HawgDawg 0 Posted July 5, 2008 If you have a design bigger than the heat press can you do multi pressing? Such as a 12 x 12 press and a sleeve design 24" long I am looking into heat press and just want to buy the right one Dawg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeCamaro 11 Posted July 5, 2008 Yes Dawg, you can press it by parts. I've done it. Press as much as you can the first time and then open and press whatever you have left. It will work. Joe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firemalt 10 Posted July 5, 2008 Do you overlap a small portion of the material that was already pressed? Does this damage the material? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeCamaro 11 Posted July 5, 2008 Yes you have to mke sure you re press a bit of what you already pressed to make sure there are no portions left un pressed. It wont damage the material if you press it twice or more times. If you are doing more than one color, then dont press the first one for the full time, press for 4 seconds, remove backing and press the other color on top for the full time. Joe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest crshirts Posted July 5, 2008 Try to get the biggest press possible for the money you want to spend. My first press was 9x12 and I use it now for only mouse pads and coasters. You'll be much happier with a 15x15 or 12x 16. Just my opinion. Carl Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest fivestar Posted July 5, 2008 I agree with Carl, get as big as you can afford. I got a 16x20 and would never go back to even a 15x15. Another way of pressing it is say you make your design 24"x4", lay it onto the sleeve diagonally (be sure you pre-press the sleeve), it will give you more then what your press is. Say you've get 17" this way, press that then reposition the sleeve to get the remaining part under the press, press it and peel the backing off cold. I hope this makes sense, ??? . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benr98 40 Posted July 5, 2008 I agree with everything said, EXCEPT when we have done multi-color on shirts, we did press the FULL time for each color with NO problems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeCamaro 11 Posted July 5, 2008 I agree with everything said, EXCEPT when we have done multi-color on shirts, we did press the FULL time for each color with NO problems. What vinyl brand are u using? When you press vinyl it will shrink a little. Once I had to make the Heineken logo and I pressed the black banner for 20 secs and then when I wanted to press the whiteborder on top it wouldnt fit, because blck shrinked. Plus when you press the first color for a few seconds, it will receive the full exposure later when you press the second color. Joe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benr98 40 Posted July 5, 2008 I'm using Thermoflex Plus. Haven't had a shrinkage problem. I had a 2 color logo to place on a few shirts. Maybe it depends on the temp?? I also pre-heat the shirts in advance, like you do. Jenny Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest fivestar Posted July 6, 2008 Jenny did you "butt up against" or overlay the multicolor, you don't notice it if you overlay it, just when you butt up against another color will you notice a tiny bit of shirnkage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HawgDawg 0 Posted July 6, 2008 Wow thanks for all the input. Its time to get a heat press Dawg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benr98 40 Posted July 6, 2008 Five, I didn't need to butt up against, it was an overlay. That is possible why I never noticed even a slight shrinkage!! Thanks for that bit of advice though, it's good to know. Jenny Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firemalt 10 Posted July 6, 2008 This heat press stuff is like starting all over for me... I have so much to learn... again!!! :- Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nonabelle 5 Posted July 6, 2008 This heat press stuff is like starting all over for me... I have so much to learn... again!!! :- IMO, heat press is easier than those decals and signs. i would rather do a t shirt anyday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest fivestar Posted July 6, 2008 t-shirt vinyl is sooooooo much easier to work with then sign vinyl, well at least multicut and thermoflex plus is, that spectra cut II junk stuff isn't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nonabelle 5 Posted July 6, 2008 fivestar, we r not talking about spectra cut ll.vspectra eco film, multicut, and thermoflex r all good vinyls for t shirts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites