r/heatpress

I have been creating graphics in Canva for a couple of years. I’ve used the graphics on greeting cards, stickers, and other stationary items. Printing on my home printer and making a product I’ve sold to friends, at work and at occasional craft shows. I hadn’t thought about of creating a design for a T-shirt until now. Heavens, what a rabbit hole I went down.

I had an idea for a T-shirt graphic for a group I follow online to raise money. I designed it, sent it off to get a DTF transfer to Jiffy and had it pressed on a Tee. It was stiff and plasticky and did not feel that good on the fabric. In doing some research, a solid graphic design with no ‘white’ space ( which mine was) may feel this way, is that correct? I’ve searched graphic tee’s and seen designs on all the POD websites which are just as dense, are they also being printed and sold and feel the same way as mine turned out?

Is there anyway around making a graphic dense graphic (sounds redundant) transfer feel like it’s part of the shirt and not a bandaid applied to the front using a HTvRont Auto Press (which my friend had). Thank you for any help and comments.

I’ve been using ruler guides from Amazon and Ninja and they’re ok, but I swear I spend so much time trying to line things up and placing transfers in the same place for larger orders.

I saw something on Amazon called the CLPA full size shirt ruler guide. Based on the videos, it looks like it covers most of the garment so you can line things up the same every time. The videos also show users keeping the guide on the shirt WHILE THEY PRESS?!?!

Has anyone used this? It’s not cheap and I really don’t want to try this thing if it’s not useful. Any reviews out there? Or any reviews of other rulers that work well? TIA!

So I was pretty set on upgrading from my vevor clamshell press to an HPN clam with a slide out/garmet pass through. But last second I saw a video about the swing away and how the vertical press has better even pressure etc especially for thicker items. As we’re getting into winter and sweatshirt orders start coming in is a swing away that noticeably better?
I’ve seen videos where they measured the pressure difference front to back on a clamshell vs vertical I just not sure how much actual difference it makes in day to day operations.
I’m pretty sure I’m going with HPN based on budget/reviews, just wanted to know if long term should I go with the vertical or clam design. TYIA for any advice