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Flash
07-12-2009, 05:18 PM
Stole this baby off Feebay today...........
http://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/14/61/63/36/thermo10.jpg
This will save me a HUGE amount of time curing my screenprinted Plastisol Transfers for T-shirts! I was using a Heat-Gun!

Phil

Market Mik
07-12-2009, 06:04 PM
Can you do pizzas on that phil? might be handy if the t shirts don't work lol :lol:

Stitch Up
07-12-2009, 06:22 PM
Post some pictures of your screen printing equipment and some of the shirts you do Phil.

Always interested to see what others are using and doing.

How much of a steal was it ;)

John

Flash
07-12-2009, 07:06 PM
Can you do pizzas on that phil? might be handy if the t shirts don't work lol :lol:

Anything up to 15" Mik. Thin & Crispy or Deep Pan?
Please send your Order to: [email:2u3kslaw]pizzacookedonesideonly@dsf.com[/email:2u3kslaw] or PM me directly :D

Phil

Flash
07-12-2009, 07:15 PM
Post some pictures of your screen printing equipment and some of the shirts you do Phil.

Always interested to see what others are using and doing.

How much of a steal was it ;)

John

Hi John,
I did have a 4 Colour 4 Station Carousel but found that printing direct onto shirts created a lot of waste if the design wasn't too popular :(
I now have a LARGE Vacuum Bed Manual Screen-Printing Bench which I use to print Plastisol Transfers. Now if someone comes into the shop and wants one of my shirts I simly press it onto the shirt to order 8)
You really don't want to see the shirts I produce, shall we say they are slightly on the offensive side of the market http://illiweb.com/fa/i/smiles/affraid.gif They sometimes shock me & i'm a fully grown man!
I paid £32 odd for it + A bit of postage (£20.00) That's cheap!
It's really a Thermography Machine used in the printing game for 'posh' raised lettering. But have you seen the price of T-Shirt Tunnel Dryers? This will do the same job 8)

Phil

Paul
07-12-2009, 07:19 PM
I have seen them! prices r killer for curring tunel! what tempo you can get with this beauty?? I presume it must be at least 200C...


Paul

Flash
07-12-2009, 08:39 PM
I have seen them! prices r killer for curring tunel! what tempo you can get with this beauty?? I presume it must be at least 200C...


Paul
Hi Paul,
It's going to take a little trial & error to achieve the optimum belt speed and temperature but what I will achieve in the long term is consistancy.
With plastisol transfers you are not looking for a full-cure just a gelling over of the plastisol ink. The final cure is achieved when you are heat pressing the transfer to the garment.
I add a powdered adhesive to my ink to guarantee a good ahesion at the moment but I may be able to do away with this when I am able to get a consistant cure of my transfers.
So far I have found this the most cost effective way to decorate t-shirts but like all methods, it does have it's limitations ;)

Phil

GoldRapt
07-12-2009, 11:08 PM
Thatbay would look good next to my Adana Press.
You gonna do trade transfers for the likes of me please Phil?

Flash
07-12-2009, 11:25 PM
Thatbay would look good next to my Adana Press.
You gonna do trade transfers for the likes of me please Phil?

Your right it is an old piece of kit but with a couple of hours and a paint brush I will have it spic & span 8) Fully functional though I am told 8)
I have sent Market Mik a couple of samples of my Plastisol Transfers, let's see how he gets on with them before general release ;)
I must say though, I have been decorating my shirts this way since September and no complaints or returns yet, so I am pleased 8)
I have tried many methods of decorating t-shirts including Direct Screen Printing onto the shirt, inkjet transfer, laser transfer and Cut Vinyl and this method is the most cost effective, durable & has the best 'hand' of all methods.
The one limitation so far is that I am only producing single colour transfers but the cost per transfer in materials is about 5-7 pence 8) So profit is potentially HUGE :shock:

Phil

accdave
07-12-2009, 11:31 PM
You gonna do trade transfers for the likes of me please Phil?

I'm sure I have asked on here before if somebody offers this service, but it's been a long day and I'm too tried to search :D . Count me in if it becomes a go-er :D

Flash
07-12-2009, 11:34 PM
You gonna do trade transfers for the likes of me please Phil?

I'm sure I have asked on here before if somebody offers this service, but it's been a long day and I'm too tried to search :D . Count me in if it becomes a go-er :D

Guy's, form an orderly queue :D I guess you are all going to want your own designs?

Phil

GoldRapt
07-12-2009, 11:48 PM
If you could explain the proces maybe we could do our own designs in preperation for your processes.?

Flash
07-12-2009, 11:55 PM
If you could explain the proces maybe we could do our own designs in preperation for your processes.?

Simples :D If I can do it, it must be!
Your design in single colour (BLACK) print onto Clear OHP Film in black. If the print is not dark enough print out two and I will then 'double them up'. I then expose this image/text onto a screen (in reverse) which is coated with Light-Sensitive emulsion. Et Voila 8) One screen which is ready to print thousands of impressions.

