Showing posts with label flock films. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flock films. Show all posts

Friday, May 18, 2018

SEF Americas Documents




Sales Sheets

SEF Product Application Guide
SEF FlexCut Product Color Guide
SEF Print & Cut Product Guide

Processing & Application Bulletins

Plotter Films Application Instructions 

FlexCut Sticky Maxx Application Instructions
FlexCut Sweet Application Instructions
FlexCut Sticky Nylon Application Instructions
MetalFlex Application Instructions
FlexCut Sticky SBB Application Instructions
ReflexCut Sweet Application Instructions
VelCut Flock Application Instructions


Print & Cut Films Applications Instructions

Tatoo Application Instructions
Tatoo Nylon Application Instructions
Tatoo SBB Application Instructions
ClearFlex Application Instructions
ClassicPrint Application Instructions
EcoPrint Application Instructions
FiberPlus Application Instructions
Graffiti Application Instructions


Technical Bulletins & Charts

SEF Americas Cross Reference Chart

Articles Download or Print

Caring for Garments with Heat Transfers
Plotter Cutting Heat Transfer Films
Printing Tatoo with Seiko Fluorescent Inks
The Difference Between FlexCut Sticky and FlexCut Sweet
The Trouble with Shrinking Shirts
Which Films Stick to Coated Fabrics
Evaluating Heat Transfer Films

 Internal Links to Articles
Ploter Cutting Flex & Flock Films
Heat pressing on Dye Sublimated Fabrics
SEF Heat Transfer Films Instructions
Cutting and Weeding Tips for Heat Transfer Films
Pressing Heat Transfer Films
Printing Heat Transfer Films with Latex Inks
Evaluating Heat Transfer Films
Heat Transfer Films: Hot, Warm or Cold Peel
The Difference between FlexCut Sticky and FlexCut ...
The Trouble with Shrinking Shirts
Which Films Stick to Coated Fabrics?

Printing Tatoo with Seiko Fluorescent Inks
Stretching Garments Prior to Heat Pressing
Heat Pressing Appliques on Leather
ReflexCut Sweet Reflective Heat Transfer Films
SEF Technical Support
Tips for Cutting Flock Material
Rules for Overlaying Heat Transfer Films
The Differences Between Polyurethane and Vinyl Fil...
Shopping for a Heat Press
Plotter Cutting Heat Transfer Films
Caring for Garments with Heat Transfers




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 well 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 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
Web: NEW SEF Americas Website



Click Here: SEF Americas Shared Public Folder
© 2015 Jim Hingst


Posted by at 24 comments:
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Wednesday, April 22, 2015

The Difference between FlexCut Sticky and FlexCut Sweet

Download or Print SEF Articles

 Both FlexCut Sticky and FlexCut Sweet are 100% polyurethane films. Other than that one similarity the two films are very different. Each product has its own unique performance properties. And these differences make one film a better choice for a specific application versus the other.  Still both films have their place in the product mix. And both have their reasons for being. 

The most obvious difference is that FlexCut Sticky has a sticky carrier or liner, whereas FlexCut Sweet has a non-adhesive liner. Why is that important? The sticky liner is great for cutting small letters and fine detail. What’s more, if you happen to goof up when weeding the matrix and pull up a piece that should have stayed down, you can replace the piece where it belongs.  You can’t do that with FlexCut Sweet.




Available in 33 colors FlexCut Sticky Maxx allows for cutting of fine detail.

Why, then, would you want to use FlexCut Sweet? Part of reason is that FlexCut Sweet is thinner, more elastic  and has a softer hand than FlexCut Sticky. That makes the film a better choice of larger graphics, such as numbers and big, block letters. With its non-sticky liner, you can also stack one graphic on top of another without the graphics sticking together.

If you are still confused about which film to use, just follow this simple guideline:

  • For small letters and graphics and fine detail,  use FlexCut Sticky.
  • For large  numbers and  big, block letters, use FlexCut Sweet.



