Hexis Flex dao 200 series User guide

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APPLICATION GUIDE

Polyurethane lm:

FLEX DAO:

(200 - 300 - 400 and 600 Series)

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

›A plotter

›A heat press

›Flex DAO

›A textile

›A TEFLEX protection sheet, or silicone paper or

parchment paper (optional)

FEATURES

Plotter lms for heat transfer:

200 Series

300 Series

400 Series

600 Series

Thickness (μm) 90 70 110 120

Material of the lm

Polyurethane  

Polyurethane and Polyamide 

Retro-reective 

For fabrics

Cotton 

Polyester 

Nylon 697N

Sublimated 

For further technical information, please refer to the data sheet available on the

“Professionals” pages on our website at www.hexis-graphics.com.

SUMMARY

1. RECOMMENDATIONS: �� 2

2� CUTTING THE FILMS: �� 2

2�1� Introduction to plotting:�� 2

2�2� Preliminary plotting test: �� 2

2�3� Mirror plotting and weeding: �� 3

3� GRAPHICS APPLICATION:�� 3

3�1� Customising your heat press:�� 3

3�2� Textile preheating:�� 3

3�3� Positioning the graphics:�� 4

3�4� Pressing: �� 4

3�5� Removing the liner while being warm or cold: �� 4

3�6� In the case of an additional graphics, positioning it as follows: �� 5

3�7� Pressing: �� 5

3�8� Removing the liner while being warm or cold: �� 5

3�9� Final result:�� 5

4� CARE OF TEXTILES WITH FLEX DAO: �� 6

STORE YOUR FILMS UNDER APPROPRIATE CONDITIONS

Keep the lms away from any major source of

heat (radiators and heaters, direct exposure to

sunlight, etc.):

Shelf life: 1 year when stored in their original

packaging at a temperature ranging from

15 °C to 25 °C (59 °F to 77 °F) with relative

humidity between 30 % and 70 %.

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APPLICATION GUIDE |FLEX DAO: 200 - 300 - 400 and 600 Series

Application methods are based upon HEXIS’ experience and are non-restrictive.

Comply with instructions to ease application of HEXIS lms.

HEXIS

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1. RECOMMENDATIONS:

› To protect delicate fabrics against possible shine caused by direct contact of the fabric with

the hot metal of the press, you can use any of the following:

- a TEFLON®TEFLEX protection sheet;

- a silicone or parchment paper.

› Prior to any first application, carry out different tests about:

- the resistance of the fabric with the press temperature.

- the compatibility of the PLOTTER FLEX film with the fabric.

› Apply to a previously washed fabric.

› For optimum durability, avoid application of the PLOTTER FLEX lm over seams.

2. CUTTING THE FILMS:

The lms should preferably be stored under the same environmental conditions as the

plotter.

Important note specic to Flex600: The Flex600 lms feature a exible and thin soft blue-

green protection lm at their surface. This lm must be removed before plotting the lm.

The pressure of the blade has to be adjusted depending on the lm.

It is recommended to carry out a plotting test before starting a production run.

If the pressure is too high, the protective liner may slightly crack causing adhesive bleeding.

This would make the weeding process more dicult.

In any case, it is recommended to weed the material right after cutting.

2.1. Introduction to plotting:

The smallest possible size to be cut depends on the condition of the blade, pressure, cutting

speed and plotter. In general, an acceptable height is 10mm (0.4in), with serifs of 1.5mm

(0.06in.), at medium speed and with a blade in good shape. Smaller letters can be obtained

by reducing the speed.

For instance, the recommended medium speed for a ROLAND® GX24 cutting plotter is

20cm/s (7.87 in./s).

Note: In any case, carefully wread the operating manual of the cutting plotter and carry out

a preliminary test.

The blade must cut the polyurethane lm and the adhesive surface. (FIG. 01)

A blunt and worn blade will impair the quality of the cutting and will require a higher

pressure. Weeding will also be more dicult.

2.2. Preliminary plotting test:

In order to determine the plotter settings, we advise you to carry out a preliminary test:

›Cut a square of 10cm x 10cm (3.94in. x 3.94in.).

›Weed (FIG. 02) (FIG. 03): remove any excess material.

›Check:

›that the cut square adheres well to the liner;

›that the liner is free of any incision.

›Weeding will be successful if the plotter is properly set up (pressure, speed, shape of the

blade).

Figure 01

Figure 02

Figure 03

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HEXIS

2.3. Mirror plotting and weeding:

(For Flex600 only)

›Remove the thin protection lm from the surface of the lm. (FIG. 04)

(For all PLOTTER FLEX)

›Cut a mirror image. (FIG. 05)

›Weed (FIG. 06) (FIG. 07) (FIG. 08): remove any excess material.

3. GRAPHICS APPLICATION:

3.1. Customising your heat press:

(FIG. 09)

› Pressure: medium depending on the type of press used.

