Fixating the Ink
After printing, the T-shirt is processed in a heat press or
oven to fixate the ink.
Precautions when Fixating the
Ink
❏ If you use a heat press with a T-shirt (media) that
has printing near the seams such as the sleeves,
fixation may not be performed correctly as ink is
not heated sufficiently due to the difference of levels
in the seams.
We recommend placing a heat-resistant fabric
above and below the T-shirt and applying pressure
as shown below to reduce the difference in levels.
❏ If the ink is not fixated sufficiently, colors may come
out in the wash or when rubbing against something.
❏ If the T-shirts (media) have plastic buttons or
zippers, we recommend that you first confirm
whether or not they will be damaged before using
the heat-press.
Fixating conditions
The conditions required for fixating differ as shown
below according to the heat press or oven.
Use the following values as a guide. The optimum
conditions vary depending on the type of heat press or
oven, and the amount of ink.
Heat press
Temperature Time
Pressure
*1
170 ˚C
45 seconds
*2
4.2 N/cm
2
*1 The optimum conditions vary depending on the
type of heat press such as the manual adjustment
type. Be sure to test the ink fixation result in
advance to find the right pressure.
*2 Images larger than A4 that have White ink may
take longer than 45 seconds to dry. Try extending
the time up to 90 seconds while checking if the ink
is dry.
Oven
Because the optimum conditions vary depending on the
oven, test and check the ink fixation result in advance to
determine the temperature and duration.
Type of Oven Temperature Time
Batch type 160 ˚C 3.5 to 5
minutes
*2
Conveyor type
160 ˚C
*1
3.5 to 4.5
minutes
*2
*1 Temperature of the fixating surface of the T-shirt.
Not the internal temperature. If the surface of the
T-shirt exceeds 180 ˚C, the T-shirt and the print
surface may change color.
*2 Images that have White ink require the maximum
fixating time (batch type: 5 mins., conveyor type:
4.5 mins.).
SC-F2100 Series User's Guide
Basic Printing
57