Since no one else started a thread about Vinyl Cutting, I will.
My primary endeavor in this area is thermo-film cutting for heat application to garments. Think about all those Little League or Pop Warner teams with the names on the back of the jerseys.
Besides the sports applications, I do 'funny' shirts and some graphic art onto shirts as well.
The machine that I use is the same vinyl cutter that the sign industry utilizes for vinyl signs. And as such, I do some (very little) sign vinyl cutting and application, mostly to family and friends for their business, recreation vehicles and those Booster Window Stickers that parents want on their cars/SUVs, etc.
OK. Now there is a thread under Vinyl Cutters. Please chime in.
Hi Hugh,
I've used a Camm-1 for several years (and still do), plus a SP-540V since Nov. 2006. Primarily for signs but with the SP-540 we do decals and contour cut stuff.
Question for you: If I wanted to experiment with thermo-film, do I need a heat press or can I fake it on small jobs for now with a household iron?
Jeff Harrison said:Question for you: If I wanted to experiment with thermo-film, do I need a heat press or can I fake it on small jobs for now with a household iron?
The problem with household irons, besides uneven temperatures, and such, is that on their highest settings, (cotton for some, linen for other brands) you will get around 242 degrees F ( approx 116 degrees C). You need anywhere from 300 degrees F to above 350 degrees. And you need even temperature over the whole surface of the thermo-film that is being applied. Also, you should not have more a couple of degrees temperature drop on the heat platen during the time that the heat and pressure is being applied.
Another factor that the heat press is good for, is the application of the thermo-film(s) do require a pressure setting that is constant over the entire design area. Trying to do that with a hand iron is next to impossible.
If you want to experiment with a heat press, call around to the local embroidery shops or silk screen shops to see if they have one that you could rent some time on. You may even be able to obtain a used unit from a local shop, if they have one in the corner that they don't use very much.
Thanks Hugh,
Good ideas - I'm sure a few of us who have vinyl experience are curious about thermo-film.
Sometimes I get junk faxes from silk-screen & embroidery shops who seem like they are needing work, their prices are crazy low, and free setup. Makes me wonder why I would fool with it, when I could just take the design to them and the responsibility for final quality & workmanship lies on their shoulders.
our toy is the roland esx-500 (upgraded from the cj-500) it's a 54" printer / plotter and all sorts of fun.
We have a Summacut d60
We use this for doing vehicle graphics, signs, banners and garments
Keeps me off the streets
mamos
Vehicle Graphics, Truck Lettering, Boats, Commercial Signs, Banners, Magnets......etc.
CorelDRAW 12
Omega 2.5.1
Gerber Edge
Gerber GS15+
Ioline Studio 7 - 36
Regards, Dane
Hi Jeff,
As one of those "Embroidery" shops out here in Australia i would just like to say that we have spent a LOT of money on equipment and strive to supply the best quality possible to customers. We have a:
4 Head Tajima, 1 Head Tajima, Brother GT541 garment printer, Roland GX24, Coerl X3, Wilcom Design software (+$6,000) and several Inkjet printers as well as 5 PC's on site and the Heta Press.
At the moment i am not happy with the local suppliers of thermal garment materials as they are not providing us with the material and knowledge that we need to get better results.
I would not appreciate someone just dumping their "artwork" on my doorstep and expecting me to just take the responsibility for the final product. I joined this site to contribute to the industry as a whole and not to be dumped on by someone whos only contribution is "Good ideas - I'm sure a few of us who have vinyl experience are curious about thermo-film".