heat press and fabric

[Impressive Threads]

Has anyone used a heat press on a performance shirt that is nylon and spandex? This is a ladies yoga top that a customer is requesting a dTG print on and I am not sure if I can set the ink with the heat press or if due to the type of fabric will it melt?

Stumped in phoenix

[gcannon]

I don't know the specifics, but I do know you must cure DTG printing at a pretty high temp- on ours it is 356 Farenheit for 35 sec. Can't you talk her into embroidery instead?

[signman]

Nylon/spandex is going to look terrible with embroidery, the thread isn't going to stretch like the fabric will.
I've heat sealed onto 100% poly before-at higher temps but not for more than 18 seconds.
I would call your DTG supplier/tech and talk with them...they should (BETTER) know about working with this fabric before you ruin it or have a print that washes off! Might end up having to do it as a sublimation print but you can't do that with DTG

[gcannon]

Signman-sorry you are wrong-as long as the fabric isn't stretched in the hoop, it will look fine-unless it is huge-the key here is using the proper backing/stabilizer. But I do agree with you about the contact with the DTG tech.

[cmack]

check with dtg rep, beacuse nylon does not always accept dtg ink.

[Impressive Threads]

Thanks for all of the help. As it turns out my printing rep says it will not hold ink. So I was able to convince the client to go with a Bella tank instead.

No longer stumped in Phoenix.

[Gabi Kat]

Have you looked into dye sub? Conde.com

[signman]

Our experience was material that wasn't stretched tight in the hoop, but when worn-was almost skin tight-not loose. So the material was stretched away from the embroidery and it opened up holes. And 'decal' iron on imprints will crack if the material stretches too far. Normal 'wear' won't bother it-but the kids (mostly girls) that want to wear it like a second skin stretch it right out and the decal won't take it.

[Laurie]

I agree with Roland, it is not embroidery friendly! :/

Laurie

[signman]

Similar problem with neoprene...if it doesn't have a bonded cloth backing-the needle holes are just like perforations-first time you pull on the neoprene it will tear just like tearaway backing.
My wetsuit for kayaking has cloth backing-has held up for several years. But I've gone through several sets of gloves because they don't have the cloth backing and the stitching tears right apart first time I stretch them over my hands.
So you have to really think hard before you agree to sew on ANY stretchable material. The embroidery thread does NOT stretch, so it will easily cause holes to become tears and runs.
Can't sew on everything!

[Gabi Kat]

The last thing would be to screen print directly. Using Plastisol with "nylo-bond" additive. It will stretch without the breaking if you follow the directions on curing.The small the live print area the better.

[gcannon]

Gabi-I think you have offered the best option for this question. And, as far as embroidery on the items mentioned, I agree it can be tricky at best. But if "it must be", I try to explain all aspects of the garment/embroidery/backing(topping, if your cust. gets it)/wearability before & after/laundering/"look"(keep it small (like a name or letter for the team). And, if you're lucky, you can talk em into putting it near a seam for less "stretch factor"- just far enough away from the seam so the seam still stretches just fine.