THe Value of Pressing a SECOND Time

The other day, I was discussing our transfer paper with a heavy user.

What follows is his story:  one day he was rushing to get an order out.  Short on time, he skipped the second pressing – the Teflon (c) overlay for 4 – 6 seconds overlay.  The order looked fine and he was pleased to deliver as per his commitment.

A few weeks later, the customer made contact with him.  The images of the shirts were washing out relative to previous orders.  Our customer did a series of tests:  1.  the shirts without a second press washed out much quicker than those with a second pressing.  2.  He replaced the shirts and the customer has a smile.  The second pressing made the difference – no washout issues.

The second pressing adds significant value to tshirt transfers.

A second benefit is:  the cracking associated with transfers is often minimized (and sometimes eliminated with the second pressing).

So please do not rush and do a second – the Teflon (c) overlay pressing.  The second pressing is of significance!

have an awesome day

Ken

(Printer) Help Please!

“Wow, I was not expecting such a great answer less than an hour after I sent a question.

We are a startup, and I was looking for something that I could buy that would print on 4 polos, 4 canvas bags and 2 hats.  This is why I was hoping there would be something that is good for my printer .  The company is a (removed) company, so it would really only be used for printing on our own t-shirts and other accessories.  This being the case, its not exactly reasonable for us to purchase a new printer to do all of this.  I will save your email because if we ever grow or decide to give away some of these items as advertisement gifts, the questions you asked are very helpful to guiding me in the right place.

Since its somewhat out of the question for me to do this at home, do you know any company that could print this for us?  I’ve read the reviews for just about every transfer sheet designed for inkjets and I would like to avoid it if possible.

Thank you for all your help, I’ve never gotten such a quick and useful answer from any other company” before

On Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 5:26 PM, AutoARTransfers <info@autoartransfers.com> wrote:

Hi (name removed):

Unfortunately the Samsung color laser printers seem to run too hot for our papers.  That is, our DuraCotton Heat Transfer Papers will initially melt and then jam in the fuser.  This issue is not limited to our paper but most if not all papers in today’s marketplace – personally, I do not know of any transfer paper that runs in the Samsungs.

What is the best printer to get for printing transfers?

I do not think there is a ‘best’ answer.  But before even considering an answer, we need to identify your requirements, guidelines and constraints:

what size of images will you be printing?

in an average month, how many images will you print?  Is this a start up opportunity or ….?

what will you ultimately press – t-shirts, 100% cotton, polycotton blends, 100% polyester, canvas bags, pillow cases, coasters, …  Will the target substrates be regularly washed – like a t-shirt – or perhaps never washed such as a canvas bag?

will the printer be primarily devoted to printing transfers or are there other applications?

do you have budget constraints?

what is the life expectancy of the printer (from your perspective)?

for you, what is the most important attribute of your printed and pressed transfer?

do your customers have unique demands for transfers?

I think the above represents a great starting point.

You should also realize we (AutoART Color Solutions Inc) have a bias towards toner-based color laser printers and copiers.  We believe there is a substantial quality advantage associated with toner-based transfers over inkjet – lack of cracking ,extended wash durability, color vibrancy, lack of hand ( or feel ) of the transfer (laser versus inkjet), time to print, ease of printing, cost of printing supplies on a per print basis, ….  but recognizing that bias, we have recommended inkjet printers to some ‘about to begin’ transfer operators.

Another factor that may influence your selection is: today’s transfer paper is requiring hotter and hotter fusers.  This is a recent trend as most / all suppliers optimize their product(s) for the non-oil printing equipment.

Given your answers to the above, you may wish to visit the Printers – Copiers Settings link on our website under SUPPORT.  The website is www.autoartransfersdirect.com and the links are down the left hand side.  Here you will locate a long list of many printers and copiers that work with our DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED T-Shirt Paper.

I hope the above helps; I will be pleased to answer any other questions or to respond in greater details if requested.

Good Luck!

have a great one!

DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED – overcoming cracking issues

Just hot off the heat press!

Using DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED T-Shirt Transfer Paper, we now recommend the following settings to minimize image cracking:

1.  quick press to remove moisture and ‘iron’ fabric

2.  position transfer and press at 400 F / 205 C degrees, HEAVY pressure on a manual, 10 – 11 seconds

3.  delay peeling as long as possible (7 to 8 seconds).  If paper will not release easily, put back into the heat press for another 4 – 5 seconds, peel at about 5 seconds.  The paper should peel absolutely CLEAN.

Let cool to room temperature.  Take image and stretch hard (be sure to stretch north – south and east – west).  We have found the color to be strong and the cracking virtually eliminated.

Go ahead and give it a try.  If you crack largely, then you may be peeling too soon.

Good Luck!

have a great one!

Ken

AutoART Color Solutions

www.autoartransfersdirect.com

Email:  info@autoartransfers.com

Difficulty Peeling?

