Which Heat Transfer Vinyl

[chet]

OK I have my SUBLIMATION STARTER BUNDLE: EPSON ECOTANK ET-14000, Cameo 4 pro and a heat press all thanks to you guys. I now want to get started learning how to Print, Cut and Press.
I've also had a play around and watched lots of video's and how to use the the Silhouette Software, think I'm pretty close to having the basics nailed, I guess the first cut will tell.

Which Vinyl would you suggest I use and where from, also which printing mat would you suggest I use, the one that comes with the pro 4 is huge.

Cheers all,

Chet

[pw66]

TMT 123 Flex is a very good all purpose option. Easy to weed and can be applied at a low temperature, so can be used on polyester without the worry of dye migration ( you can learn about that at your leisure ). Available from most of the main garment suppliers or direct from https://www.themagictouch.co.uk/

MDP supplies do a good range at good prices. Hot Flex is the best, but they also do a good range of other finishes.
https://www.mdpsupplies.co.uk/clothing-vinyl/hot-flex

[Justin]

Another vote for 123 Flex, excellent. We've been using Grafityp's cheapest vinyl recently and found it very good overall. Also done a lot of work for a customer who supplies Dae Ha vinyl. We'd never used them before but very pleased with the quality and would say bang for buck this is by far the best.

[chet]

Thanks, do I actually need a carrier sheet for vinyl, as seen some youtube videos say that its not needed.
Just ordering now, just wondering if I need to order a carrier sheet too.

[Justin]

No, the vinyl wil come on its own carrier sheet, you just need to get your pressure set correctly so it cuts the vinyl and not right through the carrier

[pw66]

Thanks, do I actually need a carrier sheet for vinyl, as seen some youtube videos say that its not needed.
Just ordering now, just wondering if I need to order a carrier sheet too.

Don't forget to reverse your image.

[chet]

Thank you, and thanks for answering these questions that may be very basic for the vast majority on these forums.

[pw66]

Thank you, and thanks for answering these questions that may be very basic for the vast majority on these forums.

Not at all. We have all made mistakes. Boy, have we made mistakes....

[logobear]

IMHO - all the above mentioned vinyls are good.
Generally, they have got better and more consistant over the last 30 years.

What I would suggest, is that you choose a supplier, and stick with them.
Means you get to learn the tricks and nuances of the chosen brand, and you have absolute consistancy from year to year.
DEFFINITELY, - do not buy on price each purchase, - mix and match, and buy random from ebay etc.

IMHO - the technical support phone line offered by The Magic Touch is extremely useful, thou impossible to value.
When a client brings in a new 'technical' fabric, - or you are given TriBlend etc....
It is super useful to be able to phone up a supplier and ask.
This forum is brilliant, - but real time support is priceless!

[pw66]

Good advice from Logobear. Keep your brands separate because time and temp are not all the same, and they are not all interchangeable if you need to layer colours.
It is far better to know that everything on the shelf is the same brand. It can be costly and disastrous if you get the time and temp wrong.
I have switched to The MagicTouch 123 from MDP Hotflex over the last couple of years because it is suitable for most fabrics.(There are other brands that have the same low temp. properties).
I keep some MDP for customers who send their workwear to a commercial laundry, and for very fine detail designs.