Troubleshooter PASSED:p5-14 NEWSJanuary 09 16/03/2009 15:56 Page 54
INDUSTRY TROUBLE SHOOTER
A Stitch in Time...
This month Tony Whitmore looks at a couple of things
that, whilst not common problems, can give serious
cause for concern if and when they happen.
Removing oil stains and other marks: remove most stains. Many who operate these guns when the garment has been dispatched. As with
Even though modern machines operate in a cleaner though make a fundamental mistake in the way they most problems there can be a number of
way than the older models there is still a chance that use them. To get the maximum benefit from the explanations but there are two that would rate as
you may get the odd splash of oil on a garment action of the gun the water or cleaning fluid needs to the most common, border width and type of fabric.
especially just after lubricating your machine. If this blasted through the fabric into an open space. This The border that is embroidered around the edge of
happens then you have the choice of throwing that ensures that the dirt is dispersed and also allows the the appliqué fabric is one of the most important
garment away and starting again which, of course, fluid to evaporate more quickly. It is also more areas of this type of design. It is extremely important
costs you money or cleaning the garment. There are effective to have the garment under stress such as that the width is sufficient to firmly hold the fabric
these days cleaning agents that can be used on when it is an embroidery frame. As with all cleaning and it is normally recommended that a minimum
isolated areas of garments but with the majority of fluids though you should always check that the 3mm border be used. In the studio at Your
these you need to follow up with a washing cycle garment and the embroidery will withstand the Embroidery Services Ltd. we always use this as the
and this is generally neither desirable nor advisable. process so a trial is strongly recommended. starting point but sometimes the design itself does
One way of attacking this situation though is with a not lend itself to this so what then? You MUST
spot cleaning gun such as the BBI TG-002A as Stopping appliqué fabric from contact the customer, explain the situation and let
supplied by Your Embroidery Services Ltd. These pulling out: them make the decision. At least then if faults
devices have their own built in motor and so you just Currently appliqué is not as popular as in the past develop later on you have the “I told you so…”
have to plug it into the mains and away you go. They but there does seem to be a move back towards it in comfort factor. Even when the border is the correct
work by forcing a jet of water or cleaning fluid some areas of fashion so to lay down a few rules width though this problem can still occur and much
through the textile at high pressure which picks up now could save a lot of time, and heartache, later on. of the time this is down to the fabric itself. Not all
the dirt and transports it out of the garment. Because First of all though let’s explain exactly what appliqué textiles are suitable for appliqué as the weave, for
of the pressure used these very often work well with is. The dictionary definition is “decorative work in instance, may be too open or slack and therefore not
plain water but sometimes stubborn stains require which one piece of cloth is sewn or fixed onto afford enough strength to hold it under the border. If
something a little more substantial and in these another, or the activity of decorating cloth in this you are using a woven fabric, and most appliqué
instances you will need to use an approved cleaning way”. In embroidery terms it can be a very useful fabrics fall into this category, then it is important that
fluid. In earlier years the standard for this was way of filling an area without using stitches and the weave is fairly dense as this means that a
Trichloroethylene but this became a strictly controlled thereby keeping stitch time down it also affording an number of weave or weft threads will be caught
substance back in 2003 making it virtually impossible attractive design variation. One of the most common under the border stitching resulting in a better hold.
to use legally in an embroidery environment. Modern problems with this type of embroidery is where the For further information contact Your
substances are likely to contain either Methylene appliqué fabric itself pulls out from under the border Embroidery Services Ltd. on 01623 863343 or e-
chloride or Perchloroethylene and, whilst not as and, to make matters worse, this is not always mail them at sales@yesltd.co.uk or visit
powerful as Trich’, they are still strong enough to immediately obvious not showing itself until later on www.yesltd.co.uk
BEHIND THE
While relaxing in the hot sun after First of all, and this is personal nice row of lamps – you get massive
SCREENS..:
a particularly hard session, I couldn’t choice, I’m not a big fan of built in heat and more light than Paul
help but be reminded of a recent flash curers – I know the stand alone experienced on the road to
Dr Hackett’s sideways
letter from Barry Gibbon at T-Pee in one’s usually mean wires all over the Damascus. One day Brigitte and I will
Droitwich. ‘Dear Doc, I’m a one man floor, and ink reps tripping and retire to Tahiti beach, but in the
look at screenprinting
band printer, operating out of a wearing a tub of lycra base for a hat, meantime they also deliver an
Bonjour de nouveau mes concombres Nissan hut at the back of the Pukka but I like the flexibility of being able additional bonus; five minutes a day
d'amour battant, et accueil en arrière Pie factory off the M42. Until recently to move them exactly where I want under the lamps is saving us pounds
à une autre séance avec le I’ve been drying ink in between print them, directing heat to very specific at the tanning salon* Until next
Docteur…….yes you guessed it mes colours using my wife’s hairdryer, but areas.As for your elements – ceramic month my friends, yours, nicely cured,
amis, I’m just back from topping up it’s got to stop – the Mrs is starting tend to be cheaper I guess, but as Dr. H. * Do not try this at home – Dr
my Mediterranean tan on the good to look like Don King on a cattle you know you can get the odd cold H is a highly trained professional,
old Cote d’Azur. prod, and besides, business is picking spot and end up with a sticky patch with skin like a Cowboy’s hat.
Like most of you I wouldn’t go up and I think it’s time to invest in a of ink. Next best might be
near St Tropez during the season, spot curer. I’ve had a look at a few those fiendishly clever
preferring my sun bleached hut in the but I’m confused – do I want ceramic cartridges that can slide into
small fishing village of Guissan, but elements or lamps, freestanding or your spot curer. They give a
at this time of the year there’s only built in, and do I need a timer, and much flatter all over heat,
one place for me, and that’s on ST’s should it be constantly on or flash on and when they eventually
most renowned Tahiti Beach, I can tell and off with a sensor, and… ?’ die you don’t need to buy a
you.Made famous by Brigitte Bardot, Whoah there Barry, turn down your whole new unit, just slide a
and infamous for its nudity, I love thermostat to 2, your belt speed to new one into your existing
nothing more than a game of naked one, free index your auto and hold stand. But my favourite I
volleyball at The Flobbalob Club. the Doctor’s hand. think are the ones with a
| 54 | April 2009 www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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