flex from front and back of the t-shirt

[kris_hm]

Hi,
got to do few front and back t-shirts. and just thinking how to protect front design when pressing second one on the back?? t-shirts are too small to wrap it around heat press plate. Was thinking about placing piece of cardboard inside t-shirt but maybe I'm panicking too much and shouldn't protect it at all??
don't have spare t-shirts right now so prefer to ask before proceeding with back designs.
thanks

[accdave]

I never protect mine.

[Paul]

O mever protect mime too.

[mrs maggot]

no need, if you are using hot peel, you can also cut down the press time on the first, as you will be pressing it 3 times in total, once front, once back then once after peeling

[kris_hm]

thanks ! will blame you if something goes wrong lol
mrs maggot, I'm using cold peel but didn't know that have to re-press if using hot peel (?!?!). is it for every hot peel flex/flock ? I've got catalogue from xpress with all their vinyls, pressing times, temperatures ect. and it doesn't say anything about pressing after hot peel

[Paul]

I would say every vinyl need re-pressing. this is what i do any way. to smooth the edges etc...

[kris_hm]

so if I press my flex on settings: 160 C, 17 sec, what would you recommend for re-pressing?? also do I have to protect it somehow ?? silicone sheet ??

[Paul]

i dont protect it but most will recomend it
when repressing simply press for another 5sec. thats all I do..

[P4UL]

Definitely protect with silicone sheet, if you get any glue residue or such on the platen it could potentially transfer on to the garment.

[mrs maggot]

yep always repress and always protect, the vinyl itself is fine, but as p4ul says its to protect the platen