Phil

John G
08-12-2009, 12:22 AM
Hi Phil, I've been looking at your new dryer - the element part is very small, are you sure your going to get enough heat to semi dry your transfers. I do a fair bit of t'shirt printing but have never done transfers so it will be interesting to hear how you get on. Also how are you going to keep themn flat going through the heat?.

Regarding thermography - a good few years ago I worked at a screen/litho printers and they had a few rotaprints printing invoices/business cards etc. When I wasn't busy printing t'shirts one of my jobs was putting the fresh litho printed business cards through my tunnel dryer. I had to individually shake them in a box full of the thermo powder then place them on the dryer belt. The powder was like a very fine plastic which stuck to fresh print - when heated it melts together and goes back to plasticy form and looks really good on business cards. It was always the solicitors that had this kind of work done. The problem was my dryer was 2 floors up from the rotaprints and after a day of running up and down stairs I was bloody knackered - the things you do to get a basic wage when your young :lol:

Flash
08-12-2009, 10:58 AM
Hi Phil, I've been looking at your new dryer - the element part is very small, are you sure your going to get enough heat to semi dry your transfers. I do a fair bit of t'shirt printing but have never done transfers so it will be interesting to hear how you get on. Also how are you going to keep themn flat going through the heat?.
Hi John,
I have a theory :idea: Most of my designs are quite small (slogans) so this bit of kit should be ok for these. If I need to do larger prints it maybe back to the Heat Gun :roll:
As for keeping them flat going through the machine, I have been doing a little studying ;) If you heat my trasfers from below they curl like a b@gger! but if you place them in a heat press (heat from above) they flatten out :D If my plan comes together I will be a happy bunny :D If not, mince pies up to christmas then pizzas afterwards :lol:
I print my transfers onto Baking Parchment Paper which although very flimsey is readily available and cheap http://illiweb.com/fa/i/smiles/icon_cheers.png You can also use Greaseproof Paper for 'Hot-Split' Transfers, as the plastisol ink sticks to this paper, this paper achieves a more retro/distressed print.
The beauty of the transfer method of printing shirts is that you can print a shirt on demand. We stock various colour shirts, when a customer comes in the shop there is a huge choice open to them. Firstly they choose a design then the colour and size shirt they would like, I then simply heat press the design to the shirt.
This method is also great if you have a regular customer who comes in from time to time and orders X shirts, just bring out the pre-made transfers and print up the shirts.
Also for events, when you don't know how many of each design you are going to sell, take loads of transfers and a heat press and print to order. It literally takes seconds to produce a shirt using this method. And no real waste too!

Phil

John G
08-12-2009, 11:12 AM
Hi Phil,
I had a friend who, many years ago, printed with a similar method as you describe. He worked at a large company that produced all the flock transfers for adidas and nike - using ovens to cure the flock prints.

I still use the tunnel dryer, to dry t'shirts, that I used many moons ago to do the thermography. Excellent bit of kit and I think I've been using it now, on and off, for well over 25 years. Its the same elements but has had 1 new belt and 1 new roller over the years.

Cheers John

Cheers John

Flash
08-12-2009, 11:27 AM
John, I love kit like this, not pretty but functional! Takes you back to an era here in Britain when we were making stuff not importing it all :(

Phil

John G
08-12-2009, 11:38 AM
The dryers I have are both over 20 years old and are british made. The newer one was built to order and hasn't had anything done to it over the years. It has adjustable height elephants, sorry elements but I prefer the older machine.

Same goes with my carousels, built to last - thats why both companies are now long gone unfortunately. :cry:

Cheers john

Paul
08-12-2009, 05:10 PM
haha... you u r genius mate :) i got to try that as well... ;)

any of you screen printing guys got spare screen for sale? I dont care how dirty it is :) I can reclaim it my self :) All I need is one screen with fine mesh. about 60 or little bit finer. I am asking as I dont want to got to supplier and pay loads if this is only a hobby :)
Also I need scoop coater :) about 12" ish. again. second hand will do me :)

any one of you guys? please http://illiweb.com/fa/i/smiles/icon_cheers.png

Stitch Up
08-12-2009, 05:14 PM
The dryers I have are both over 20 years old and are british made. The newer one was built to order and hasn't had anything done to it over the years. It has adjustable height elephants, sorry elements but I prefer the older machine.

Same goes with my carousels, built to last - thats why both companies are now long gone unfortunately. :cry:

Cheers john

Any pics John :)

John G
08-12-2009, 05:35 PM
trying to put 2 pics on :oops: how do you do it ?

