Heat press problems printing transfers

[jennova]

Hi there
Im having a few problems gettingmy heat press to print my transfers sucessfully
i started off ok with some sucesses but recently im having more and more problems getting the wholetransfer tocomeout right
imgetting very small pieces of the transfers not sticking to the t shirts
I contacted my supplier they toldmei didnt have enough pressure and toadd a old tshirt to bulk it up
i did this and again and again now i have 1 blanket and 2tshirts bulking it up
im getting sucessfull printing at the top of the heat press and it gets worse now as it gets towards the outer edge
i did try turning the t shirt soall4sides got time under the best edge thisresulted in movement and the transfer sticking to the t shirt as they are hot peel ones
I hate to bring the sexes into it but i wonder if im just not strong enough( as a woman) to turn the heat press to the pressure i need
it has been sotight ive been unable to release it before when i have had someone else screw it up
isit me not being strong enough or amidoing something very wrong, impretty sure other printers dont have as much as me bulking out there heatpresses

[John G]

What kind of press are you using, what transfer material, temp and times please?

Cheers John

[jennova]

its a fairly cheap 38x38cm press very basic
im following the transfers instructions of 200 degrees it suggested 8 seconds but tbh i have had to turn the transfer round so its having longer
im not 100 percent sure on the type of transfer it has a glossy back and is a hot peel paper that lifts off
they told mei need 50 ppi of pressure for these but my heat press doent ave a away of measuring
some have been sucessful so i know my ress is caable its justgetting everything right

[accdave]

Are the transfers from a reputable supplier ?

[jennova]

yes and they have been very helpful i have had 2 or 3 go brilliant its very frustrating

[TransferGraeme]

Hi Cerri

Are you pre-pressing the shirts to get rid of any moisture? The problem you describe sounds like what happens when shirts are a bit damp and you get a little pocket of steam under the transfer which causes the transfer not to stick. Pre-press the shirts for about 5 seconds (or until they stop steaming) before applying the transfer

Also you may find that going over on time can be as bad as being under - the transfers attach at the correct time and then detach themselves with additional heat.

[jennova]

no i havnt tried that ill try pre pressing them first i cut up a transfer today and tryed bits in different area and different time spans
the where very mixed results the best ones where at the handle end of the press and as you say i did notice if they had toomuch time they didnt workas well it seems very hit and miss atm

[Kaz]

I can't use my press for doing certain papers Jenn, I need my OH to do it for me, as you say, too much pressure is required, and I Can't get the press closed, and I'm a big strong strapping lass :(

[jennova]

gladto know it isnt just me i think your right about the different types as sublimination and someof the transfers work fine the ones made up oftiny printed dots i find impposible