The 3rd Day of Heat Printing: Cover Sheets

by Matt DeLaere, Marketing

Cover Sheets

On the third day of heat printing, my true love gave to me three types of cover sheets (plus two Heat Press Caddie Shelves, and the #1 athletic lettering material in the world).

I learned how necessary cover sheets are when I accidentally applied a mirror image of the name “Elfred” to the upper platen of my Hotronix® Auto Clam heat press. I was in a hurry, decorating uniforms for the Kaffleklubben Kickers elf soccer team, so not only did I mess up a jersey and my upper platen, I had to take time out to clean it off, too, making me almost miss my deadline.

I could have avoided this by using a cover sheet, which protects the upper platen from accumulating residue and debris, and protects the material which I’m decorating. My true love gave me one pack of Kraft Paper Cover Sheets, one 6 mil Cover Sheet, and a Flexible Application Pad, each of which has its benefits.

The Kraft Paper Cover Sheet leaves a matte finish on the heat transfer material being applied. They’re for short-term use and help reduce build-up of static electricity.

The non-stick 6 mil Cover Sheet leaves a semi-gloss finish and can be reused, sometimes for several months, depending on how much it is used. Residue can be cleaned from the sheet with a damp cloth.

The Flexible Application Pad is great for heat-sensitive items and helps reduce the glossy box outline around heat printed designs. It also helps create a stronger bond when heat decorating nylon, and protects my upper platen from scratches when I’m decorating items with buttons or zippers. Because it absorbs some of the heat, I do need to increase the dwell time when using a Flexible Application Pad.

So now I can decorate all sorts of paraphernelfia without worrying about any residue on, or damage to, my upper platen!

 

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