Loading a Garment on the Melco G2

customerAug 8, 2018

There are two generally acceptable methods for loading a garment.

The "Dressed" Garment Loading Method

Dressed – loading the garment around the platen as though the table were wearing the garment. This may be the preferred method especially if the garment does not fit down around the hinged area when closing the frame.
Less deflection of the shirt - "Deflection" is how much the garment is pulled or stretched/scrunched. This can result in distortion of the print itself once the garment is removed from the platen. Because there is only one layer of material on top of the platen, the material is less likely to distort because of the smooth surface of the table.
No risk of seepage - "Seepage" is a situation that can occur resulting from ink leaking from the layer on which you are printing to other parts of the garment (usually any material underneath the top layer). This is more common when using the "undressed" method.

The "Undressed" Garment Loading Method

Undressed – laying a garment on top of the platen so that both the front and back of the garment are above the print table.
More deflection of the shirt (pull/distortion) - "Deflection" is how much the garment is pulled or stretched/scrunched. This can result in distortion of the print itself once the garment is removed from the platen. Because there are two layers of material on top of the platen, the material is more likely to distort because of the grip (friction) between the two fabric surfaces.
Risk of seepage - "Seepage" is a situation that can occur resulting from ink leaking from the layer on which you are printing to other parts of the garment (usually any material underneath the top layer). There is risk of "seepage" when using the "undressed" method

Loading a Garment (Procedure)

Move table out and open platen frame

Move the table to the "load" position (shown below) by pressing the Auto Out button on the table control panel. Raise the platen frame..

Load the garment on the Platen

Place the garment on the platen by laying it flat against the platen with the head of the garment positioned at the front of the platen (closest to you). If the garment is not flat, the printer “obstruction sensor laser” will detect an obstruction and the platen will stop moving until the obstruction is cleared. The garment should be centered on the platen using the area of the garment to be printed upon as your point of reference for center. You should use either the "dressed" (recommended) or the "undressed" method from above.

Close Frame and Tuck Garment Under Platen

Carefully close the platen frame over the garment. This frame provides a gripping surface preventing the garment from sliding on the platen. It also helps to eliminate wrinkles on the garment.

Tuck any loose portion of the garment under the platen but above the print tray being careful not to leave any part of the garment hanging in a place where it may catch on the printer during platen movement. You should be able to easily relate the position of the printing area with what you see in the application program print preview window.