Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about our products or machines and how they work?

Do not hesitate to consult our frequently asked questions to guide you in learning to hot stamping.

If you cannot find the solution in this section, do not hesitate to contact us by phone at +33 9.67.04.74.21

I want to get started in textile marking, in which material should I invest?

If you are new to textile marking, we invite you to consult the articles dedicated to textile marking « Flex, instructions for use » and « Printables, instructions for use ».

The first essential equipment to start in textile marking are:

- A cutting plotter

- A heat press

- Flex or flock

- A textile support (t-shirt)

- A hook and pliers

- Silicone paper

Is it possible to make a textile marking with a simple iron?

Yes, you can definitely use an iron to mark your textile supports. The settings will not be the same as those indicated on the product's technical sheet, we advise you to consult our article dedicated to ironing protocols. The results can be very random depending on the equipment used. The rendering and the lifespan of the product are not guaranteed by the manufacturer, unlike installation carried out with a heat press.

How to choose the right cutting plotter?

The choice of your plotter varies according to your need and the use you want to make of it (personal or professional use).

There are plotters with different cutting widths: small size in 20/30 cm, medium size about 60 cm and large size 120 cm and more. Next, you have to define the performance of the machine: need for precision with cutting very small details, complex materials or if it is basic use in thin materials and large cuts. Finally, you must know the frequency of use of your machine (daily or occasional), small, medium or large series.

How to choose the right heat press?

The choice of your heat press will vary depending on your need and the use you want to make of it.

There are different ranges of presses: manual (opening and closing by hand), automatic (automatic opening and manual closing) and pneumatic (automatic opening and closing) which are used with air conditioning or a compressor. Then you have to choose the opening system for the top tray you want, depending on the space you have and the need. There are wallet or sideways rotating openings. Finally, you have to define the dimensions of the shelves that will be useful for your project. The trays supplied with the presses vary between 40 and 50 cm x 50 cm. Some presses are also equipped with double platens. You also have the possibility of putting additional accessories with personalized plate sizes (heart marking, sleeve marking, etc.).

What file formats are readable with cutting plotters?

You can create your own designs using specific software such as Illustrator or CorelDraw, and import them directly into the cutting software supplied with the plotter. You can also create designs directly on the plotter software.

Should we change the blade and the Teflon tape regularly?

It will depend on your usage. If the plotter is used intensively, we recommend that you change your blade and the Teflon tape approximately every 3 months. If your plotter does not work on a daily basis, you can change your blade and your Teflon tape every 6 months or so depending on the materials you are cutting.

Is it possible to cut something other than flex, flock with my cutting plotter?

You can also cut paper, canson paper, card stock, fine plastic, fabric, imitation leather, etc. On the other hand, each use requires a specific blade. You must have different blades depending on the thickness of the product to be cut to preserve its life and not to damage it too quickly. There are specific blades for cutting thicker materials such as flock, leather or certain fabrics.

Do not hesitate to contact our customer service at +33 9.67.04.74.21.

Do the flex colors displayed on the website match the actual rendering of the product?

Please note that the colors displayed may vary depending on the screen resolution of your computer, tablet or smartphone compared to the actual colors. Each screen has its own resolution with its nuances. In addition, some colors are very complex to transcribe on computer. We therefore advise you to request samples or advice directly from our customer service if you want a specific color.

Printing on printable product is unsatisfactory, colors do not come out well?

Check your printer settings: temperature, pressure and profile.

If the problem persists, we invite you to contact your reseller to find the correct profile.

The result of my marking is not satisfactory, the colors do not stand out and the flocking does not adhere properly to my textile support

Several elements must be checked: the temperature, the duration of the installation or the pressure used. It is important to check that these parameters correspond to the settings recommended on the manufacturer's technical sheet. It is also important to follow the peel tips of the transfer. If this must be done hot, you can remove the polyester support directly from the press. On the other hand, if the peeling must be done cold, it is imperative to wait for the complete cooling of the polyester support before removing it.

If the problem persists, try gradually increasing the temperature and time settings.

We recommend that you always do tests before launching a series of markings.

Traces of glue are visible all around the marking

The problem arises from the overheating of the marking. The pressing temperature was probably too high or the exposure time too long. It is imperative to check the temperature indicated on the display of your press with the actual temperature of your heating plate.

If there is glue residue left even after following the press settings, the problem may be with the peeling of the marking. You must respect the manufacturer's advice on hot or cold peeling of the product.

The flex tends not to stick to washing

It is important to respect the washing temperature specific to each product.

Find all the necessary information on the technical sheets on our site.

After washing, the colors of the transfer have changed / they have become dull

You must check the composition of your textile before marking it. This problem occurs very frequently on sublimated polyester textiles. During washing, the inks of the sublimated textile tend to rise and may tarnish the marking if it is light in color. To guard against this type of incident, we recommend that you use a product that blocks the rise of sublimation inks. These products are labeled ""SIR"" they form a total barrier to the migration of sublimation ink through the marking.

The overlay does not hold

First of all, if you have the slightest doubt, consult the table of overlays produced for this purpose listing all cases.

You will only be able to layer a polyurethane product with a polyurethane and a vinyl with a vinyl. A cold peel product does not overlap with a hot peel product.

Finally, always end the layering with the most fragile product to prevent it from getting damaged.

It is also important to respect the temperature and pressure times indicated on the technical data sheets.