I am frequently asked how many times you can wash a garment with a heat transfer applique before it deteriorates. Durability of this material all depends on the type of material that you are using and garment care. If you wash and dry the garment properly, a high quality polyurethane applique should last just as long as the garment itself.
 |
| The best way to dry a garment with a heat transfer applique is to hang it on a clothesline. |
Nothing shortens the life of a heat transfer graphic faster than improper washing and drying of the garment. To ensure optimal durability, you should follow the few simple rules that I have listed below.
Washing.
Washing garments decorated with heat transfer appliques involves a little more than separating white garments from colored fabrics:
• To protect the heat transfer applique from abrasion as garments rub together during the wash cycle, turn the garment inside out.
• Before washing, wait 24 hours after heat transfer application.
• Before washing, wait 24 hours after heat transfer application.
• Wash the garment at low or warm water temperature settings. Refer to the washing instructions on the garment label and the product application guide for the heat transfer material. In the ideal world, like fabrics should be separated and washed together.
• Use a mild detergent. Never use chlorine bleach.
• NOTE: Do not dry clean flex materials. It is OK to dry clean flock materials.
• NOTE: Do not dry clean flex materials. It is OK to dry clean flock materials.
Drying.
The high heat in driers can cause much more damage to heat applied graphics than washing. To prevent heat damage to appliques, follow these tips:
• To protect the image from abrasion as garments rub against each other, turn it inside out.
• Tumble dry on the low temperature setting. (So clothes can actually tumble as they dry, never overstuff the drier. This practice will also minimize wrinkles.)
• Don’t overdry your clothes. Remove clothes from the dryer while they are slightly damp. Put clothes on hangers for final drying. Better yet, hang your clothes to dry on an old-fashioned clothes line. (Do not hang garments outside in the sun to dry or the UV light will accelerate the fading process.)
Ironing.
When ironing a garment decorated with a heat transfer polyurethane graphic, turn the garment inside out or cover the graphic with cotton cloth. If a hot iron touches the polyurethane film, it will melt the film, ruining the graphics!
FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT: SEF Americas provides a toll-free technical support service at 844-720-9601. NOTE: If your call is not answered by a tech support person during normal business hours, 8am to 5pm EST (Eastern Standard Time), please leave a message and we will do our best to return your call within an hour. Should you need to contact us after business hours, an alternate tech support number is 480-987-8028. You can also get answers to your technical questions by emailing: techsupport@SEFamericas.com.
NOTE: Store SEF Heat Transfer Materials in a cool and dry place; protect against the influence of light when stored. We recommend not to exceed a storage period of 24 months. Due to the variety of possible influences / exposure outside of our control, to include processing / use, all specifications should be viewed as reference values. We recommend a suitability test to the material before a production. Technical specifications rest on extensive tests and technical research, however, a legally binding warranty of specific characteristics and or performance cannot be provided.
FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT: SEF Americas provides a toll-free technical support service at 844-720-9601. NOTE: If your call is not answered by a tech support person during normal business hours, 8am to 5pm EST (Eastern Standard Time), please leave a message and we will do our best to return your call within an hour. Should you need to contact us after business hours, an alternate tech support number is 480-987-8028. You can also get answers to your technical questions by emailing: techsupport@SEFamericas.com.
NOTE: Store SEF Heat Transfer Materials in a cool and dry place; protect against the influence of light when stored. We recommend not to exceed a storage period of 24 months. Due to the variety of possible influences / exposure outside of our control, to include processing / use, all specifications should be viewed as reference values. We recommend a suitability test to the material before a production. Technical specifications rest on extensive tests and technical research, however, a legally binding warranty of specific characteristics and or performance cannot be provided.
ABOUT SEF: For more than 35 years, SEF has provided the screen printing and garment industries with high quality flex films and flock films. Manufacturing at SEF is totally integrated. The factory formulates, casts and adhesive coats its own polyurethane (PU) films. SEF even manufactures its own flock fibers. With a corporate commitment to a greener environment, all of its film and adhesive formulations are water based. This ensures that no solvents pollute the atmosphere. Its only emission is water vapor. Today, SEF is recognized as a leading producer of heat transfer films for use in the fabrication of heat press appliqués for textile decoration. Its ultra-thin polyurethane films and super soft flock films are easy to plotter cut and digitally print.
For More Information About SEF Americas:
14476-201 Duval Place West
Jacksonville, FL 32218
904-423-0211 - Phone
904-423-0899 - Fax
844-720-9600 - Toll Free
Ordering: sales@SEFamericas.com
Click Here: SEF Americas Shared Public Folder
Click Here: SEF Product Application Guide
Click Here: SEF FlexCut Product Color Guide
Click Here: SEF Print & Cut Product Guide
© 2015 Jim Hingst
nice blog !! i was looking for blogs related of Heat Transfer Lab Equipment Manufacturer . then i found this blog, this is unique but it is also about heat transfer.
ReplyDeleteReally nice and interested to read
Can we really dry clean Flock Material? because I am reading the instruction from SiserNA site and it said not to dry clean? or is there a specific brand that you could recommend for Dry Clean able material? thank you
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteInteresting and amazing how your post is! It Is Useful and helpful for me That I like it very much, and I am looking forward to Hearing from your next..
ReplyDeletedigital heat transfers