PLOTTER FLEX Indicative press temperature

FLEX 200 160 °C (320 °F)

FLEX 300 150 °C (302 °F)

FLEX 400 160 °C (320 °F)

FLEX 600 160 °C (320 °F)

3.2. Textile preheating:

Purpose: removing humidity from the textile.

› Position the textile on the press. (FIG. 10)

Figure 04

Figure 05

Figure 06 Figure 07 Figure 08

Figure 09

10Figure

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HEXIS

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› Press for 3 seconds to preheat the textile. (FIG. 11)

3.3. Positioning the graphics:

› When the textile is returned to ambient temperature, position the lettering/graphics

viewed in the normal reading direction (the liner is on top and the polyurethane lm must

be in direct contact with the fabric). (FIG. 12)

› Some fabrics/clothes have an irregular thickness (seams, rivets, buttons, etc.) and

therefore require an additional support between the fabric and the press table, which

should be:

- as large as the graphics or slightly larger,

- thick enough

to allow the PLOTTER Flex to perfectly t the hot plate. (FIG. 13)

3.4. Pressing:

(FIG. 14)

PLOTTER FLEX Indicative press temperature

without fabric protection

Indicative press temperature

with fabric protection

FLEX 200 160 °C (320 °F) - 20 s 180 °C (356 °F) - 30 s

FLEX 300 150 °C (302 °F) - 15 s 170 °C (338 °F) - 25 s

FLEX 400 160 °C (320 °F) - 20 s 180 °C (356 °F) - 30 s

FLEX 600 160 °C (320 °F) - 20 s 180 °C (356 °F) - 30 s

3.5. Removing the liner while being warm or cold:

(FIG. 15) (FIG. 16)

PLOTTER FLEX Remove the tape when the Flex is:

FLEX 200 Warm (between 30 °C and 60 °C

(86 °F and 140 °F))

FLEX 300 Warm (between 30 °C and 60 °C

(86 °F and 140 °F))

FLEX 400 Warm (between 30 °C and 60 °C

(86 °F and 140 °F))

FLEX 600 Warm (about 30 °C (86 °F))

Figure

Figure 12

Zipper Seam

Fabric

PLOTTER FLEX

Zipper Seam

PRESS at T °C

Support

PLOTTER FLEX

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

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HEXIS

3.6. In the case of an additional graphics, positioning it as follows:

(FIG. 17)

› As a precaution, you may protect the entire graphics by means of:

- the previously removed protective liner,

- a TEFLEX TEFLON®protection sheet,

- a silicon or parchment paper.

3.7. Pressing:

(FIG. 18)

Plotter FLEX Indicative press temperature

without fabric protection

Indicative press temperature

with fabric protection

FLEX 200 160 °C (320 °F) - 20 s 180 °C (356 °F) - 30 s

FLEX 300 150 °C (302 °F)- 15 s 170 °C (338 °F) - 25 s

FLEX 400 160 °C (320 °F) - 20 s 180 °C (356 °F) - 30 s

FLEX 600 160 °C (320 °F) - 20s 180 °C (356 °F) - 30 s

3.8. Removing the liner while being warm or cold:

(FIG. 19)

› Textile temperature ranging from 30 °C to 60 °C (86 °F to 140 °F).

3.9. Final result:

(FIG. 20)

› Dierent outcomes and surface nishings can be obtained depending on the protection

sheet used during a second pass in the heat press.

For best results and optimal adhesion:

› Place on the graphics’s surface either:

- a TEFLEX protection sheet or

- a parchment or silicone paper.

Silicone paper silicone-coated side to be placed on the graphics

› Press the entire layer assembly.

Conditions:

› Temperature: 170 °C (338 °F)

› Time: 10 seconds

The eect of this second run is to let the Flex lm penetrate between the textile bres, thus

improving its adherence.

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

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APPLICATION GUIDE |FLEX DAO: 200 - 300 - 400 and 600 Series

HEXIS

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HEXIS S.A.

Z.I. Horizons Sud - CS 970003

F - 34118 FRONTIGNAN CEDEX

FRANCE

Tel. +33 4 67 18 66 80

Fax +33 4 67 48 38 79

E-mail: [email protected]

For further technical information, please refer to the Technical Data Sheets available for free download from our website www.hexis-graphics.com, on the

“Professionals” pages.

Due to the great variety of substrates and the growing number of new applications, the installer must check the suitability of the media for each application.

All the published information does not however constitute a binding guarantee. The seller cannot be held liable for indirectly related damages and assumes

no liability for claims that are higher than the replacement value of the purchased product. All specications are subject to potential changes without prior

notice. Our specications are automatically updated on our website www.hexis-graphics.com.

4. CARE OF TEXTILES WITH FLEX DAO:

› After pressing, wait for at least 24 hours before washing the garment.

› The maximum machine washing temperature is 40 °C (104 °F).

› Use laundry products free of chlorine bleach.

› Tumble drying is not recommended.

› We recommend you to wash and iron your garment inside out.

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APPLICATION GUIDE |FLEX DAO: 200 - 300 - 400 and 600 Series

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