Heat Pressing Transfers on Nylon Bags - Protect the Plastic?

[screenxpress]

I'm pressing some bags and it's been melting the nylon ribs on the sides at the edge of the press (Hix Swingaway).

Bags barely fit on the base so the plastic ribbings run up and over the corner.

What do you put down to shield the plastic ribs so they won't melt?

[Frog]

I'm pressing some bags and it's been melting the nylon ribs on the sides at the edge of the press (Hix Swingaway).

Bags barely fit on the base so the plastic ribbings run up and over the corner.

What do you put down to shield the plastic ribs so they won't melt?

When the image is small enough, I use a small "label" press to dodge that stuff.

On a standard press, you need to build up the area where you want the pressure, and mask the areas you don't want as hot.
I have folded over teflon pillows to make them fit. I've even used thin wood with a soft top for the build-ups. Mousepads can work as well
I've used a couple of thicknesses of cereal box type cardboard to mask.

[screenxpress]

I'm okay on the buildup using cut up mouse pads, but the area way outside any image has plastic ribs that catch the outside edges of the press.

I wasn't using anything on top since I didn't notice the melting right away, but I have a thin teflon sheet that would cover everything, I don't suppose just that teflon layer would be enough, right?  I need to come up with something to cover the plastic ribs that is not so thick as to now allow the press to do the job on the transfers. 

[Frog]

Can't you dodge the ribs with the build up, and then place the cardboard mask (center cut out where image is being pressed)

[screenxpress]

It's just up too close even with the buildup under the press image. 

I don't have a cutout....yet.

When you mention cardboard, are we talking like uhaul box cardboard or like table backing?

[Frog]

I use stuff like cereal box cardboard

[screenxpress]

Thanks