How to Order Small Screen Printed Transfer Numbers
Mar/100
Do you need a small number to place in a clip art such as a baseball, one to put on a sleeve or even to place on a cap? We have numbers available in sizes as small as 1”. To order, use Express Names™ and enter numerals instead of letters. Enter a row of digits or the specific digits you need. If ordering 1” numbers you can fit 8 in a row, at the 2” size you can fit 12 digits, at the 2.5” size you can fit 10 digits and at the 3” size you can fit 8 digits. These numbers are low cost, only $1.55/row and easy to apply with your heat press in just 4 seconds! You can peel them off to position the application or cut the release paper and apply with the paper backing, peeling off after pressing.
100% or 50/50 Fabrics – Which works best for transfers?
Mar/100
Two of the most common types of t shirts and hooded sweatshirts customers request are 100% cotton and 50/50 cotton/polyester blends. For applying screen printed transfers though, which one works best and is there any difference in the finished product after the heat transfer is applied? For the finished product the answer is, “No, there is no difference in the quality or durability of the finished product if using 100% or 50/50 t shirts or hoodies”. The plastisol ink will attach itself to the fabric fibers in the same way.
Now, before the custom transfer is applied to the garment is where you may see a difference. The difference between 100% cotton and a 50/50 is the amount of moisture in the fabric fibers. The 100% cotton t shirt or hooded sweatshirt will hold more moisture and will need to be prepressed for a longer duration to remove the moisture. This is done before the transfer is applied.
Which screen printed ink formulas work best for the different types of fabric?
50/50 Cotton Polyester blends – Goof Proof®, Hot Split, Polytrans, as well as every other heat transfer that Transfer Express manufactures.
100% Cotton – Same as 50/50.
Recommendation:
Hot Split transfers will apply to 100% cotton however a longer prepress time is needed. All you need to do is pre-press for a few more seconds or until you do not see any more “steam” being released.
If you are unsure of which transfer type will work best for your type of fabric our Dealer Services Team is more than happy to give you suggestions.
100% or 50/50 Fabrics – Which works best for transfers?Artwork Upload Area – New & Improved!
Feb/100
Transfer Express has refreshed and improved our file upload area of our web site to make it easier for you to get real-time statuses and images of your uploaded artwork.
What’s New!
Benefits for our Dealers:
• Faster review of your artwork
• Real-time statuses and updates of your uploaded artwork
• Thumbnails of artwork that you upload
• Upload progress bar for large files
• “My Uploads” area added to TransferExpress.com
Changes to be aware of:
• Our file upload area now requires a login
Dealers – Just login with the Dealer ID and password that you already use on TransferExpress.com
Potential Dealers – You must register to use our new upload area
• When? This is scheduled to go live on Thursday Feb. 18th, 2010
How to Become a Dealer - All you need is a Heat Press!
Artwork Upload Area – New & Improved!
February Heat Press Special – Free Freight!
Feb/100
Hotronix® Auto Clam Heat Press
For those Dealers of custom apparel or those just starting their t shirt printing business, Transfer Express is now offering FREE FREIGHT on all Hotronix® and Maxx™ style heat presses for the month of February. Hotronix® and Maxx™ heat presses are the most accurate machine for heat printing custom transfers. With any heat press purchased from Transfer Express you will receive a free 2010 Marketing Kit complete with the Easy Prints® Idea Book™, Color Selector, Display transfers and much more!
Also, Hotronix® ground ships the heat presses the “Same Day” if ordered by 1pm. Order your Hotronix® or Maxx™ heat press online or call our Dealer Services Department to place your order!
February Heat Press Special – Free Freight!Ink Formula Focus: Polytrans Screen Printed Transfers
Dec/090
Polytrans is another one of those types of transfers that we can say has been around since the start. It’s confusing to most because of its’ similarities to Goof Proof® but Polytrans does have its’ own advantages and is quite a simple transfer type to explain.
The secret to the ink formula for Polytrans is simple; it’s the Goof Proof® formula…shhh! Well no, it’s not a secret, just not well known but let’s change that. To start, it’s actually screen printed, with the same ink used by screen printers, plastisol ink. Printed onto a release paper, the ink receives an adhesive additive to make it easy to apply with a heat press. So this is the exact description of how a Goof Proof® transfer is printed. So what’s the difference?
Polytrans is all about how it is applied with the heat press. We mean the amount of time and temperature that is set on your heat press. On the instructions you will see that Polytrans is heated at 340 degrees for 10 seconds. This is different than Goof Proof® that is applied at 365 degrees for 4 seconds. Same formula, different time and temperature. That’s it! The lower temperature.
Use Polytrans if:
- Dark ink color is under a lighter ink color. (So the heat doesn’t smush them together)
- You’d like a softer feel than Goof Proof® but still a durable athletic feel
- Your apparel requires a lower temperature for when heat applying transfers etc.
- Test the difference between Goof Proof® and Polytrans, your heat press may have better results at the lower temperature and longer time.
