It’s my first official post.  It’s Olympic time.  Why not?  As I sit here trying to focus on my first post, I cant help but be distracted by the Olympic Games.  What is it about the Olympics that generates so much interest?  Is it the National Pride?  Is it the fact that it only happens every 4 years?  Maybe it’s just having the opportunity to see the best athletes in the world competing on the highest level. 

How interesting would it be to have a “Heat Press Olympics”?  Now what could be the games?  Don’t you worry, I’ve already thought about it…

Heat Press Ping Pong– A game of paddle skill.  Three separate classes will exist.  Clam Shell, Swinger, and Draw.    Curious about the game?  Read on.
 

The Clam Shell game may be considered the easiest of the three.  Since a Clam Shell Heat Press looks like well, a clam shell, all that will have to be done is to hit the Ping Pong ball off of the bottom then top platen.

An example of a Clam Shell style press, The Phoenix Phire, is pictured below. 

 

The Swing Away Press aka Swinger will be the medium level.  Given the Swinger’s upper platen moves fully to the side of the lower platen, the Ping Pong Ball will have to be played off the floor and then the upper platen.  You may be able to get a full view of the garment on the press and you wont be burning any knuckles, but the view of that little white ball will surely be blocked. 

The Hotronix Swinger

Finally, the Draw.  For those who may not know, the Draw Press gets it’s name because the lower platen comes out much like a drawer.  This makes it very easy to get to everything that you need to pre-press, but how can you possibly hit the ball between the platen and press at those angels?  Still only one bounce here folks.  Only the most talented. 

The Hotronix Draw

Alright, one game down.  What’s next?

Heat Press 50 & 150– No hurdles here. The 50 is a race to 50 completed Heat Transfers and, naturally the 150 is a race to 150 pressed Heat Transfers.

The race to 50 requires speed and agility. Using the Auto-Release Phoenix Phire pictured above in Clam Shell Ping Pong, each competitor will have 50 transfers of their choosing to press. With the Auto-Release, competitors won’t get easily tired out pressing and opening the press with each application.

The 150 may require a little more fire power. The Hotronix Air Swinger would be the Heat Press of choice here. The Air Swinger will apply the transfers and conserve energy for the competitors. All the competitors will have to do is press two buttons for the press to come down and release after the programed time! Seems easy, I know.

And Finally…

Speed Weeding – It can be said that this is a game of patience and requires a keen eye.  I say it just takes a little practice.

Speed Weeding will draw the crowds.  Seeing small pieces of Heat Applied Vinyls or Films as they (mostly) truly are fly through the air at astounding speeds is bound to draw awe from attending spectators and high ratings from the interested watching in the comfort of their home.  For those who don’t know, Weeding is the practice of taking away the “waste” material from a design cut on a Vinyl Cutter, leaving just your precisely cut Name, Number, Name & Number Combo, corporate logo, or just a really cool looking design on a Mylar backing ready to be Heat Pressed down.  For a fun, and I’m sure appreciated twist, Synchronized Speed Weeding can give you the help of a friend or even a family bonding experience. 

Now the best part about these Heat Press Olympics is that they do not have to be categorized as a Summer Or Winter Olympic Games.  Instead, these games can be enjoyed year round.  A Heat Press gives your business  opportunities no matter what time of year it is.  Tips, tricks, ideas and innovation will be coming your way.  Stay tuned!