Received the following from a long time user of DuraCotton Heat Transfer Papers (since the year 1999):

“I have been trying the new paper sample you sent me (DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED) but I’m not having very good results. The paper goes through the printer fine on heavy setting. Its the transfer to t-shirt which I have been  unsuccessful with. I find the transfer very hard to remove after pressing. In fact, sometimes part of the transfer has stayed on the paper and also peeled off the shirt. I have washed it but see cracking in the image after only one wash.”

Hmmmm!

Let us get the peeling sorted out first.  Washing before the peeling is right has little to no value.

Sounds to me that either your heat press is too cold (the temperature reading may not be accurate) – maybe you should add 5 F degrees –  or you are simply too long before peeling.

I presume you have been following the instructions – 390 F for 20 – 25 seconds.  Then what I do is take the shirt out of the press and wave it around for 3 – 4 seconds.  Peel.

The paper comes out absolutely clean.

Everyone has their own way of doing things.  You might wish to visit the website – www.autoartransfersdirect.com – and click on Photo Gallery.  Under DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED, there are photos supplied by one customer and his method of peeling documented below.

Under Customer Comments, on the right hand side of the front page, a lady has described her method.

Tony, good ole Tony, he has devised his own method:  “400F 10-12 seconds with peeling time

of 8-10 seconds for best results”.

Me – I tried Tony’s settings yesterday but found the paper sticking to the shirt.  I put the transfer and shirt back in for 4 – 5 seconds and peeled without issue.  Then I tried his 400 F at 11 seconds and peeled perfectly at 5 – 6 seconds.

I guess what I am saying is there is no right way to perfection.  Test with your equipment to find something that works best.  And by best, I mean best in terms of hand and wash durability.

Cracking – I have found (as have many others) that the images crack easily before being washed.  But, if you wash and then use the dryer – with heat – the images do not crack when pulled thereafter.

Hope the above helps!

have a great one!

Ken

AutoART Color Solutions Inc.

DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED T-Shirt Transfers: Heat Press Settings Refined

The recommended Heat Press Settings for DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED T-Shirt Transfer Paper have been adjusted.  These adjustments improve wash durability, minimize cracking, …

The settings are as follows:

Temperature:  385 – 395 F degrees, about 200 C degrees

Time:  14 to 25 seconds.  The longer, the better.  The extended time enables the polymer to be driven deeper into the fabric fiber thereby increasing wash durability and minimizing cracking.

Pressure:  heavy pressure on a manual.  Test and adjust for your preferences.

There has been some negative feedback regarding peeling of the paper (and at times, stretching of the fabric fiber).  This indicates the polymer was not sufficiently heated (which should now be corrected with the extended pressing time).  It is recommended that the peeling be delayed 5 to 8 seconds – when we have done so, the peeling has been easy, fast and without pulling.  As well, there is no toner left on the transfer carrier paper.

Implementing these recommendations should improve the quality of your pressed transfer products.

have a great one!

Ken

Ken Black

AutoART Color Solutions Inc

Differences: DuraCotton HT vs GOOF vs HT v2.1 ADVANCED

Recently, a customer was puzzled about what DuraCotton paper would be best suited for his needs and equipment.

The response which follows was also documented on the website under SUPPORT.

What is the Difference between papers?

DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED is a BRAND NEW – Unique paper – not previously offered by AutoART nor its distribution channels.  This paper addresses customer comments and issues re:  DuraCotton HT and DuraCottonGOOF.

1.  More Printers – Copiers:

DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED works with a wide(r) spectrum of color laser printers – copiers – it works with OIL-based equipment, and NON-OIL at much higher fusing temperatures than DuraCotton HT and DuraCottonGOOF.  DuraCotton HT v2.1 does not jam.

Of course, you can check this out:  DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED – http://www.autoartransfersdirect.com/category_s/44.htm – or, on this website under INSTRUCTIONS, Printers – Copiers – Printer Settings.  A growing list of printers, copiers and appropriate settings is located there.

DuraCotton HT and DuraCottonGOOF – http://www.autoartusa.com/AutoART_DuraCotton_heat_transfe/Paper_Settings.html – or go to www.autoartusa.com, then SUPPORT, then Paper Settings

2.  NO Curling:

One issue with DuraCotton HT and DuraCottonGOOD has been curling after printing.

DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED does NOT curl after printing – even though it requires a much hotter fuser than the other two papers.  In fact, the carrier paper
is totally different that that used with Duracotton HT and DuraCottonGOOF – the reason is simple as the paper came from a totally different coater ( than that used for DuraCotton HT and DuraCottonGOOF ).

3.  DuraCotton HT and DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED wash about the same. 

DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED and DuraCotton HT both wash out about the same – whether on 100% cotton or polycotton fabrics.  DuraCottonGOOF is  recommended for NO wash or very low wash applications.  DuraCottonGOOF is identical to DuraCotton HT except the coater forgot to include one anti-washout additive; DuraCottonGOOF washes out too much for t-shirts etc that are worn and washed regularly.

