yaleteamsandtees
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Post by yaleteamsandtees »

When using a flash to gel transfers
the platen gets hotter and hotter
messing up the cure.

We've printed trannys since 1974
and a dryer is the ONLY way to fly.
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Post by ROADSIDE »

hmmmm... Anyone care to right a step by step tutorial?
Or maybe post a link to one?
.... I can give you my opinion but I can't tell you if it's right or not.
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Post by Don »

I have links to 2 tutorials if you want them. One is from screenprinters.net and another is from an ink company. Let me know.
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dean125
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Post by dean125 »

Hi , does some of you guys know how to build my own heat press, if you know some plans or something like that. Can you tell me or pint e in some direction where to look. Thanks
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