Cutting and Weeding Tips for Heat Transfer Films

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Not all  polyurethane heat transfer films are the same. That's because many of these films aren't 100% polyurethane. Instead, the polyurethane based films are blends of polyurethane and vinyl. These blends are stiffer.

100% polyurethane heat transfer films, on the other hand,  are more stretchy than others. That’s a big advantage after the graphic is applied to a garment.  Sometimes, though, that elasticity can make plotter cutting the film challenging.  Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind when cutting polyurethane films:

• Use a sharp blade. Ragged cuts indicate that it is time to change your blade.
• If the film is not cutting evenly, reduce the downforce and slow the cutting speed.

Weeding Tips

• It sure helps if you can  see what you are doing. Good lighting is essential when weeding any type of plotter cut films. For detailed work, a magnifying hood is great for weeding an intricate design.
• Keep your work surface clean. Dispose of weeded material so you don’t end up with extraneous piece inadvertently stuck to the carrier of the applique and then heat pressed onto the garment.
• Using a good weeding tool will make weeding easier so you can be more productive.  Everyone has a favorite tool. For some, Xacto knifes, air release tools, or tweezers are the tools of choice. Personally, I like the dental pick type of tool.  Your SEF distributor will have an assortment of weeding tools available for purchase.
• Pick the centers of the letters first, then weed the outside matrix.
• When weeding plotter cut graphics (reverse cut), start from the left side of the reading and work to the right. For printed and cut graphics that are right reading, work from the opposite direction.

If you have questions about cutting and weeding heat transfer films, call SEF Americas or your SEF distributor.

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 used 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 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.

About this blog: SEF Americas Heat Transfer Blog is dedicated to providing technical information about flex and flock films for heat pressing appliques to textiles. SEF, a leader in flock materials and polyurethane films, serves the garment, sign and screen print industries. SEF brands include Tatoo, Classicprint, Clearflex, Fiberplus, Metalflex and Reflexcut.

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

Web: NEW SEF Americas Website

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

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© 2015 Jim Hingst