eliminate scorch marks with the arch method

Are you getting tired of scorch marks on your garments when heat pressing Custom Heat Transfers or Heat Transfer Vinyl? We have the solution for you! The ARCH Method is a step-by-step process to help you eliminate scorch marks from your garments. Created by Josh Ellsworth, heat printing expert at STAHLS'. Starting with the first letter, A, work your way through the ARCH Method to find the solution that works for you.

But first, what is the ARCH Method and how can I utilise it in my business?

The 4 steps of the ARCH Method are:

A - Accurate Pressure

R - Reducaed Temperature Transfer

C - Cover Sheet

H - Heated Lower Platen

 

Work your way through each of the four steps, one at a time, to find which method is successful in elimiating scorch marks during your heat press application.

Step One: Accurate Pressure.

If you're applying too much pressure to your garments through your heat press, this will cause a scorch mark regardless of whether you're printing onto a more sensitive fabric or not. Ensuring your heat press pressure is at a medium (between 4-6 on a Hotronix Heat Press) is the first step to eliminating scorch marks on your products.

This is very easy to do with a Hotronix Heat Press because of the digital readout. Allowing you to see what your pressure is at all times. So whether you're fusing onto a t-shirt, a hoodie, a coat, or a bag, you can be 100% confident you're using the correct pressure every single time.

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Step Two: Reduced Temperature Transfers.

The second thing to consider is the temperature at which your transfer is applied.

Stahls' UltraColour Heat Transfers fuse at just 120°C for 12 seconds. A very low-temperature transfer reduces the amount of heat the garment is receiving. If you're seeing scorch marks on your garments, and you're pressure is accurate, opt for a heat transfer with a lower application temperature to eliminate that scorch mark.

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Step Three: Cover Sheet.

If you're still getting scorch marks even after putting steps one and two into action, the third step is the cover sheet. You are most likely using a cover sheet such as release paper. Release paper is great for 90% of heat press applications, however, when fusing onto fabrics that are slightly more sensitive, you may require more of a protective layer such as GripFlex. A GripFlex pad is a much thicker cover sheet that offers more protection between the top heated platen and your garment. This will further reduce the chances of scorch marks on the finished product.

Consider using a thicker cover sheet to eliminate scorch marks.

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Step Four: Heated Lower Platen.

The fourth and final step to eliminating scorch marks is a heated lower platen. All Hotronix Heat Presses have interchangeable lower platens to allow you to isolate areas on a range of garments and accessories. Hotronix also manufactures heated lower platens, also known as Power Platens.

By using a heated lower platen you can decrease the temperature of your top heated platen and allow the majority of the heat required to apply your custom transfer or HTV. This eliminates scorch marks from any garment and accessory, leaving you with a perfect finish every single time.

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Global Masterclass for Apparel Decorators

In this session from the Apparel Decoration Global Masterclass, Josh Ellsworth answers your questions and goes through his new method, the ARCH Method in detail.

Frustration-free printing with consistent, repeatable results is the name of the game for all apparel decorators, but it’s not always the case. Skip learning the hard way, and join Josh Ellsworth for an in-depth look at diagnosing and fixing some of the most common heat press application issues that can ruin garments and impact your bottom line.

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