Numbers, Adhesives, Coverage, & 2 color Transfers

Here is the place to post on topics related to screen printed plastisol transfers, papers and adhesive powders. Methods of printing and semi curing would be appropriate here.

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upperhandprinting
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Numbers, Adhesives, Coverage, & 2 color Transfers

Post by upperhandprinting »

I work at a print shop that does hockey jerseys. We're looking in to printing our own number transfers. We'd love to get in to printing the NHL fonts as no where really offers that service. It's quite an undertaking, but if we can get the process perfected, doing the different screens wouldn't be an issue. Here's my questions:

I'm having trouble getting enough coverage on the transfers. Black on light colors works well, but any dark garment is showing through. Obviously I need to lay more ink down. What do you think is the best way to do that? I don't like the idea of more off contact as pushing ink outside of the stencil is pretty easy when you're printing on transfer paper. I'm thinking of making the stencil much thicker. How many coats would be necessary to achieve more ink deposit? I'm thinking 3/3 would be a good place to start but thought someone might have knowledge in this.

We've been using medium grain adhesive powder. I'm not sure what these different grains are for? Any knowledge would be helpful. I doubt this will affect coverage but who knows.

NHL fonts are usually 2 colors. Which means doing 2 color transfers. Do you print the first color, powder, dryer, then repeat for the second color? Or just print, powder, print, powder, dryer? Any better ideas on lining up screens besides just marking the pallet on where to put the paper down?

Thanks for the help everyone!
Craig
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Re: Numbers, Adhesives, Coverage, & 2 color Transfers

Post by ApeShirt »

Hey Craig,
I can't answer with certainty on the opacity issue as I haven't done transfers for dark garments yet but from all my reading on the subject it seems you need to be certain you're using opaque inks with a fairly heavy coat. Have you tried to h/f/h? As far as the powder goes, you apply that after the print is complete and then semi-cure it. So print both colors on the transfer paper and then apply the powder and flash to semi-cure being careful not to fully cure. Here's how I would try it: print the first color, flash it and print/flash again. Print the 2nd color, flash and print again. Apply the powder to the entire image, remove excess powder and flash it enough just to semi-cure it. Hope this helps. Please let us know the outcome.
Greg
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Re: Numbers, Adhesives, Coverage, & 2 color Transfers

Post by Catspit Productions »

Yeah, let’s see. I think I’ll ask Saati to help out on making thicker stencils and tips on the adhesive powder but Greg is heading you in the right direction.

You would have to print the first color, flash cure it and then print the second color. I think you should be able to get the opacity for any HO inks on the paper with the right screen set up. As you stated we might want to use a thicker stencil here for use with high opacity inks. A softer squeegee will also help and the proper off contact of course. But lower not higher. Generally we do not adjust opacity by use of off contact. That can cause more issues than it’s worth.

You can make marks on the pallet for the transfer paper and then build them up with thin cardboard so you can “butt” the transfer paper into place using 3 corners.

The adhesive powder could be applied last or after each color printed so as to take more adhesive while the ink is wet. Honestly, I have not done this in a long, long time and I don’t recall how I did it. I remember doing a 2 color hat transfer but I forget when I applied the adhesive. You could check Tee Shirt Forums perhaps on this but I would experiment with that part to ensure the best bond with the substrate as you would be doing this commercially on a larger volume. A couple of tests doing it both ways and washing the garment could save major embarrassments.

Oh and you can do a white under base last if you want to ensure great color and opacity. Doing it that way you would add the adhesive immediately after the full white under base. Only the under base would touch the shirt so that is the only ink that would need the adhesive.
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Re: Numbers, Adhesives, Coverage, & 2 color Transfers

Post by ApeShirt »

I've only done plastisol transfer for light garments and have had great results. I'm would think the key for dark garments would be just making sure you have enough HO ink laid on the paper. Heck, maybe even try h/f/h/f/h. Not 100% of the ink will transfer to the garment when pressed. I have no idea if that would put so much down on the garment that it leaves it feeling like you ice skate on it. Wouldn't hurt to try one.
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upperhandprinting
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Re: Numbers, Adhesives, Coverage, & 2 color Transfers

Post by upperhandprinting »

We'll do a bunch of tests to see what works best. But as far as thickness, it's actually okay with hockey jerseys as most actually like that feeling. Because of pro jerseys being embroidered patches and stiff, people like feeling like a pro. ;)

Thanks guys!

I'll let you know what we find that works best. I'm thinking a thicker stencil, and to do a white base on top of the transfer for dark garments should give us a good opacity.
Craig
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Re: Numbers, Adhesives, Coverage, & 2 color Transfers

Post by Catspit Productions »

Here is a video by MacDermid Autotype that shows a method of achieving thicker stencils. They demonstrate the method with MacDermid emulsion but any emulsion could be used to do this:

http://www.macdermidautotype.com/produc ... k-stencils

Maybe that will help some too ;)
Jonathan Monaco
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upperhandprinting
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Re: Numbers, Adhesives, Coverage, & 2 color Transfers

Post by upperhandprinting »

Thanks so much Jonathan! That's a really neat idea. I'll have to give that try. We've got the fan already sitting there. Who know!! haha

thanks again!
Craig
Upper Hand Printing - Custom band merch
http://www.upperhandprinting.com
Trumpet The Harlot - My band
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sdbordeaux
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Re: Numbers, Adhesives, Coverage, & 2 color Transfers

Post by sdbordeaux »

You can also cut cut your numbers and lettering with vinyl. Thermoflex or Thermogrip (for mesh materials) is perfect for this type of application and comes in many colors. This material can also be layered perfectly with no issues and adheres to jerseys nicely. There is also a material called GORILLA GRIP II that will adhere to difficult fabrics such as tightly woven nylons, oxfords, satins, crinkle, and rip stop, making it ideal for equipment bags and jackets.
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upperhandprinting
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Re: Numbers, Adhesives, Coverage, & 2 color Transfers

Post by upperhandprinting »

We use thermoflex for names. Even if it weren't a much more expensive option, I actually hate the quality you get with this type of process. I don't even like plastisol transfers. I would love to be able to direct print them, but that's just a crazy expensive and long process to set up. Vinyl might be the quickest method though. I've never layered thermoflex. Do you use tape and layer them before pressing? Or press the first color and then the second color on top? Thanks for your post!
Craig
Upper Hand Printing - Custom band merch
http://www.upperhandprinting.com
Trumpet The Harlot - My band
http://www.trumpettheharlot.com
sdbordeaux
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Re: Numbers, Adhesives, Coverage, & 2 color Transfers

Post by sdbordeaux »

Just hit your background color for 2 seconds (this will tack it down and keep shrink to a minimum) and peel hot. Then line up the foreground color, cover with a sheet and press for the full time, temp, and pressure. Peel hot.

As for the quality...use stahls thermoflex. It is the best in my opinion.
Sean
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Roland GX24, Hotronix 16x20 Auto open, CorelDraw x5, Cut Studio 1.5, WinPCSIGN PRO 2012
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