At Vinta studio, we create prints using heat transfer methods. We print single-color designs ourselves with a Roland cutter, and for multicolor prints, we use a Finnish company specializing in transfers.
I've noticed that the numbers on sports jerseys start to bubble up after just a few uses and washes. Player numbers are mostly made with heat-press vinyl, which requires careful washing. The jersey should be washed inside out, with a short spin cycle. But – how many people have the time or patience to follow these instructions? Jerseys are washed almost daily, and rarely is there time to handle just the jersey with extra care.
The image below shows how the number has started to bubble and even slightly torn at the corner.
I heat-pressed the number, and the bubbling and tear smoothed out, making the number look even again!
You can heat-press the number at home too, but you need to be extremely careful with the temperature:
Set the iron to the lowest heat setting. (1-dot) The correct temperature is +125°C, but iron settings often go like this:
* +110°C
** +150°C
*** +200°C
- Place the jersey on the ironing board
- Take baking paper and place it over the number
- Press firmly for 15 seconds
- If the temperature seems too low, you can slightly increase the heat