Pressing both sides of a T shirt with printed vinyl

[kermit]

Silex Ltd
Unit 4 & 5 Broxhead Trd Est
Lindford
Bordon
Hampshire
GU35 0NY

Thanks. I will try some out!

[mr-gobby]

and there was I thinking 6mm might have been a bit thick! Do you buy it A3 size?

[logobear]

why use shit film and have to bother about this stuff? Some of my own work wear is many years old, has multi layered vinyl on both sides, and washed a couple of times a week and still good, - unlike it's model!
Generally, we press 1st side full time, flip over and do second side, then peel off carrier film of both sides while they are both still warm. if we allow to go fully cold, some products try to stretch the garment a bit, others sometimes feel like they are lifting the film (and these are all from the same manufacturer (from Magic touch))
If we feel the filnm is lifting, we repress with siliciln sheet top & bottom for a few secs.
Cheap films, - or free samples got from trade shows have not been so forgiving, so we have elected to live a simple live by only using the very best product from a really reliable source (again ... Magic touch, - but I am sure there are others)
All vinyls are about £5/m (if you buy a roll) - even if it is half as much again, so what, - you want a easy job, - so you can just sell and make great T's - and not piss about with failure or product that comes back to haunt you.
If you doubt the product you already have in stock, just throw something together on a gash top and put it through every laundry cycle your household does in a week and then decide/become an expert for yourself!
I wear our own tops all the time, - and over wash them so try to get an honest idea of how they are, - this forum is useful, - but best is to learn for your self ! (and then share across the forum!)
IMHO - Magic Touch stuff has never been beaten in any of my quality tests, - thou is has in price tests ....... what do you want ? - we buy from magic touch, - and have been printing T's since nearly 24 years - magic touch from day 1 for us, - I am sure there are similar stories from other people using other brands, but that is my story!

[ArferMo]

I'm not talking about plain old coloured vinyl stickers I'm referring to full colour heat transfers either sublimated/laser/solvent.

Fine with tees only where it's flat both sides but when you are working on polos or hoodies where you have say a breast logo and then turn it over to do something across the shoulders and you have the neck seam of a polo under the transfer or a zip or something then you have to use the foam to give an even press. Soldark and wow are not very fussy about double pressing but things like 123 or Siser films are VERY intolerant of double pressing.

Soldark and wow are stuffed with washing over 40C or tumbling, while many of the Siser films are fine up to 90C great for work wear.

It's horses for courses...... If it works for you great.

[mr-gobby]

Being new we just plumped to try a Siser printable vinyl via Grafityp first having been impressed by it on the course at Roland's Design Studio, the knowledge of the italian Siser rep was admirable, she knew her stuff but sadly doesn't post on the forum and I didn't get her number I don't think the quality of the product is in question, just looking for knowledge of the techniques people use to apply it reliably double sided. It was the first thing we'd printed with the stuff and I hadn't tested it but we will do others and then release the children on them meaning washing at least five times a week.
Thanks
Mark

[ArferMo]

Typical reason for using foam/sponge pad.... from TheMagicTouch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn3MzZ-WDwE

[RogerC]

Never had a problem with Siser. I use PU and today I did some front/back pressings with no problems...........at least no problems other than self induced ones. Note to self make sure all carrier backing is removed or transfer won't adhere....DOH

[mr-gobby]

Roger, thanks for post, standard time both sides and flipped while still warm? Have you washed and worn after doing it yourself doing this and had no issues?
Mark

[RogerC]

Roger, thanks for post, standard time both sides and flipped while still warm? Have you washed and worn after doing it yourself doing this and had no issues?
Mark

Standard time give or take a couple of seconds and peeled once I could do so without burning my fingers. Then back transfer applied, greaseproof paper top and bottom mainly for press plate protection than anything else and press as normal.

Done some previously for same person and had no negative feedback. I suspect the previous ones have been OK otherwise I would not be getting asked to do some more.