Questions
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
The FAQ offers answers to questions about our products. We invite our customers to submit questions and we will do our best to answer them here.
Q. I tried to place an order, but the website would not accept it. Why?
A. Our website will decline an order if the customer has not logged in first. New customers need to first register with our site, establishing a user name and password, before placing an order. You can register or login, using the same button on our page menu found at the top of each page.
Q. Why does the shirt color come through when I use Jet Opaque?
A. Several factors come into play when using opaque papers; time, temperature and pressure. Most people get the time and temperature right, but don't adjust the press pressure correctly. Remember you are dealing with a plastic material, it melts and scorches. Check the time and temperature, then adjust your pressure. I think your problem with disappear quickly. If you are scorching the opaque material cut back on your time.
Q. I have lost the instructions for using my paper. Where can I get a copy?
A. Copies of all product directions are available on the "Product Information" page, found under "Customer Services".
Q. Can you press one image on top of another?
A. We recently had a customer ask the same question and the answer is yes. We used Jet-Pro SofStretch to create a background image for the first pressing. We pressed the first image onto a shirt as instructed on the information sheet supplied with our paper. Once completed we pressed a second image, being sure to cover the shirt with a pressing sheet (silicone or paper) to prevent sticking to the press, across the existing image.
An example of one image pressed on-top of another is shown here. We first pressed the colored blocks, then over-laid the text.
Q. How come the corners curl up when I use Jet Opaque?
A. I’ve had this complaint before from some of our customers. This is a simple problem to resolve. Three elements determine the outcome of a well pressed garment; time, temperature and pressure. If you have applied your transfer at the correct time and temperature then increasing your pressure will generally fix the problem. Another suggestion is to go to your local office supply and buy a Bidex Corner Rounding Punch #CP-6A marketed by Carl Brands. They work great. For some reason, I have yet to investigate, rounding the corner of Jet Opaque transfers allows them to sit flat and bond perfectly.
Q. Is it true laser heat transfer paper will ruin my laser printer?
A. The first time I put a sheet of heat transfer paper thru our laser printer it came out all messed up. It looked like the paper had melted and my heart sank. I was sure I had ruined my new Okidata C3400 printer. Sadly some repair technicians will gladly take your money for this fix, telling you the fuser or rollers on your laser printer are ruined requiring hundreds of dollars to fix. I admit, I have seen printers damaged from using the wrong paper. In this case you are no more likely to damage your laser printer with heat transfer paper then you would by putting tissue paper thru it.
Laser printers work quite well with heat transfer paper. To resolve my own “melted fuser” problem, I put several sheets of bond paper thru the printer. The melted polymer came off after just three sheets returning my printer to production.
Here’s what I learned. Laser papers require you to set the weight for your paper. For example my Okidata C3400 uses the Label2 setting for Neenah’s Techni-Print and the Glossy setting for Neenah Image Clip Laser Dark. The “weight” setting determines how fast the paper feeds thru the printer. Too slow or fast and you have a problem with the transfer.
Generally we suggest you test every laser paper you use for optimal weight setting. Start at the highest and back down. It doesn’t usually take more than a couple sheets to find the perfect setting. Your supplier should be able to tell you the proper weight setting before using the paper, so ask.
Q. How do I print a picture using MSP Weed Free Light paper?
A. Use a photo manipulation program such as Photoshop to add approximately 15% tone in the white areas. Adding tone, in effect adds color to light areas. If you are using Photoshop select Image > Adjustments > Levels > Output Levels: change the white levels to suit, as indicated in the illustration.
The important thing to remember is you must have tone in white or light areas acting as a color to successfully transfer an image to the fabric. Not all photographs are suitable for this method. Some trial and error will be needed to determine the right about of adjustment to be successful.
Q. Sometimes my paper jams in the printer. I noticed that the edges curl too. What causes this?
A. This occurs most often when heat transfer paper is not stored flat in the original plastic bag. The paper will absorb moisture causing it to curl. This in-turn can cause the paper to jam in your printer. Always store your paper in the original packaging. Michigan Specialty Paper always ships your paper in plastic bags. Remove only the amount of paper you need to complete your project, then reseal the plastic bag. Put the resealed bag of paper in a box or drawer, out of the open light and that should solve your problem.
