So the first step to finding help is admitting you have a problem! So pat yourself on the back for coming here, you are already headed in the right direction! 

Woah!! Aren’t screen prints just the best thing ever! Well they are when everything works right at least. Are you having problems with cracking? Can’t get them to stick? You’re in the right spot! I don’t have all the answers but here are some tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way that might be able to help you! 

And of course, if you still need help just email me melisa@socuteappliques.net

The absolute MOST IMPORTANT tip for applying these adorable screen print transfers is simple: You MUST use a heat press. The only way to insure that you have the correct temperature and pressure needed to properly apply the transfers is with a well calibrated heat press.

NO! Nope! Nada! Can’t do it! Although an iron and the popular easy press is great for applying vinyl, they don’t have enough pressure to properly apply a screen print transfer. Screen prints require LOTS of pressure. 60psi to be exact which is an 8-9 on the presses with gauges. You will need to use a properly calibrated heat press to apply any screen print transfer you purchase from my shop! 

High heat soft ink transfers are softer and need to be applied at a higher temperature than the regular transfers. Not to bore you with the details but the adhesive is different and thinner which gives you a much softer transfer BUT in return it is a little more tricky to use. High heat transfers still require the same heavy pressure (60psi or 8-9 on your press) but instead of 325 degrees it is recommended that you press them at 360-370 degrees. Now, to be honest with you, my press runs a little hot and my “sweet spot” for high heat transfers is about 355-360. I make sure I use a heat gun and check the actual temperature of my press before pressing. 

 

Sample pieces are sent out with all high heat orders. USE THEM! Start at 360 and adjust your temp accordingly. If you colors are looking dull it typically means your temp is too high. Lower it a little and try again! 

You’ve worked so hard to make the perfect shirt and now you have cracking 🙁 It is so annoying. I totally get it! Why did it happen? First to understand a little more about cracking we have to understand the nature of screen printing. Screen print transfers are ink applied to release paper that adheres to your shirt once you press it. Just like any other ink (think fingernail polish for a second) it has to be allowed to cure. Screen prints need the perfect combo of Pressure, Heat and Time. If one of these pieces isn’t correct the transfer won’t cure properly (think opening a soda can and your nail smudging) Same concept!

So now that we understand screen print a little, lets dive in to why your print cracked. I can’t tell you 100% for sure why your transfer is cracking since I’m not 100% sure how it was applied BUT here are the top reasons you will get cracking.

  • PRESSURE– 99% of the time cracking is caused by not enough pressure. Remember you need 60psi HEAVY pressure for screen prints. My pressure is so high on my press that my husband presses my shirts for me! 
  • TIME & SET TIME– The length of time you press the transfer isn’t typically the cause but if you need to you can increase your time a few seconds. More important is the “set time” after you press. It is recommended that you let your shirt lay flat to finish curing for 24 hours after pressing. Don’t wear it, fold it, wash it… 
  • STRETCHING– This is a very common cause of cracking! If your shirt is too small and you stretch it when you put it on, the ink will crack. Transfers are not stretchy!
  • MOISTURE– I pre-press my shirts for 4-5 seconds before applying the transfers. This helps get the moisture out of your shirt which will help the ink to adhere better. 
  • FABRIC SOFTENER– Fabric softener is the kryptonite to screen prints. Don’t use it!
  • DRYING– Screen prints need to hang to dry. When you place an item that is effected by heat into a dryer that is hot, it is bound to cause issues! Try hanging to dry.
  • PRESSURE– Yep I’m gonna say it again! Increase your pressure. This is typically the reason for cracking.
So while these are the most common causes of cracking, I’m sure there are other reasons too. The good news is that most of the time you can put your shirt back on your press, cover with parchment paper or teflon and repress for 7 seconds and it should re-adhere the transfer. This doesn’t always work but is worth a shot!

No. You don’t need to cover the transfer with a teflon sheet. Just the shirt and the transfer, press for 7 seconds and peel it while it is hot. Now, I’m not going to yell at you and tell you can’t use a pressing pillow if you feel you need one in some instances. You have to do what is right for your press and circumstances! Just be aware that it may disburse the heat and not give you the heavy pressure needed for the transfer to properly apply.

Not really, unfortunately. The sizes are all listed in the description of the prints and most adult prints will be 11×8.8″ The prints may run horizontal or vertical BUT the longest side will typically only be 11″ Please make sure you read the dimensions of the designs. The print will look different placed on a large shirt vs. a small shirt. 

Well there are several reasons this might be happening. First and most common is the fact that the sample photos are digital mockups. They will naturally be a little brighter than the actual prints. Screen prints are layers of translucent inks that are applied in pattern that causes them to mesh together and create different colors. Due to the nature of ink it is impossible to match it every single time. Ink between different “batches” of screen prints will vary and because of that so will the shades. It is typically on a slight difference though! 

Another reason, probably the most often seen, is because your temp is too high. Colors are very sensitive to heat, even a few degrees can make a color look blown out. Check your temps with a heat gun. Use the sample pieces that are put in with the high heat transfers. You will get it! Find your sweet spot for your press and your prints will look great! 

Yes. You can use my photos and there are several albums in the Facebook group that you can use also. All I ask is that you watermark them. PLEASE, for the love of all things good, watermark them! 

We try our best to keep most prints in stock BUT there is only so much room at the shop and unfortunately some times we have to let them go. I try to keep an ongoing restock list in the Facebook group, you can find the link in the pinned post. If you are running a print in your group you are always welcome to email and see if there is enough in stock or if they will continue to restock. You can also place a custom order for them if needed. melisa@socuteappliques.net is the best way to reach out regarding this. There are minimums for custom orders. 

NO. I don’t offer my screen prints in any digital format. They are exclusive to my shop and have registered copyrights. I will not under any circumstances offer them in digital format. Please respect this.

No, we have low prices and don’t offer wholesale. These screen prints are intended for small business use. I don’t allow them to be resold.