Getting T shirt design straight on swing heat press.

[Phil47]

Hi everyone, I hope someone can help this newbie.

I lay a t-shirt out on the heat press but have real difficulty getting the t-shirt straight and centred to get the design in the right place, Can I stick the design to the t-shirt using heat proof tape or is there a foolproof way of doing it.

Many thanks

[mr-gobby]

Try your idea but perhaps practice a lot lining t shirt up on the press, equal bits hanging off the sides, shoulders lined up at top squarely, stick your logo on with tape then lift it up and check for square, after time you will get the knack but it is a pain as you will find t shirts are not perfectly made and sometimes folded oddly so give then a shake out first
Mark

[R.Prints]

I just place a large ruler from armpit to armpit and place whatever your applying central. Do them and tape it so you can do multiple shirts before you start pressing.

[Dave271069]

some times i pre press with the tshirt folded in half, this gives you a line down the centre of t-shirt, then fold your design in half and you have the middle of design.

[Earl Smith]

Once the t-shirt is square on the press ( as explained above) I have a couple of pieces of stout card,cut square and the same width as the press. These are cut to depth for a front or back print.
Lay it on the shirt from the collar down, and line up the print using this. Every shirt will be printed in exactly the same place.

If your vinyl is the non sticky type then lay a piece of baking paper on top to hold it in place.

[paul 44]

I usually just measure either edge of whatever is to be transferred to make sure it's central (armpit to armpit), then I use a ruler and lay it on the transfer/vinyl and check that with the base of the shirt to see if the ruler is straight, if the ruler isn't straight the transfer isn't straight either. Works for me