After you heat press an applique to a garment, how long should you wait before peeling the carrier or the hot mask from the applique? A number of variables come into play. The answer depends in part on the physical properties of the hot melt adhesive and the type of carrier used on the heat transfer film. Of course, there’s more to it than that.
Each film is a little different from one manufacturer to the next, from one product line to the next. You should refer to the information that the manufacturer provides. In most cases the manufacturer’s guidelines are a good starting point. For example, you can remove the carrier from most of the RTape polyurethane films, such as FlexCut Sticky and Tatoo, in three to five seconds after heat pressing. VelCut flock films require more cool down time after heat pressing. For the flock appliques, you should wait at least 20 seconds before removing the carrier. These guidelines work for applications to most garments.
The Role of the Liner or Carrier
The strength of adhesive bond to the fabric is opposed by the peel adhesion value of the liner. Peel adhesion is the amount of force, measured in grams, required to remove the film from its carrier. Peel adhesion of the liner depends on its physical properties, such as surface finish (glossy or matte), acrylic mass, silicone mass, high release chemical components.
Manufacturers use a variety of release liners with a wide range of release values. If the release value of the carrier is low, a hot peel is generally possible, immediately after the heat press opens. If the release liner has a medium release value, a warm peel is recommended after three to five seconds after heat pressing. The higher the peel adhesion value is, the longer you will need to wait before removing the liner or carrier. When the release strength of the liner or carrier is high, a cold peel is recommended, which can take twenty to thirty seconds.
Not all liners perform according in the manner that I just described. Some liners have unusual performance characteristics. For example, in some cases a liner can exhibit very low release strength when it is hot, but the release value can build dramatically as it cools. In this instance, a hot peel is required. Conversely, another liner may have very high release strength, when it is hot, but the release can decrease as it cools. In this case, a cold peel would be recommended.
What’s important, is that you carefully qualify the products that you are working with so that you understand the performance characteristics, before you use these materials in production.
When an applique does not adhere properly, here are some remedies that you may try:
- Heat pressing is a function of time, temperature and pressure. First, check your heat press settings for time and temperature. If these are set at the specified levels, then increase the pressure. You may also need to test actual temperature of the platen with an IR temperature gun.
- Unusually large appliques may require an increase of the heat pressing time. This will give the hot melt adhesive more time to transition from a solid non-sticky mass to a liquid that will flow out onto the surface of the fabric. I like to compare this to grilling a steak. It takes more time to cook a thick steak than a hamburger. Generally, increasing the press temperature will not help.
- Cool down time is important. After the adhesive flows into the texture of the garment, you must allow it time to solidify and mechanically grab onto or adhere to the garment.
As seen on hingstssignpost.blogspot.com
