Recommended workflow – Application

A recommended application workflow!

Whilst it may be obvious for many who’ve worked in our industry for years, for others it’s less obvious how you should go about printing on clothing. That’s why in this article we take you through the process step-by-step to give you a structured way of working that will produce a great result every time.

How do I find out what settings I should configure on my heat press before applying my heat transfers to a garment?

Before you begin applying, check out some of our tips on what a structured printing workflow should look like.

Start by packing up and sorting the garments you want to apply prints to.
Decide where on your garment you want to apply your transfer prints.
Prepare the place where you’ll be putting the garment after application to make it easier to pack the garments.
Calibrate the laser or create a template with the desired measurements for correct placement on the garment every time.
Pre-heat the sub-plate for 15-20 seconds to ensure a uniform result with every heat transfer.
Try it out! Test things out in order to get your workflow running smoothly, your heat press configured just right and your finished printed garments up to scratch according to your/your customer’s specs.
Get producing!
Start preparing the next garment as soon as you’ve lowered the heating iron for printing. Once the application is finished and the heating iron is lifted, you’re ready to start on the next garment. This is a highly effective way of working that produces a high-quality result!

General instructions for applying heat transfers

Preparation

Make sure you enter the correct settings on your heat press before you start.

See the instructions above for the recommended settings for your product. Adjust the pressure on the machine based on the size of the sub-plate you’re using. We recommend a pressure of 2–3 bar for a small sub-plate and 5–6 bar for a large sub-plate on the heat press.

Preheating garments

Make sure the garment is laid out straightly & smoothly and that no seams, zips or buttons are in the way. The entire surface touching the sub-plate has to be lying smooth to ensure the best result.

We recommend preheating the garment for at least 5 seconds before the heat transfer is applied. Preheating makes the garment shrink, giving you a nice flat area that the print can stick to properly.

Applying your heat transfer

Place your heat transfer on the garment and begin application. Our heat presses automatically end the application when the set time ends.

ATTENTION! On heat presses not manufactured by us, you may need to end the application manually.

Remove the plastic carrier

Once the transfer is complete, remove the plastic carrier. When using STARK & FLEX Heat Transfer, the carrier can be removed while it’s still warm. When using REFLEX Heat Transfer, the carrier should only be removed once it’s cold.

Check your transfer

Once you have finished applying your transfer, we always recommend running your hand over the transfer to ensure that the adhesive has melted correctly. You will easily be able to tell if the adhesive has not melted correctly. If this happens, place a piece of protective paper (art: 3016) on top with the matte side facing down and run the heating iron over it for 10 seconds. Then immediately remove the protective paper and your application is complete.