First Vinyl Tee Shirt looked great until....

[mikeoooze]

Produced my first vinyl tee shirt a couple of days ago....MDP Hot Flex vinyl, white on a red Gildan Tee Shirt, followed their instructions, 160 degrees for 15 seconds, hot peeled, looked nice. Then, washed and tumble dried it 48 hours later, now it looks s***e. Corners lifting, and bumps on the vinyl. Any advice appreciated before I start on the Stella Artois....

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[Renniwano]

Do you do a second press once you've hot peeled ??

[mikeoooze]

Do you do a second press once you've hot peeled ??

No I didn't...no mention of doing that in the MDP instructions. Would that help towards solving the problem?

[Renniwano]

It isn't mentioned on their instructions but I read it on here a long time ago, back when I started.. and it has definitely helped me..

I had the odd item where the very edges were lifting slightly, when I looked on here and someone mentioned that by removing the backing it is technically pulling the vinyl from the fibres.. so did the second press every time from then..

I just use some silicone paper over the top so it doesn't melt to my press.. lol

[mikeoooze]

Do I still need to use silicone paper even though my press has a built in teflon cover?

[Renniwano]

Probably not.. I would still do it out of habit though lol..

[mikeoooze]

So, How long would you repress the garment for, and is there anything you do to the garment before applying the vinyl, e.g. prepress to get rid of any moisture etc?

[Renniwano]

I pre press for a few seconds.. (helps get any creases out too lol), I press for my flex time.. I peel either hot or cold.. Then I repress usually for around 5 or so seconds..

[sharyn]

Yes a second press makes a huge difference ..did for me anyway. This was something that came up a few times when I was researching. I now do it each time I make something ...just to be sure.

[New Horizons]

The other thing to check of course, is that the temperature on your display is the temperature that is actually the temperature on your heat plate. Your temperature not being hot enough can also produce the same issues.

Try experimenting with raising the temperature by 5 degrees, or by pressing for 20 seconds instead.