Wildgoose 4,200 Posted June 14, 2013 So when pressing hats do you remove the cardboard liner or not? I tried one with it in and it didn't seem to hurt anything. Just thought it might be a good idea to get someone's opinion who has more experience than I do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadHatterGraphix 1,258 Posted June 14, 2013 Yup remove the cardboard, you need the cap to bend with the press pad. You might be getting good results however try washing the hat or pulling on the vinyl see if there is any that's sort of loose or turned up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaybyrd 3,770 Posted June 14, 2013 I usually forget about the cardboard until after. No problems so far but probably more flexible like hatter said w/o it in there. On a side note mainly on visors but some hats like to pucker up so I grab the visor/hat under the press and manually pull it tight while closing press with other hand. Also if using siser trim as close as possible to image to make it more comformable. My process is to trim tight tape w/ high temp tape and just as the press hit the hats I wiggle it side to side about 1/4", This helps ensure the image is flat with no tunnels. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrMopar64 47 Posted June 14, 2013 Quick qusetion... Where do you get high temp tape? What brand name? Thanks MM64 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaybyrd 3,770 Posted June 14, 2013 I think I got mine here: https://www.dye-sublimation-products.com/cgi-bin/sublimation-store/web_store.cgi?page=adhesives.html&cart_id=9337329_26820 I've had it for awhile and it works great. Jay Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadHatterGraphix 1,258 Posted June 14, 2013 Any place that deals with heat press's and even eBay sells it. I use Stahls. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wildgoose 4,200 Posted June 15, 2013 Thanks for the tips guys. BTW I got my heat tape right here at USCutter. Looks like the same stuff as Stahls for a little bit less dinero. I am surprised at the mileage you can get on it. I probably re-use ot 4or 5 times. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrMopar64 47 Posted June 16, 2013 Thanks...I'll have to get me some MM64 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wildgoose 4,200 Posted June 25, 2013 I have to correct my previous statement on the heat tape. I have been busting out several hundred hats and have found I can get anywhere up to about 4 dozen re-uses on the tape. depending on how much lint comes off the hats. Pretty impressive. I was worried when I bought the roll that I would use it up too quick but thats not going to be a problem. As for the original topic on this post I have tried with and without the cardboard quite extensively. I have an older model Stahls cap press that I scored off ebay for $100 and it doesn't seem to make much difference either way. The hat face gets pressed very slightly smoother without the backing but it also has a tendancy to create a crease along the top of the foam. When I leave the backing in it still gets a reasonable flat press and doesn't show the crease so much. Saves a TON of time leaving them in so thats what I have settled in on. These hats are a low profile 6 panel hat. I did a test press on a mid profile 5 panel hat that worked better but eveyone seems to prefer the low profile look or they go to the extreme the other direction with the flat bill gangster style flex fit. I have heard of folks shaving off the sharp edge of the press pad to help reduce the crease, I may do that one of these days. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaybyrd 3,770 Posted June 25, 2013 I had to trim mine to get the fit just right but it was just a little bit of chamfer along the back edge Share this post Link to post Share on other sites