To help you select the right film for the application, please refer to the HeatTransfer Films Product Application Chart.
                                                                  

About FlexCut Sticky 


FlexCut Sticky is a PVC free, water-based 100% polyurethane heat transfer film. It features a low tack sticky carrier, which allows plotter cutting of fine detail and easy weeding. FlexCut Sticky is suitable for decorating cotton, polyester and cotton/polyester blend fabrics.

FLEXCUT STICKY IS AVAILABLE IN 5 VERSIONS:

FlexCut Sticky Maxx

Available in 33 colors. Athletic Gold is the latest addition to the SEF color range.

FlexCut Sticky Nylon

Features a low temperature (240⁰F) polyamide hot melt adhesive which adheres to nylon and coated fabrics. 

FlexCut Sticky SubliBlock (SBB)

Designed for sublimated polyester fabrics (sports jerseys). Includes an exclusive “SubliBlock” layer that prevents dye migration from discoloring heat transfer appliques.

FlexCut Sticky MetalFlex

Available in 7 popular shiny metallic colors. MetalFlex is comprised of 100% stretchable polyurethane and exhibits exceptional wash resistance and durability.

FlexCut Sticky GITD (Glow In The Dark)

FlexCut GITD will glow in the dark after exposure to daylight or artificial light.

About FlexCut Sweet


FlexCut Sweet approximates the look and feel of screen printing in a heat transfer flex film. Made of 100% polyurethane, FlexCut Sweet is very thin, soft and stretchable. FlexCut Sweet is suitable for decorating cotton, polyester and cotton/polyester blend fabrics. It is a popular choice for decorating athletic fabrics and team uniforms.

FLEXCUT SWEET IS AVAILABLE IN 3 VERSIONS:

FlexCut Sweet

Super soft FlexCut Sweet is available in 18 popular colors.

ReflexCut Sweet 

ReflexCut Sweet is a safety grade retroreflective polyurethane film utilizing micro glass bead technology.

FlexCut Sweet Puff



When exposed to the heat of a heat press, it inflates with air creating a 3D effect. Available in 6 colors.

Click Here to Access Printer Profiles



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
© 2015 Jim Hingst

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The Trouble with Shrinking Shirts

Download or Print SEF Articles

Tips for Working with Heat Transfer Films


Should it be a surprise that cotton tee-shirts shrink?  Even us guys know that! Cotton garments shrink. 100% cotton can shrink as much as 10% to 12%. Especially if you simmer the clothes in hot water in your washer, and then bake it on high in the dryer until it’s bone dry.

Of course, we all know that there are right ways and wrong ways to wash and dry. It’s our customers that we have to worry about. When they abuse a tee-shirt and it shrinks, expect to hear the complaint that the heat transfer applique also shrunk and shriveled up with the shirt.






If the tee-shirt shrinks, expect the applique to shrink too!

So what can a shop owner do to avoid these complaints? Some thicker vinyl heat transfers will hold their shape a little better – but not much.  The problem with the thicker films is that they are as stiff and as uncomfortable  as a plastic placard. You might as well give the customer a sandwich board to walk around in.

The fact is that the whole heat transfer industry is developing thinner, softer and more stretchable films. If the fabric shrinks, the film will shrink with it and it will look wrinkled.

Probably the best solution to the problem is to buy pre-shrunk shirts. The shirts will cost a little more, but they are worth it. Or you could buy a cotton blend which will shrink less.



Of course, you could always pre-wash the shirts yourself.  This is not very practical because it is time-consuming. A better practice is to pre-press the shirt  for three to five seconds prior to heat pressing the applique also helps pre-shrink the shirt.




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
© 2015 Jim Hingst

Posted by at 15 comments:
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Which Films Stick to Coated Fabrics?

Download or Print SEF Articles

 Just before the beginning of WWII, American chemists developed synthetic polyamides.  Polyamides are complex molecules called polymers, which are comprised of smaller “amide” monomers. In nature, these polyamide molecules occur as proteins in fibers, such as silk and wool. In the modern world, the best known polyamides are nylons.   Because of their strength, elasticity and abrasion resistance, polyamide fibers are used in manufacturing durable apparel, such as jackets, swimwear and other sports garments.