John G
08-12-2009, 05:53 PM
Ok, thionk I might have it:


well that didn't work :oops:

John G
08-12-2009, 05:59 PM
didn't work again

Paul
08-12-2009, 07:27 PM
check it on here how to upload pictures :)
link (http://www.dyesubforum.co.uk/general-dye-sub-chit-chat-f10/uploading-an-image-t202.htm#1495)

Flash
08-12-2009, 09:05 PM
didn't work again
Come on old boy http://illiweb.com/fa/i/smiles/icon_tongue.png If I can do it so can you 8)

Phil

Flash
08-12-2009, 09:12 PM
haha... you u r genius mate :) i got to try that as well... ;)

any of you screen printing guys got spare screen for sale? I dont care how dirty it is :) I can reclaim it my self :) All I need is one screen with fine mesh. about 60 or little bit finer. I am asking as I dont want to got to supplier and pay loads if this is only a hobby :)
Also I need scoop coater :) about 12" ish. again. second hand will do me :)

any one of you guys? please http://illiweb.com/fa/i/smiles/icon_cheers.png
Hi Paul,
Coating trough Here (http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m38.l1313&_nkw=coating+trough&_sacat=See-All-Categories) OR I have used a piece of plastic guttering with end caps in the past :shock:
While you are on there pick yourself up a screen. What did we do before Feebay :?:
Sorry but all my screens are tied up with my own designs or customers :oops: Sorry.

Phil

Paul
08-12-2009, 10:49 PM
thats fine mate! thanx for link :)

John G
09-12-2009, 05:25 PM
One more try:
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/61ade/Printroomdryer.jpg

John G
09-12-2009, 05:25 PM
and my trusty carousel
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/61ade/Printroomcarousel.jpg

Paul
09-12-2009, 05:30 PM
good stuff mate! I wish i complete gear like that!

GoldRapt
09-12-2009, 07:53 PM
I'd be like a kid in a sweet shop with all that gear.

Flash
09-12-2009, 10:46 PM
Nice kit John 8)
Looks like you have a little more space than me!
I've got even less space now as the new Thermograph machine (Transfer dryer) turned up today. It was sent beautifully packaged and with a full VAT receipt.
I didn't have a lot of time to 'play' before closing the shop but long enough to fire her up! All works fine but the rubber drive-belt for the conveyor is a little perrished so will need replacing soon, looks very similar to one off an old Hover Junior :idea:
Otherwise it appears that by showing it a rag will make it look a little better 8)
Can't wait to run my first batch of Transfers through it and get the settings right.
Onwards & upwards.

Phil

John G
09-12-2009, 10:51 PM
Spot on - its nice when things turn out better than whats expected.

About space - i've got none left. 6 months ago I moved from a 1700sqft unit to a 527sqft unit. Everythings shoehorned in and my other dryer and carousel are in my garage. :D Still managed to fit 2 full size washout booths, a 30 x 40 hand bench with racks, and a pad printer into the new unit though. :D

Flash
10-12-2009, 09:48 AM
Spot on - its nice when things turn out better than whats expected.

About space - i've got none left. 6 months ago I moved from a 1700sqft unit to a 527sqft unit. Everythings shoehorned in and my other dryer and carousel are in my garage. :D Still managed to fit 2 full size washout booths, a 30 x 40 hand bench with racks, and a pad printer into the new unit though. :D

I've got a spare drying rack here John, if you want it for your garage ;)

Phil

John G
10-12-2009, 10:08 AM
Already got a spare set of racks in the garage too! With all the kit in there I could be running a second print shop. http://illiweb.com/fa/i/smiles/icon_lol.gif

GoldRapt
10-12-2009, 06:57 PM
Stole this baby off Feebay today...........
http://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/14/61/63/36/thermo10.jpg
This will save me a HUGE amount of time curing my screenprinted Plastisol Transfers for T-shirts! I was using a Heat-Gun!

Phil

I just realised, That's a Caslon Thermograph without the metal shielding on it.
If you can refit the metal shielding your operational costs should go down.

Flash
10-12-2009, 10:23 PM
I just realised, That's a Caslon Thermograph without the metal shielding on it.
If you can refit the metal shielding your operational costs should go down.
Hi GoldRapt,
I don't think this is actually a 'Caslon' machine it has got a manufaturers sticker on it but off the top of my head cannot remember their name, I think they are from Cornwall.
Metal shielding http://illiweb.com/fa/i/smiles/icon_scratch.png Where does that go on the machine :?: And how will it affect the opperational costs :?:

Ran my first batch of Transfers through today, the belt is slipping a tad due to the problems mentioned above but superb http://illiweb.com/fa/i/smiles/icon_cheers.png what a labour saver. No problems with the paper curling either, my theory proved correct 8)

Phil

GoldRapt
11-12-2009, 07:07 PM
Hi GoldRapt,
I don't think this is actually a 'Caslon' machine it has got a manufaturers sticker on it but off the top of my head cannot remember their name, I think they are from Cornwall.
Metal shielding http://illiweb.com/fa/i/smiles/icon_scratch.png Where does that go on the machine :?: And how will it affect the opperational costs :?:

Ran my first batch of Transfers through today, the belt is slipping a tad due to the problems mentioned above but superb http://illiweb.com/fa/i/smiles/icon_cheers.png what a labour saver. No problems with the paper curling either, my theory proved correct 8)

Phil

http://www.caslon.co.uk/Thermography_Machine_Offline_Leaflet_2008.pdf

Its about heat entrapment, getting up to temp quicker saves you dosh the shileding would help achieve that I think.