Supply55, Inc. has several products available from NEPATA and KALA to assist in optimizing Direct to Film (DTF) workflow while improving throughput and profitability for DTF print providers.
Read more »How to Flash Press FlexCut™ Sticky LT
Heat Transfer Tip Saves Time & Money RTape has a new heat transfer solution that saves time and money. Here’s how. When decorating a heat sensitive fabric, RTape’s FlexCut™ Sticky LT (low temperature) is typically heat pressed at 235°F (115°C) for 17 seconds Read more »
The Differences Between Polyurethane and Vinyl Films
Many in our industry use the all-encompassing term “heat transfer vinyl” to refer to any heat transfer flex film. The fact of the matter is that many of the heat transfer films on the market today are not vinyl at all. Much of what is sold today is polyurethane or a polyurethane blend. Read more »
Stretching Garments Prior to Heat Pressing
Some screen printers, who print directly onto t-shirts or who print plastisol heat transfers, will stretch the garment before printing or heat pressing. By doing this, the weave of the shirt opens up allowing the ink to better penetrate the fibers of the fabric. This practice is believed to prevent cracking of the ink. Read more »
Laminating Application Tape and HotMask™ Films
Stick It In Reverse How you apply an application tape to a vinyl graphic or a HotMask™ transfer tape to a printed heat transfer applique can affect the appearance of the finished product. If you get wrinkles or bubbles in the paper application tape, I can just about guarantee that you will get wrinkles and […] Read more »
Puff, the Magic Inflatable Heat Transfer Film
Textile screen printers have used plastisol puff inks for years. These inks contain a special additive that causes the ink to expand after it is exposed to heat. RTape/SEF FlexCut Sweet Puff films work in much the same way. Read more »
Introducing Tatoo Printable Heat Transfer Films
RTape Corp. (South Plainfield, NJ) introduces its SEF Tatoo heat transfer film, which is a white, printable, multi-layer polyurethane construction on a polyester liner or carrier. Tatoo films are printable using a wide range of digital printers, including solvent, ecosolvent and latex systems. The brilliance of the facestock and its chemical formulation allow for vibrant […] Read more »
Correcting Plotter Cutting Problems When Cutting Heat Transfer Films
Troubleshooting Checklist If you are having problems cutting polyurethane heat transfer films, check the following possible causes: Read more »
Which Films Stick to Coated Fabrics?
Just before the beginning of WWII, American chemists developed synthetic polyamides. Polyamides are complex molecules called polymers, which are comprised of smaller “amide” monomers. In nature, these polyamide molecules occur as proteins in fibers, such as silk and wool. In the modern world, the best known polyamides are nylons. Because of their strength, elasticity and […] Read more »
How Calendered Vinyl Films are Made
I usually compare the calendering process to rolling out pie dough. In reality, the manufacturing process is a little more complex than that. In the calendering process, PVC material is squeezed between gigantic, heated, polished-steel rollers that form the vinyl into a very thin sheet of film. Read more »
