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I’ve printed heat press transfers on to heat release paper using PERMASET SUPERCOVER White and ran it through the adhesive powder, pressed it onto the garments and it came out beautiful. The time I used to get it to release onto the garment was 15 seconds then found a cold peel best. The question is, does this require further drying to the recommended 2/3 minutes. I don’t want the ink to wash away leaving the adhesive behind.

To ensure that the ink adheres properly and doesn’t wash away, it’s important to follow the recommended curing process. While the initial pressing for 15 s and using a cold peel worked well for transferring the design, further curing is necessary to ensure the ink’s durability and wash-fastness.

Here are the steps you should follow:

  1. Initial Pressing: You’ve already done this for 15 seconds, which is good for transferring the design.
  2. Cold Peel: You’ve found that a cold peel works best, so continue with this method.
  3. Further Curing: After peeling, you should cure the ink to the recommended guidelines to ensure it fully adheres and becomes wash-resistant. For PERMASET SUPERCOVER inks, the recommended curing regimes are:
    • 2-3 minutes at 160°C (320°F)
    • 5-6 minutes at 140°C (285°F)
    • 8-9 minutes at 120°C (250°F)

However, these settings are for a drying tunnel and there is much greater energy density in a heat press.

Since you’ve already done an initial press, you will not need the full curing time. Whilst it is crucial to ensure the ink reaches the appropriate temperature for sufficient duration to fully cure, too high a temperature for too long a time will result in overcuring and that will also result in the ink washing off.

As each heat press is subtly different, you’ll need to do some tests. Prepare a hand full of samples. Then press them each over a range of different times, say 30 s, 45 s, 60 s & 90 s, write the time and temperature settings on each one with a permanent marking pen and subject them to a wash test. In this way you will see the effect of curing time when using a heat press and this will give you the information and confidence that you need to do a bigger print job.

Just so you know…..many of the transfer adhesive powders commonly used are polyacrylamides and these are neurotoxins. You should take vigorous precautions to avoid ingesting any powder or inhaling dust in the preparation phase or inhaling fumes in the transfer and/or curing phase. Neurotoxins attack the nervous system. Industry operatives who have been subject to prolonged exposure often suffer physiological and/or psychological (mental health) disorders, including depression. So, wear appropriate PPE and ensure good ventilation.

Steps to Follow:

  1. After peeling the transfer, place the garment back under the heat press.
  2. Set the heat press to the appropriate temperature derived from your test results.
  3. Press the garment for the additional time arrived at from your heat press times test.

By following these steps, you can ensure that the ink will not wash away.