Often nylon textiles are coated to make the garment water-resistant.  In decorating these fabrics with heat transfer films, these coatings can also resist standard hot melt polyurethane adhesives. To adhere to coated fabrics, the SEF FlexCut Sticky Nylon (a polyurethane film for plotter cutting) and Tatoo Nylon (a printable polyurethane film) are coated with a special polyamide hot melt adhesive, which has an affinity for other polyamide materials. While you may have heard that opposites attract, when it comes to adhesion, “like” materials usually build stronger bonds.

Printing Tatoo Nylon


Tatoo Nylon is printable using solvent, ecosolvent or latex inkjet printers. Before laminating the applique with HotMask HM350, make sure that the print is thoroughly dry. Otherwise you could smudge the image.  While inks can dry in as little as fifteen minutes to a half an hour, some prints will take longer. High humidity and other ambient shop conditions could prolong the drying process.




To heat press FlexCut Sticky Nylon or Tatoo Nylon to a garment, set the temperature at 240⁰ F (115⁰ C).

After the printed Tatoo Nylon has dried, squeegee HM350 to the applique using good pressure. Remember that the adhesive on HM350 is a pressure sensitive and it takes pressure to promote adhesion. After laminating the transfer tape, allow 20 to 30 minutes before use.

To heat press FlexCut Sticky Nylon or Tatoo Nylon to a garment, set the temperature at 240⁰ F (115⁰ C). After pressing the applique for 17 seconds at medium/high pressure, remove the HM350, after a couple of seconds, while the garment is still warm.




After pressing the applique remove the HotMask, while the garment is still warm.

For more information on selecting the right heat transfer film for particular applications refer to the Heat Transfer Films Product Application Chart.


Click Here to Access Printer Profiles


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
© 2015 Jim Hingst


Posted by at 1 comment:
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Printing Tatoo with Seiko Fluorescent Inks

Download or Print SEF Articles

In 2012, Seiko I Infotech Inc. (SIIT) introduced their new mild solvent fluorescent colors, designed for use with the Seiko's ColorPainter W-54S and 64S wide-format printers. These inks are compatible with the SEF Tatoo series of printable polyurethane heat transfer films. Tatoo appliques printed with the Seiko neon colors are perfect for garments worn in nightclubs, casinos, bowling alleys and amusement parks.





While the new Seiko neon inks are only available in Neon Yellow and Neon Pink, they are not just for spot colors.  By replacing the light cyan and light magenta inks with the neon inks, you can give conventional 4-color process printing an unconventional and exciting fluorescent effect.

Printing Tatoo appliques with the new neon colors will make even ordinary graphics exciting, even in the daylight. Under black lighting, the colors will glow with electric appeal.


 Click Here to Access Printer Profiles

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
© 2015 Jim Hingst


Posted by at 29 comments:
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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Stretching Garments Prior to Heat Pressing

Some screen printers, who print directly onto t-shirts or who print plastisol heat transfers, will stretch the garment before printing or heat pressing. By doing this, the weave of the shirt opens up allowing the ink to better penetrate the fibers of the fabric. This practice is believed to prevent cracking of the ink. 


While stretching garments may work when printing t-shirts or heat pressing plastisol heat transfers, you should not stretch shirts prior to heat pressing a polyurethane heat transfer film.  Here’s why. After the shirt is washed, it will shrink back to its original shape.  When this happens, the polyurethane appliqué  will contract, resulting in the puckering of the heat transfer film.  See the photo below. 
Do not stretch the garment prior to heat pressing or the appliqué  will pucker after the first washing.

Instead of stretching a garment prior to pressing, you should pre-press it.  This causes the shirt to shrink. In addition, if there is any moisture in the fabric, pre-pressing will dry the shirt. Moisture can potentially cause adhesion problems. Pressing the garment also provides a smooth surface for the application of the heat transfer appliqué.. 


 Click Here to Access Printer Profiles

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
© 2015 Jim Hingst
Posted by at 3 comments:
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