Innovation: Heat Press Printed Encapsulated Twill
Innovator: Josh Ellsworth, Imprintables Warehouse
Contact Info: josh@imprintables.com – http://www.joshellsworth.com – 1-800-347-0068 x.236
City/State of Innovation: Uniontown, PA
Brief Description of Innovation: Heat Pressing an image/graphic onto white twill, then cutting the twill as well as a vinyl encapsulation then heat pressing to garment.
Equipment Used for Innovation: Any Heat Press, A Vinyl Cutter that can cut tackle twill – I used a Roland GX-24, A Printer compatible with selected paper – I used the Roland Versacamm VP300
Materials Used for innovation: Transfer Media or Paper – I used the Solutions clear material for the Roland Versacamm, mainly for the durability aspects of the solvent ink, Eco-Film Heat Transfer Vinyl or another cad-cut material to seal the outside edge of the twill, Pressure Sensitive White Poly-twill
Accessories Used: Weeding tools and a cover sheet (I used Kraft Paper)
Other details: This innovation sprung from one that I put out there over a year ago that first featured the concept of sealing the edge of tackle twill with cad-cut vinyl instead of sewing it. I took this process one step further and added a full color aspect to it. Before trying to conquer the full color aspect, I would recommend watching this video to gain an understanding of the overall concept and workflow to complete a simple encapsulation of twill with a heat press: Video Tutorial
Now that you’ve watched the video here is the explanation of adding a full color image to the process. First things first, you must use white twill if you are using a transfer paper or cad-color media for light colors. If you have opaque transfer paper you can use any color twill, but will need to know the basic concepts behind using opaque paper – specifically related to trimming. So…You basically print your full color image oin transfer paper, heat seal it to the blank piece of twill. Now you have your image on the twill. take your twill to the vinyl cutter and send your cut file that you wish to cut from twill. Remove your lettering/twill design and place it on the garment. Now load your cutter with the cad-cut heat press vinyl of choice – I use and sell Eco-Film – then output your cut file that is going to be used with the vinyl. Go to the heat press and do your best to register the vinyl over top of the twill and heat press it. Go show it to all of your friends and charge a premium for these garments. This is not an easy process and there is increased labor, so price the work as such. I love using this process with hoodies and fleece garments.
Other Success Tips: Try offering the customer a small repeatable pattern so that registration does not become an issue. If you are not using a solvent printer and Solutions clear material, be sure that you have a transfer paper that will stick to the twill and last in the wash. Most twills are 100% polyester. You will not want to use a junky transfer paper with this process – that would be like putting ketchup on filet mignon.
Here are a few photos of the innovation:
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: cut tackle twill, heat press idea, heat press innovation, heat press twill
