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?
Hi Jeff. With the household iron you don't know the temperature the iron have. Some films need as low as 330 degrees or as high as 370 for 10 to 20 seconds.
Hope this help.
Rey
Jeff,
If you want to try experimenting with a household iron, I'd recommend that you try one of the products made for nylon//mesh.
Film made for nylon applicaton can be used on cotton and 50/50......... just as well. Most people don't go that route because the film is usually more expensive.
The heat required is minimal........some products don't even require a cover sheet............and can be pressed directly.........so there's no risk of you screwing up your iron with melted vinyl! Yikes.
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.
Jeff Harrison said: 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.
I have a Vinyl Express from Sign Warehouse, in Texas. This is really a GCC Panther II plotter. Mine is only 24 inches wide. When looking at a plotter for cutting thermo-films, I chose this unit becasue it can do from 8 grams to 600 grams of pressure on the blade, as well as its speed. Further, most thermo-films range in width from 15 inches to 20 inches. Stahls, the thermo-film industry standard, comes in 17 inch width for its thermo-film. I have other thermo-films from other manufacturers that come in 19 inch and 20 inch widths. There are many thermo-films that are only 15 inch wide. So the 24 inch plotter seems perfect for my use.