CAPE PRINTING TIPS
To help make the most of your investment, LAT Apparel is pleased to provide tips for printing on our 100% satin polyester capes. During screen printing, dye migration can possibly occur, as the heat during drying could cause the polyester dyes to revert back to a “liquid” state. This might cause the ink to migrate from the cape to the screen print that is placed on the garment. Improve results by following the tips below:
Screenprinting:
- Use inks formulated for polyester printing offering high bleed resistance like a poly white or ultra white. In some cases an under base gray can be very effective.
- Use a 110 or lower mesh count
- Flash between each print for 3 seconds to the recommended surface temperature. Check with ink manufacturer for specifics, but as a guide: Conventional inks - 220 degrees Fahrenheit; Low cure inks - 190 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Check with ink manufacturer for their recommended cure time and temperature. Cure no higher than 290 - 300 degrees Fahrenheit. If possible, use low-cure ink products to allow for lower temperature settings in the oven during the curing process. These products can cure as low as 270 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Oven dwell times may vary, but most ovens require a minimum of 45 seconds.
Heat Transfers:
- Use transfers that are made for 100% Polyester garments and formulated for bleed resistance
- Check with transfer manufacturer for their recommended cure time and temperature. Apply heat no higher than 330 degrees Fahrenheit for a maximum of 6 – 8 seconds with medium pressure
DTG Printing:
- Screenprinting and Heat Transfers are recommended over DTG printing for our capes. However, if you would like to DTG our capes consider the following tips:
- Pretreat capes with a pretreatment designed for polyesters
- Cure the pretreat at low pressure with a sheet paper between the cape and plate for 30 – 40 seconds at 300 degrees Fahrenheit
- • Insert a sheet inside the cape before printing to prevent dye migration to the back
- Print two white passes at 50% resolution to create a quick dry surface
- Print CMYK design on top of dried white ink
- Allow shirts to air dry a minimum of two hours, but the longer the better
- Curing can take place the following day if time permits.
- Utilizing a tunnel dryer is preferable to a heat press for curing as the heat press may reduce the quality of the design.
Sublimation:
- White and light colors like pink and silver can be sublimated.
- Separate the front and back of the cape while printing either with paper or by only pressing one ply.
- Check with your sublimation equipment and ink manufacturers for their recommended temperature and times. Apply heat no higher than 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 seconds with medium pressure.