So test a sample of this transfer type, or just grab what you know as a Goof Proof® sample and apply it using the 340 degrees for 10 seconds settings.
Ink Formula Focus: Polytrans Screen Printed TransfersGetting Started – Start with the Hotronix® Auto Open Clam
Dec/090
Auto Open Heat Press
Free Set of Platens in December!
If you are just getting started in the “iron-on” business the only investment needed is a heat press. A great quality starter heat press is the Hotronix® Auto Open Clam. This press has an auto open feature that gives you the convenience of an air press without a compressor. It is easy to operate with digital readouts for time, temperature and pressure, the three variables that can make or break your new business. The upper platen is 3/4” thick assuring you of even pressure and is Teflon® coated for easy clean up for any errors (we have all put one on upside down!) The clam style is space saving and this press can easily be carried onsite for pressing on demand at events. And during the month of December, order your heat press through Transfer Express® and you get a free set of platens. Now is the time to make that investment and get started with a quality heat press!
Getting Started – Start with the Hotronix® Auto Open ClamTransfers applied to Short Sleeves
Dec/090
Sleeve prints are something not thought of often when using transfers. Whether it’s because of the seam under the sleeve, the tools needed, or whether because you just never thought of it, pressing sleeves is thought of being a hassle…but it can be done. It might take slightly more time but here’s a few tips to help you earn profit from adding small sleeve prints to your next screen printed transfer order.
1) A mouse pad or Print Perfect Pad from Stahls’ ID Direct: These can easily be cut down to fit inside a sleeve and create a firm, flat surface…free of seams. No more seeing the seam through the ink!
2) When using an insert like the ones described above, don’t forget to adjust the pressure. Using a sleeve insert will make the press put more pressure than needed. Loosen up the pressure to a Medium to Firm pressure.
3) Do not use a pillow! A pillow used with screen printed or digital transfers from Transfer Express® will cause inconsistencies with pressure. Not having the pressure over the entire print at the same time will cause the transfer not adhering properly to the fabric.
4) The BEST WAY to apply a heat print transfer to a short sleeve shirt is to use a cap press! Cap presses, like the Stahls® Hotronix cap press below, are curved which helps “dress” the lower platen with the sleeve. Doing this keeps the bottom seam away from the print.
5) Gang sheets creates profit!: Using the transfer sheet to its maximum potential you can really add on profits to your sales. Offer the customer their logo or school mascot to the sleeve. See gang sheet pricing on the Easy Prints® Pricing grids in the Dealer Guide.
As always, ask a Dealer Services Representative at Transfer Express® about pressing on sleeves or about gang sheets if you have any questions.
Transfers applied to Short SleevesCustom Screen Printed & Digital Transfers – Live!
Nov/090
Trade Shows for 2010!
We are rolling out the plans for 2010 and we are more than excited about the upcoming trade shows we are exhibiting at. We know it’s early but planning ahead for some of these shows is a must. Start looking for plane tickets, hotel rooms, and staff to watch the shop and also budgeting the expenses. Never been to a trade show? Well there is so much to see and learn. Several shows have not only the exhibit hall with hundreds of companies showing you how they can boost your profits but also educational seminars with industry leaders teaching you about the garment decorating industry.
If you are unsure of what you might see at a show or what it looks like, check out the video on our trade show webpage. We had a video crew in our booth at the NBM Charlotte show last month to show you a sneak peek of what you might see in the Transfer Express booth.
Our main purpose at the exhibits is to show current businesses and start up businesses the benefits of adding custom screen printed and digital transfers into their business plan. It’s a great way to get started by just using a heat press and transfers and also a great add on to any existing business, embroiderers and screen printers alike.
Visit our Trade Show page at TransferExpress.com and look for a show near you in 2010!
We can’t wait to see you there!
Custom Screen Printed & Digital Transfers – Live!Tie Dye Shirts are Fun and Easy to Decorate!
Nov/090
Give your customer a new look combining tie dye shirts with screen printed plastisol transfers. Just follow the application instructions provided with your transfer order. The dyes are not affected by the heat press. Be creative and add a print to a tie die in the school or business colors or a black or white print to a multi-color tie die. Try positioning your prints on the side for a new look, too!
Custom transfer on tie-dyed
Custom transfer on darks
Same Design Different Colors
Start-Up T shirt Business
Oct/090
Just starting getting to know the t-shirt printing world? Well, there’s a lot of information out there to get you started on your way to making money. Where do you start? We have several videos online to help you understand what Transfer Express is and information on the products we make.
Whether it is to own your own screen printing business and make millions or whether you are looking for a small business to keep you busy at home, Transfer Express can give you an efficient way to get started. All you need is a heat press and transfers to start making custom apparel. Use this as a way to learn about your local customers and get familiar with the t-shirt business without spending your savings on fancy equipment. All you need is a heat press!
View videos, tutorials and past webinars here.
Start-Up T shirt Business
