leword 0 Posted July 12, 2015 Hello!! I just got a 15x15 digital swing arm heat press from us cutter. And like most others have said it didn't come with any instructions. What temp and for how long do I need to pressing the heat transfer vinyl? Also is there anything else I need when doing htv? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pshawny 410 Posted July 12, 2015 Temperature and time vary depending on the type of HTV. I'm guessing that you have Siser EasyWeed. I don't see the temp and time info on USCutter's website, but you can find it on Siser's website. http://www.siserna.com/easyweed 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wildgoose 4,190 Posted July 13, 2015 If it`'s Siser you will be 305 deg for 12-15 seconds. If it's most other brands they tend toward 320 deg range but like mentioned each vinyl is very specific even within brands like Siser they vary a little from one type to another so you need to figure that out based on what you bought. On a side note I would HIGHLY recommend checking the accuracy of the digital temp by using an infrared thermometer gun. Those are notorious for being off quite a ways. I never figured out how to permanently adjust mine although there may be some way. I just wrote down what the machine said when I got it where I wanted it (until I commented it to memory) I have since upgraded to a higher end machine and low and behold the temp was off on it was well!!!! so don't trust those things. I did manage to adjust the gauge on the hew one though. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leword 0 Posted July 13, 2015 I did a monogram on a practice shirt and some of the edges are kinda peeling up. Is that a sign the temp wasn't high enough? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wildgoose 4,190 Posted July 13, 2015 Yep. A good rule of thumb is to be able to see the texture of the cloth through the vinyl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wildgoose 4,190 Posted July 13, 2015 There are three factors for a good adhesion. Time Temperature Pressure All three are important and make the difference between a good job and something done with a hand iron. If your press has the 4 springs that apply pressure to the upper platen then you can get a good idea of correct pressure based on how far you compress those springs. I always liked to get them nearly compressed all the way but not quite, this was what I called medium pressure. Fully compressed and some effort to lock the handle over I called high pressure and somewhat compressed but not more than about half way as light pressure. If this is the press you bought it's a fairly decent model. I still have my old one as a spare. Did about 4 years and a lot of press cycles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leword 0 Posted July 13, 2015 Yes that is the one I have! I figured it had something to do with that. It's surprising to get a machine with no instructions or explanations of the parts! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,293 Posted July 13, 2015 again - like others stated above the instructions come on your heat press material for time and temp - last person we had that couldn't get the vinyl to work right turned out to be using sign vinyl and not htv at all 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
