DSF

Just had a friend visit who is printing designs onto 100% cotton, natural shopping bags. They're printing using iron-on paper but not happy with the finish.

I suggested vinyl or digital transfer as a good alternative. I pressed a bag for them using one of their paper which details that it can be heat pressed, 160c for 40 seconds. Transfer adhered well but very slight colour change between pressed/unpressed areas. It appears this is down to a high oil content in the bags.

Would pressing vinyl at a lower temp. give the same problem? Would we be better off sourcing different bags?

Were the bags made in the Indian sub-continent?

A problem with heat-pressing fabric products from that part of the world can be the insecticide sprays/treatments which have to be applied to products from that part of the world which can cause discolouration under a heat press. There are sprays which don't discolour which good suppliers will ensure are used but they are a more expensive option and not used as standard.

A simple solution can be to put the bags in the tumble dryer for 10-15 minutes at a medium heat - doesn't always work but will in 80% of cases by my experience!

Thanks Graeme. Not sure where they're made, I'll try and find out. She's left me a bag here to play with so I'll have a go with the tumble dry technique!

Looks like they were indeed made over that way. Anyone know of any that can be sourced who don't use the sprays?

Surely those would be better for screen printing?

Yes they would. My friend sells them to fund a scrapbook hobby though so it's very small numbers and easier to do in-house for that reason.
She's looking at getting a flat press having seen mine today so I'd advised she start to use either vinyl or digital transfers

In my experience the Westford Mill and Quadra bags available from UKL, Pencarrie, etc are pretty safe for pressing.

TransferGraeme wrote:In my experience the Westford Mill and Quadra bags available from UKL, Pencarrie, etc are pretty safe for pressing.

ditto - very good (apart from the odd crease you cant get out)