Images_June_2020_Digital_Edition

O ne of the most important considerations for decorating face masks is how the embellishment will feel for the person wearing it, notes Andy Rogers, marketing manager of Target Transfers. “Over the past few months, we have been working with our customers in the UK and the US, through Stahls’, to meet the need for custom and branded face masks,” he explains. Wearing a mask is a novel experience for many, so the thinner and softer the decoration, the better the mask will be received. To get started, you’ll need a heat press, some screen-printed heat transfers or heat-transfer vinyls (HTV), and blank face masks. Andy used the polyester/cotton Lightweight Daily Face Covers from Bella+Canvas for this step-by-step. STEP-BY-STEP: TRANSFER PRINTING ON FACE MASKS 4 Put your transfer on the mask (we recommend using heat tape to keep the design in place). We fused our screen-printed heat transfer, made by Target, for 10 seconds at 160°C 6 The decorated face masks, ready to be worn Peel off the backing sheet as recommended by the manufacturer. As we were using a Target screen- printed heat transfer, we peeled it off when cold. Make sure you wait 24 hours before washing the mask 5 2 Unless you are using a heat press with a lower- heated platen, it is important to always pre-press your material. This will remove any moisture and get the material smooth for application The recommended artwork size is 10.9 x 6.7cm for adults, and 9.9 x 5.9cm for youth masks. Save the file as an AI, EPS or PDF file, then either send the artwork to your transfer manufacturer or to your vinyl cutting machine 1 The shape of cotton masks means they fit perfectly on our Hotronix Auto Open Cap Press, which will allow you to print one at a time. Alternatively, the Hotronix Fusion IQ heat press, seen here, allows many masks to be printed in one go 3 www.images-magazine.com JUNE 2020 images 39 TIPS & TECHNIQUES Howto decorate face masks Andy Rogers of Target Transfers explains how to embellish non-medical face masks quickly and simply using heat-applied transfers