How To Print Direct To Film on Hats & Headwear

[@tainedjcobra4262.]

Taine Jack Madiso Saturday night

[@newstaroficial1004]

I am from India

[@authenticginger]

Where can you get port authority hats?

[@transferexpress]

We picked these up from www.transferexpress.com/apparel - No business license or tax id needed. They're also available from Sanmar if you have an account there too!

[@jennvasquez4701]

When I did the 6 panel hat, the design looked as if it was melted on. I did it on 315 temp 15 seconds, WHy did that happen?

[@transferexpress]

Hi Jenn, We'll need to know a little bit more information to help! What heat press are you using? What brand & style of cap? If using the 360 do you have the bottom heat turned off? Are you using a cover sheet? What is the pressure setting on the press at? What specific transfer are you using? 315 would be too high of a temperature for our UltraColor Max DTF transfers we show here. Some of the lower-cost DTF on the market has issues with adhesives or a glossy appearance, that sometimes are more hassle than what they're worth. As for the 'melted on' look, do you mean wrinkling or stretching in the transfer itself? There's a few things that could have went wrong: If using a cold peel transfer, the transfer moved before it was completely cool to room temperature. Pressure on the heat press may be too low, temperatures too high, etc

[@authenticginger]

What timing did you have on each of the hats?

[@transferexpress]

Each hat pressed at the recommended application time of 15 seconds for the UltraColor Max direct to film transfers.

[@tainedjcobra4262.]

Cap

[@newstaroficial1004]

How collect this (Transfer express) application.....

[@heyho6469]

When I pressed my hat I creased the cap exactly how you did it to the foam.

[@thebestg32]

Late on this video but can you use heat tape to keep the transfer in place? Or is ot preferable to not use tape?

[@transferexpress]

You can absolutely use Thermo Tape to hold the transfer down, it doesn't impact the application and helps keeps those graphics in place. Keep in mind if you're using a hot peel transfer (like we are here) you need to remove the tape quickly to peel the transfer while hot. Just take special care, as some of the foam-front options can dimple when touched when still hot.

[@newstaroficial1004]

Nice video sir

[@transferexpress]

Thanks! We're happy to help apparel decorators in any way we can

[@sharlenecollins2388]

Do you not have to cover the film before you press on the hat press?

[@transferexpress]

Nope! The carrier acts as a cover sheet. One step application, you don’t even have to cover and repress!

[@authenticginger]

Also, what is that Port Authority blue hat made out? Cotton and Poly?

[@transferexpress]

The blue hat we used is a Port Authority C116, which is 100% cotton twill for the front panels and bill.

[@benpokol]

Will that bridge on the golf hat not eventually tear since its not glued down?

[@transferexpress]

I'm not sure exactly what you are referring to, the rope along the brim? Unless snagged or intentionally pulled to be removed, we haven't seen any failures on these OTTO caps.

[@benpokol]

The last hat the blue one. Dave says the print is bridging the gap in the seam. Couldn’t that fail in the part since the transfer is not glued down and basically floating over the seam?

[@transferexpress]

Thanks for clarifying Ben, we haven't seen any issues with them failing, tearing or peeling, they're still adhered to the hat and the inks are made to stretch and flex. Just like Dave mentions you can also push the transfer into the crease, however the crease is visible in the artwork. There's a great video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJKuloGQf7Z3jbssi=tWHXIPQTk-igxMlf&t=490 Where Skip Davis (Owner D4 Graphics) mentions using a tool to ensure any graphics are pushed into the seams. We've seen many decorators using soft foam HTV with UltraColor Max printed on top to bridge seams or print on other areas not well suited for just a transfer (think mesh back), later in that same video with Skip, around the 40 minute mark you can see a detailed version of that process.

[@teemedina4506]

Which cap heat would you recommend best for a beginner? 🤔

[@transferexpress]

The Otto & Port Authority Foam front trucker caps are the easiest to print dtf heat transfers on!

[@teemedina4506]

@transferexpress I'm sorry, I meant to ask which hat heat press would you recommend best for a beginner? I hope I'm making sense.

[@transferexpress]

Oh sorry! The Hotronix 360 IQ we feature in this video is the only hat press that can do it all while providing frustration free printing. Other cap presses can crease hats and provide only top-heat application, limiting the types of heat transfers you can use. While it is more expensive than the ones on amazon, it has the potential to pay itself off quickly. With financing it can be purchased with payments as low as $173 per month. www.transferexpress.com/heat-presses/hotronix-360-iq-hat-press With a quality press, you're able to provide professionally printed products right out of the gate and charge accordingly, building value in your business right from the start and absolutely flooring your customers with your quality and capabilities. If your budget is fixed, one of the lowest cost presses we would recommend is the Clam Basic series: www.transferexpress.com/heat-presses/stahls-clam-basic-cap-heat-press It doesn't have the programmable presets, lower heat, molded lower platens or auto-opening features, but it does have adjustable pressure, the option for other platens and accurate (top) heat.

[@BrooklynnErdmann]

What pressure did you use for the foam hat?

[@transferexpress]

We had our pressure set around 6-7 for a slightly-higher medium pressure for our UltraColor Max DTF transfers

[@BrooklynnErdmann]

But he said in the video to not put pressure on the foam hat, bc it could lead to dimples or creases. I’m confused. 5:18

[@transferexpress]

Thanks for clarifying Brooklynn, Yes, the heat press pressure is ok at a 6-7 as it is spread out across the printing area, Dave mentions here you'll want to avoid touching the foam with your fingers as the foam front will dimple and leave a permanent crater in the foam even after it cools down.