4.  The thickness of the polymer of the three papers is virtually identical – at the industry standard of 130 gsm.

5.  DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED was never offered to distribution.  

Using historical markups ( of US based distributors ) as a guideline, DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED would have a suggested retail price of approximately $84 US for 100 sheets – letter-size.  

DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED is expensive paper – no doubt about that – but at $84, it simply would NOT sell.  AutoARTransfersDIRECT has its highest price for the paper at $44.10 – after Member Discounts ( no charge to sign up ).  So, it is easy to see the economic advantage to our customer base based on AutoARTransfersDIRECT pricing.

And, given we have always provided considerable support to our customers – either direct or indirect – the quality of tech support for customers will only improve.

have a great one!

Ken

Ken Black

AutoART Color Solutions Inc.

Transfer Refinement

What has become evident is if you increase the temperature and shorten the time allocated to heat pressing the DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED T-Shirt Transfer Paper is:

- the ‘east – west’ hand increases – the transfer will crackle as you crush it within your hand

That crakcle does not turn me on.

 

To soften the ‘east – west’ hand, reduce the temp down to approximately 380 – 390 F degrees, and increase the time beyond 15 seconds.  I have tested up to 25 seconds at a relatively low temperature.

I continue to recommend the use of the Teflon (c) overlay.  This also softens the hand and increases color durability.

Here’s to great transferring!

have a great one!

Ken

www.AutoARTransfersDIRECT.com

Pressing Light Colors

Pressing Light Colors requires overlaying the Teflon (c) sheet over the image area after peeling the transfer paper.

Initially after peeling the paper on many light colors, you will see the polymer box.  But, if you heat press again – using the Teflon (c) sheeting over the image area – the polymer box will disappear.

It is that simple.

Many samples of DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED are now uploaded and available under SUPPORT – Photo Samples.  You can also go directly to the webpage with the uploaded file:  Click here – http://www.autoartusa.com/AutoART_DuraCotton_heat_transfe/DuraCotton_HT_v21_ADVANCED.html. Obviously, some colors work and others do not.  We leave to you to decide which colors work for your customers and for you.

Here’s to great transfers!

have a great one!

Ken

Ken Black

www.AutoARTransfersDIRECT.com

Known Issues DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED T-Shirt Transfer Paper

There are two known issues with DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED:

1.  a very hot fuser is required to ‘fuse’ the toner to the transfer paper while printing.  In most cases, you will not be able to print with a cold printer and anticipate perfect toner fusion.  More likely, the toner will be loose and partially rub / smear if you drag your hand across the image area – this simply confirms that your fuser was not hold enough.

To correct, print 2 – 5 sheets of regular photocopy paper in the HEAVY / THICK / ULTRA HEAVY setting to heat up the fuser.

In some cases – older printers, well-used fusers, … – the fuser may not reach sufficient temperature to fuse the toner to the transfer paper.   In this case, we suggest you may wish to use a different paper, a different printer – copier and or a new fuser.

 

2.  This paper LOVES more – more temperature, more time, more pressure.

You best test to optimize the color, wash durability and hand (lack of).  We have suggested settings (with our press) that generate excellent color vibrancy, virtually ZERO hand (and I do mean ZERO) and great wash durability.  We have varied our settings from 385 F – 195 C to 395 F – 200 C; evaluated changing the pressing time from 14 to 17 to 22 to 25 seconds; varied the initial peeling from 3 to 10 seconds; compared running with no Teflon (c) overlay versus 3 – 5 – 8 seconds of second pressing (with the overlay).

In each case, we achieved noticable improvement in the color quality and lack of hand.  Ultimately, we (AutoART Color Solutions) compromised and have recommended middle of the road heat press settings that should meet the needs of most professional heat press operators. 

But, if you have a special job – one that demands the best of quality – simply press longer and be sure to use several seconds with the Teflon (c) overlay.  Then delay, delay on the peel.

If on the other hand, you are printing 500 shirts for a ‘one-day’ throw-away t-shirt, the Teflon (c) overlay is not quite so important.

Here’s to the best transfers that you will ever press!

have a great one!

Ken

Ken Black

www.AutoARTransfersDIRECT.com

DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED T-Shirt Transfer Paper

AutoART Color Solutions Inc is pleased to introduce its latest heat transfer paper:  DuraCotton HT v2.1 ADVANCED T-Shirt Transfer Paper.

This paper delivers: 

     Awesome ‘Eye-Candy’ and accurate color

     Virtually ZERO Hand (before Wash), ZERO after Wash

     NO Cracking after first wash

     NO Cutting – several light t-shirt colors, including White

     User-Friendly Heat-Press Settings – NO scorching of shirt, NO burning of fingers

     Use regular color laser toner, low-cost, excellent color vibrancy + wash durability

     AutoART Affordable pricing  (8.5″ x 11″, 11″ x 17″ sizes)

Available now:   www.AutoARTransfersDIRECT.com