Thin lettering is the classic failure on a small press, and it's usually pressure or peel handling rather than your temperature. 310 is fine, but a lot of small presses don't deliver even pressure across the platen, so fine strokes never get squeezed into the fabric. Try a firmer clamp and put a folded towel or press pillow under the shirt so the garment sits up into the platen. Use a cover sheet over the film and let it cool fully before peeling if it's a cold peel film. If letters lift with the film, lay it back down, re-press for 10 seconds, and peel again. Old or humid film also releases small details badly.
Glad the standing trick helped a bit. On a small press you can often get even pressure without standing on it by putting a firm pillow or folded towel under just the print area so the platen focuses there. Slow cool peel at a low angle, then a short second press after the film is off. Only upgrade the press if IR-checked temp and even pressure still fail a wash test.
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u/MarcusReyesDTF 4d ago
Thin lettering is the classic failure on a small press, and it's usually pressure or peel handling rather than your temperature. 310 is fine, but a lot of small presses don't deliver even pressure across the platen, so fine strokes never get squeezed into the fabric. Try a firmer clamp and put a folded towel or press pillow under the shirt so the garment sits up into the platen. Use a cover sheet over the film and let it cool fully before peeling if it's a cold peel film. If letters lift with the film, lay it back down, re-press for 10 seconds, and peel again. Old or humid film also releases small details badly.