Equipment/TShirtPress

The TShirt Press transfers iron-on vinyl (NOT the sticky type!) to TShirts and other clothing. Cut it out with the vinyl cutter, transfer it with the heat press. Works like an iron, except with uniform temperature, pressure and it automatically stops when it's finished.

Automatic 16" x 20" Heat Press

The TShirt Press is orange, "Take Care". But you can use it without training.

Owners

• Mat Cook
• Matthew Taylor

Training

See the owners for occasional demos and training.

Warnings

• Machine gets hot, especially upper platen
• Do not trap any part of yourself or anyone else in it
• The lid springs up automatically on completion, do not be above it when this happens.
• Turn off after use
• Only use heat-press vinyl, NOT the sticky backed stuff.

Instructions

Read all instructions and warnings before you start

Create your vinyl masterpiece and load into Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) on the vinyl cutter.

• Mirror before cutting in SCAL.
  • Only ever use hot press Tshirt Vinyl. The sticky backed vinyl is unsuitable.
• Cut out with the vinyl cutter, upside down (ie glue/dull side up).
  • SCAL/Silver Bullet notes
    • Set to portrait. Speed = 200 (or more?). f=29. Usual cut height. 45 degree standard cutter.
    • "Origin Point". Set origin 0,0 to bottom right (ie cutter on right, material out back of machine)
• Weed it (remove the bits you don't want from the backing sheet) before you start.
• Optionally cut the backing sheet to size

Start using the TShirt press

• Be careful - the TShirt Press gets hot
• Check the machine is in order. No frayed wires, damage etc.
• With the machine off, check the lid can be pressed down firmly (it will not latch with the power off)
• Turn the machine on
• Lower the lid slightly to adjust the settings on the back. (Press warms up straight away - caution, hot!)
  • There are three modes, the default displays the current temperature at the top and the desired temp at the bottom
  • Click SET button and it moves to "SH". Adjust temp with up/down.
  • Click SET again and it moves to "ST. Adjust time (in seconds) with up/down.
  • Click SET once more to return to the default temperature indication.
  • Suggested settings: temp=160 time=16 (seconds). Varies with different vinyls.
• Insert your TShirt being VERY CAREFUL of the top bed. It's hot and easy to catch yourself on it, especially at the back
  • (The lower plate is cold.)
• Single layer of material on lower platen. TShirt is upside down but correct way out (make sure TShirt is no inside out)
  • Avoid wrinkles
• Place the vinyl on the TShirt (glue/dull side down, backing sheet up, correct way round, and upside down to match TShirt) on the TShirt.
• Make sure you, other users and objects are clear of the platens
• Carefully but firmly push the clamp down until it clicks into position. The timer will start and the lid will hold itself down.
  • Keep clear of the lid, it will pop up automatically on completion or at any time if power is cut.
  • When the timer has elapsed, the lid will gently pop up.
• Remove the backing sheet while still hot (this may differ between vinyls)
• Turn the machine off after use
• Carefully remove TShirt, being careful of the hot upper platen.

Warnings

• Do not trap any part of you or anyone else in the press.
• Do not trap any cables or other equipment in the press.
• The lid pops up when it's finished - do not be near it when it is clamped down
• Do not put anything in the heat press other than clothing. No paper, tissue, bacon or pizza. No matter how tempting that is.

Vinyl Stock

Heat press vinyl stock (NOT the sticky backed type) is available on the usual honesty box system. Please pay for all vinyl that you use or damage by the sheet. We restock from the honesty box and this expected to be self sustaining. We do not make any profit on the honesty boxes.

Risk Assessment