How to Print on a T-shirt or Tote Bag

Make your file following the "How to Make a Sticker" guide and upload it onto the computer connected to the printer with a flash drive.

Note: When bringing the file into Versaworks, there are a couple of settings that are different from those that apply to making a sticker.

Heat settings

The Heat Press requires a specific temperature for the specific material you will be pressing, please refer to these table's to find your specific temperature and press time (under Heat Transfer Material Settings)

Here is the link to the website you see

https://www.spyderlab.com/media/

STEP 1: Under the Layout tab, ensure the size of your image is appropriate. Measure the size you want on your bag/t-shirt and type that into the size box.

STEP 2: Under the "Quality" tab, change the Media Type to "Roland DGA HTM3: HeatSoft Plus."

STEP 3: As always, under the "Printer Controls" tab, check the "Cut Sheet After Output" box and "Use Custom Settings" box and change the Page Space to 0.

STEP 4: Under the "Cut Controls" setting, check the "Cut Image Boundaries" box and make sure to leave the Cut Passes at 1.

When it’s ready, print your design!

STEP 5: After printing, peel the material around the edges of your design so all that remains is what you want on your item.

If you have a complex design, you may have to "weed" the image, i.e. use tweezers and a pick to remove the small parts, such as the insides of letters, for example.

STEP 6: Cut a piece of Transfer Mask off of the roll, slightly larger than your design.

STEP 7: Peel off the backing of the Transfer Mask and lay it adhesive side up on the table.

STEP 8: Apply your design face down onto the Transfer Mask.

STEP 9: Once applied, roll and squeegee with firm pressure to ensure the design adheres properly to the mask.

STEP 10: Immediately after masking, lift the design off of the backing liner.

STEP 11: Next, locate the heat press in the back of the tech shop (N106). Power on the heat press by pressing the red switch on the right side of the heat press and wait for it to heat up to 200 °C.

STEP 12: Click on the "set" button to ensure the temperature is set to 200 degrees. Click the "set" button again to ensure that the timer is set to 25 seconds.

Note: To decrease or increase the temperature or timer, click on the up and down arrows located on the same touchscreen.

STEP 13: Once it has heated up, put on heat-protecting gloves to prevent any burns. The gloves are located in the white cabinet on the left side of the tech shop.

OPTIONAL STEP: Press your shirt or tote bag for 5-10 seconds to remove wrinkles as well as moisture from the textile.

STEP 14: Then, place your design onto the tote bag or shirt, ensuring that it is centered to your liking. Lightly pat down the design onto your tote bag or shirt.

STEP 15: Grab a heat press teflon sheet located in the same white cabinet that you found the gloves. Place the sheet on top of your design to protect it from excessive heat.

Place the teflon sheet so that it covers your entire design as shown:

Note: If you are dye subbing on the heat press, make sure to use a padded teflon sheet inside of your shirt or tote bag to ensure that your design will not bleed into the back of your shirt or tote bag.

Now press your design! Make sure to pull the press all the way down to ensure that it locks in place.

Note: After the timer is up, the heat press will abruptly open, make sure that you are safely out of the way to ensure you do not get hit by the heat press.

STEP 16: Set your tote bag or shirt aside on a work table to cool down. Once cool, you can then peel the clear transfer mask off. Remove the transfer mask at a sharp angle to ensure that the design is not distorted or stretched in the process.

For additional durability, cover the design and press for another 2-3 seconds.

Note: Wait 24 hours before first wash. Do not dry clean.

Step 17: Turn off the heat press by pressing on the red switch. Return all materials back to their corresponding locations and clean up any scraps.

You are all done! Enjoy your new heat-pressed tote bag or shirt!

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