Start out by ensuring the T-shirt is loaded onto the heat press platen straight. Once you have the shirt centered on the platen, it makes it easier to get the graphic in the right place. If you’re threading the shirt and printing it upside down (also known as screen printing style), pull the shirt taut with the bottom platen so the platen is wearing the shirt the way the customer would and make sure the tag is centered on the platen. If you are not threading the shirt, simply line up the tag with the backbone of the heat press.
Once the shirt is centered on the platen, create a center line. A crease down the center of the shirt from the fold makes the perfect alignment tool. To be sure the crease is in the center of the shirt, consider this technique before lining up your graphic. Fold the shirt in half, sleeve to sleeve, and press a center line using your heat press. This provides a crease for centering designs or positioning them properly for a left or right chest print.
If you’re looking for an automated way to ensure complete accuracy, there is no more efficient way to line up graphics then with a T-square, ruler or laser alignment system. A laser alignment system projects up to four lasers onto the garment and maximizes production efficiency. It also guarantees 100% accuracy of the transfer alignment.
Stahls’, a GroupeSTAHL company, is a world leader specializing in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of heat printing technologies. Stahls’ provides customers with the most cost effective and efficient ways to decorate garments. Stahls’ is located in Sterling Heights, MI, with GroupeSTAHL operations located throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. For more information, go to stahls.com, call 800.4.STAHLS, or email
info@stahls.com
