A Digital Printing Network
Solutions Opaque Question
Hey everyone.
I've managed to get by with mostly QP since I bought my printer, but recently, people have started bringing in stretchy fabrics making me use Sol Opaque more.
So.. I need some help.
I know that I need to cut first and then go back and print after. That is all working fine. But when I mask the design (I'm using Evolution Mask) I'm having trouble. I'm not weeding before I mask as that was causing the edges to curl. So when I pull the mask off of the material, it is rippling all over the design. So after I weed it I have to go back and pull up each little piece of the design and lay it back out flat.
The question is what am I doing wrong.. this is taking way to long to use.
Thanks for any insight.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Hirata on -
Debbie,
Have you tried using the yellow Solutions mask? I think that's the recommended mask for Opaque.
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Permalink Reply by Debbie Turner on -
I haven't tried that as I thought they told me that the Evolution Mask was the premier and would work on everything so you don't have to have multiple masks around (space is a BIG problem for us). It is sticky like the Solutions Mask. I think I have a few little pieces of the Solutions Mask sitting around, but probably not enough to mask a big item. I finally used up all my TTD so was going to use exclusively evolution now, but if that would fix the problem I guess I could order some.
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Permalink Reply by Diane Hook on -
I have had the same issues even when using Solutions Mask. For me, it is easiest to weed first and try to press any uplifted edges down while slowly masking with the Solutions Mask. I then take the weeding tool and carefully peel any wrinkled edges flat.
Have you tried Stretchprint or Express Print? Both are good for stretchy fabrics and much easier to work with than Solutions Opaque. I had no luck with the Stretchprint profile and instead used the Solutions Opaque profile with some success (slight bleeding of some colors). The Express Print looked beautiful but didn't work well on the thick cotton shirts I am using which shrink quite a bit when washed. Imprintables doesn't seem to have the Express on their site, but I think they can get you a sample. Stahls has it as well. http://www.stahls.com/cad-color-express-print
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Permalink Reply by Peter Sockett on -
I have been using Opaque exclusively since we got our printer last month and have learned a few things. I always print first then cut. as long as you don't need to against black, navy, or forest I haven't had any curling issues. If I have a dark color at the edge of the design we have just been telling customers that a white border is a must. Transfer Express and Stahls both require a white border so our customers are used to it.
When masking I have found that if you peel the mask back over itself it comes off the cleanest with very little wrinkling. When pulled the paper backing back I was getting a lot of wrinkling and paper sticking to the design. Slight wrinkles will work themselves out when printing.
I have had very little problems printing opaque but masking was a pretty big learning curve.
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Permalink Reply by Candy Mattingly on -
I WOULD TRY WEEDING SMALLER SECTIONS AS POSSIBLE. YOU COULD PRINT BIG SECTIONS AND THEN CUT WITH SCISSOR.(ALSO I MASK BIGGER SECTIONS AND CUT WITH SCISSORS) THEN BEFORE PEELING THE BACK OFF I WOULD HIT IT WITH THE SQUEEGIE TO MAKE SURE THE MASK HAS GRIPPED THE DESIGN! LET US KNOW WHAT WORKS!!
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Permalink Reply by Eric Adler on -
I have used Qpaque on stretchy polyester/lycra blend materials that are loose fit and have not had any issues. Not sure what Stretchprint is really for. I tried using it on lycra wrestling singlets, but after a couple of uses the letters peeled off. We re-examined the issue and since the lycra singlets are really just stretchy nylon it was recommended that we use opaque. After trying Opaque on them, that still peeled off easily by hand. My advice from that story would be to avoid printing tight fitting stretchy fabrics like wrestling singlets. The kids wear them one or two sizes too small...that can put too much stretch on the lettering causing it to pop off. -Eric
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