Heat setting on surfaces that state "Do Not Iron"

[MikeTBurt]

My girlfriend guaranteed that I would do a custom design for a friend if she qualified for the Ironman Triathlon, and, lo and behold she did. She's going to get a jersey for me to paint the design on. I'm not worried about doing the design (I'll post it when it becomes a reality), but I would like for it to hold as long as possible. With a black triathlon jersey that I painted on, it stated "Do Not Iron". I didn't heat set (used Safe-tee) and the design I painted on it was essentially lost after the first wash (this was my own sample, no big deal, I still have a good photo of the design). I did a design and ironed it for heat setting for my girlfriend last year when she qualified for the Kona triathlon, it held, although I can't remember if it specified "do not iron".

To the real question - ideally, I'd like to heat set properly - will this be safe for the jersey if it specifies you shouldn't iron it? I'll be using createx or ETAC, I haven't decided yet, and ideally I'll find a local T-Shirt shop to do the heat setting versus using the 3 minute iron routine. The jersey hasn't been bought yet either, so I could potentially intervene to give specifications. I suspect the desire is to actually continue to use the jersey beyond the Ironman triathlon, not to have it put into a frame for a keepsake after the race (well, and lets face it, would you want to frame a sweaty jersey that you ran 26 miles in before washing it once?).

[GriffenGrafx]

You say the Save-Tee stuff doesn't work? I haven't tested that newer product yet but I won't throw away my heatpress if I did get my hands on that spray stuff. Thx for the info. I prefer cotton blend fabrics because of that iron safe issue. Sometimes you must paint the 'cool iron only' item that customer insists you do. I give alot of warnings what not heatsetting it will eventually fade with washings. Try to discourage their choice. The paint will 'cure' after 10days so by waiting to wash as long as possible means less chance of fading. Being careful with an iron or heatgun is possible, if your CAREFUL. I have even used a spraycan of clearcoat to mist lightly over few tuff materials for added insurance. Createx has a gloss coat you can try. Of course you won't want it to be 'glossy' but more or less sealed over. I might recommend Dry Clean Only for those you shouldn't wash yourself. Always use cold water and delicate cycle. I'm intereted in hearing others opinions...good luck!

[bennco]

You ideally want a fabric that has some cotton in it.. that being said - I seriously doubt that this jersey has any.. some fancy 'CoolMax' material or something..

With all that chucked out the window - just paint on your material (whatever it is) then heat set using a hair dryer.. you are gonna have to give it more time.. but this is the best option..

Reason is that if it says 'DO NOT IRON' then it probably has some materials in it that react harshly to extreme heat.. you don't want to burn the shirt with the iron.. and that's real easy to do if you are talking some exotic material..

So.. No commercial heat press.. you will be a great risk of burning the material.. and even having it melt onto the top of the iron.. synthetics do that sort of thing.. wonderful sticky, stinky, super difficult to clean up mess (yes, speaking from experience on that one)
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Hair Dryer is your answer.. just blast it.. keep the hair dryer moving (I would say a regular front of shirt design size would take about 5 minutes to heat set with a hair dryer).. you can get pretty close to the surface.. but just as a control, keep your hand close.. you want to get the surface of any of this sort of material just a little hotter than you can stand with your bare hand for a couple of seconds.

.. and if you are using E-Tac.. put a good spray of Private Stock 'Extend-Air' on as a top coat.. you should be sorted...

Regards

Bennco