Heat Press Embroidery

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

Hey guys,

Recently I was given a cap press on a trade for some embroidery machine repair work.
My first thoughts were to put it on Craigslist or Ebay but now I'm thinking about keeping it and trying my hand at some form of heat press work.
What would you guys recommend to play around with first? I see that companies like "Stahls" offer heat seal embroidered letters and numbers for the front of caps. Is this a big seller or does it have faults like you can see the adhesive around the outside of the embroidery??
Do you think I could have some fun with rhinestones on a cap press putting them onto other garments. My platen is 3.5 x 7" but of course it's curved. I've learned that I can change the platens for different size caps, but I will find out what exactly the limits are for my press this week when I call the manufacturer.

Thanks,
Ed

[Debbie Garifi]

Hi Ed,
The Rhinestone Transfers are very easy for hats.
You can purchase all kinds of stock designs or you can have custom ones done of your clients logo.
Try it before getting rid of it.

Debbie Garifi
Design Wizard Embroidery

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

I was just wondering with the curved surface/nature of the cap press, would the rhinestones have the tendency to shift as you applied pressure. Even if you use some of that special wax paper on top or whatever that slick material is.

Thanks Debbie,

Ed

[TinaK]

Morning Ed~

The special wax paper you are referring to is called transfer tape and no the stones will not move or shift on the curved surface. The transfer tape holds them to the surface as it is pretty sticky in my opinion.
Don't forget that with a heat press you can also press things on the bill of the cap.

If you are looking for embroidered things to put on the caps check out the following:
www.uniportind.com
http://www.laughinglizards.com/index.php

There are more companies that offer the appliques but can't remember them off hand.

For rhinestones/rhinestuds I know there are a few of us on the board here that do custom work and could help you out...

Good Luck Playing!

[Debbie Garifi]

Ed,
You would heat the area first for 5 seconds, then remove white backing, lay down the transfer (sticky side down) if any stones shift use a tweezer to stick back on the transfer paper, glue side up. press for the 20 seconds or so, let cool, gently peel off sticky carrier, put hat back on the press and put a strip of the Stahls Kraft paper over design and press again for 20 seconds. always make sure the hat is pulled down tight on platen so it doesn't get wrinkles pressed into it. HTH
have a great day!

[signman]

Ed, I'd be glad to talk about hat presses and 'how to's'...I've been using one for over 15 years...do in-house 'cut vinyl' for lettering, logos, digital print diecut transfers...etc. and have used Stahl's and other companies at times. Haven't done rhinestones yet-no one has asked.
Biggest thing to keep in mind-6 panel hats are not generally used for heat sealing because of the center seam-it screws things up fast. You will prefer 5 panel hats for most of it unless your design 'splits' in the middle so nothing 'gaps' the seam.
Call me if you want to 'talk shop' about it. I also have used my hat press for small logo work on vests and shirts!
Roland

[signman]

and I wish someone would offer me another hat press for trade-many times having 2 would speed things up!