USCutter Blue Ox User Manual page 4

How to calibrate the pressure of your new Heat
Press:
Instructions from manufacturers of heat transfer vinyls and transfer papers will instruct you to
use Low, Medium, or High Pressure during the application process. Here's how to calibrate your
machine and identify those settings. (Do this while the platens are cold.)
1. Turn the pressure knob counterclockwise a few times to lower pressure on the platens.
2. Place a piece of paper onto the bottom of the platen.
3. Close the clamshell press using the handle.
4. Pull on the paper.
5. If the paper moves at all, turn the knob clockwise and try again.
6. Try again and repeat until the paper doesn't move at all. This is your "Medium"
pressure.
From the "Medium" setting, High pressure will be clockwise one to two turns. Low pressure will be
counterclockwise one to two turns. The number of turns will depend the thickness of the garment.
Note: Using Medium and High pressure will make it a bit difficult to close the heat press. During the
pressing process, the goal is to press the heated material into the fibers of the garment.
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How to press Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV):
1. Use a vinyl cutter to cut your heat transfer vinyl material. Remember, that unless otherwise instructed
by the manufacturer, you will want to Mirror the design so that when it cuts it appears backwards. Using
Sure Cuts A Lot, this option will appear on your Cut Setting menu as a click-box. With Vinyl Master, you
will find the selection for the "MIRROR" option in the Send To Be Cut pop-up window.
2. Weed your design, removing the excess material. Remember to remove any material inside the cavity
such as the inside of the letters O and A.
3. Find the appropriate heating instructions for the material you are using either online or in the chart
located on the Blue Ox heat press/ this manual, and set your time and temperature according to the
manufacturer's recomended settings.
4. Use the Pressure Adjustment Knob on the top of the press to adjust the pressure as recommended.
5. When the heat press reaches it's target temperature, place your garment on the bottom platen so that it is
flat and there are no wrinkles in the material. Warning: The Platens will be
6. Pre-press the garment for 2 to 3 seconds to remove wrinkles and moisture.
7. Position the heat transfer vinyl on the shirt so that the colored vinyl on the liner is touching the shirt. Your
design should appear through the liner un-mirrored.
8. Lay a sheet of non-stick paper over the design to keep the top platen clean and avoid scorching the
surface of your heat transfer vinyl.
9. Press the material at the time/temperature recommended by the manufacturer.
10. Open the press and remove the non-stick paper. Set it aside as it can be re-used.
11. Peel the liner off the top of the garment based on manufactuerer instructions.
VERY HOT!
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