Application Tips - Digitrans

Heat Press Tips

If existing, remove the Teflon sheet from the upper and lower platen of your heat press.

Reason: Teflon absorbs too much heat and leads to faulty and inconsistent results.

Always place the transfer media in the middle of your heat press.

Reason: Some heat presses do not have uniform heat and pressure distribution on the edges. The further you go to the edges, the more likely processing errors will occur, due to the lack of pressure on/around these areas

Make sure that the press has reached the set temperature on the heat platen. Then, close your press for 30-60 seconds to pre-heat the lower platen. This step should be done before beginning to work or after long breaks.

Reason: If you follow the above step, you can be sure that the lower platen definitely has the desired temperature. You can only reach consistent results with an adequately heated lower platen.

Remove substrate from the heat press carefully.

Reason: While opening the press or removing the substrate from your press, the corners of the Clear Carrier Film may lift up from the fabric. This leads to undesired hot-peeling and to incomplete and faulty edges.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • To achieve optimal washability, increase finishing time, temperature and pressure, peel the Clear Carrier Film when absolutely COLD.

    Use a cold pack to quickly cool transfers if needed.

  • Avoid placing the transfer over or near collars, seams or pockets as this will create uneven pressure.

    If placement must be in one of these areas, use something soft but supportive, like a heat pillow or pressing pad, under the substrate to help create a flatter surface for more evenly applied pressure.

  • If the transfer has not completely adhered to the substrate for any reason, you can repress.

    Additional application time will not harm the transfer.

  • Make sure to pre-heat synthetic substrates like polyester and nylon by pressing for at least 10 seconds at application temperature before applying transfer to avoid shrinking and ensure good transfer adhesion.

  • Use the lowest application time and temperature indicated for any part of a blend.

    For example, when applying to a 50/50 blend t-shirt, you should use the polyester instructions instead of the cotton because the temperature is lower to prevent scorching.