Heat press machine is the machine that presses a transfer onto an imprintable substrate. Using high temperatures and heavy pressures for a certain amount of time, the transfer is permanently embedded into the product. Today’s article is going to share some common questions about a calender.
WHAT IS A HEAT TRANSFER?
A transfer is made up of carrier paper and inks. When heated to a certain temperature and pressed with a significant amount of pressure for a certain amount of time, the transfer inks are passed over to the imprintable material. Some inks are adhered and embedded to the surface of the material, while others (namely, sublimation) permeate the coating of the material.
Transfers can be heat pressed onto fabrics (both natural and synthetic) using standard plastisol supplier transfers, color copier, or thermal wax & ink-jet computer transfer paper. Heat transfers can also be printed onto mugs, plates, tiles, mousepads, ceramics, metals, glass, and wood. For these substrates, sublimation transfers are used. The important factor when heat pressing with sublimation transfers onto non-natural fabric substrates is to be sure the material has the proper polyester synthetic coating, as well as a UV coating if protection from the sun and other rays is an issue. For this reason, it is best to get the materials pre-coated from a supplier.
WHAT CAN I MAKE WITH A HEAT PRESS Machine?
The following are some of the far more common items often heat pressed by a calender heat transfer machine. But, the list by no means ends here.
* T-Shirts
* Caps
* Ceramic Plates
* Ceramic Tiles
* Mugs
* Mouse Pads
* Tote Bags
* Lettering
* Jigsaw Puzzles
* Wood / Metals
* Paper Memo Cubes
* Rhinestones/Crystals
* Other Misc. Fabrics & Materials
WHAT IS THE BEST HEAT PRESS Machine?
The answer to that question depends upon a variety of factors, including what products you plan to press, how much you plan to use your heat press, and even how much space you have to work with. To help you weigh the heat press options, please read our “How To Choose A Heat Press” post.
