Do You Need a Cover Sheet When Heat Pressing Transfers?

Why Do Some Transfers Lift When You Press?

If you’ve ever seen your transfer stick to the top plate and momentarily lift off the garment as the press opens, you’re not imagining it. What’s happening is:

• The carrier sheet is very smooth and glossy.
• When the press closes, it forms a vacuum against the hot top platen.
• As the platen lifts, it pulls the carrier up with it.
• This can cause edges to lift or create an inconsistent peel.

This is most common with:

• UltraColour PRO (cold peel) — highly glossy, single-sided.
• UltraColour MAX — designed with an anti-static matte backing, but still susceptible on some presses.

If your carrier lifts even briefly, you’ll want to introduce a cover sheet to keep it held down.

When Should You Definitely Use a Cover Sheet?

1. When the transfer carrier is lifting with the top plate

If the transfer or carrier sucks up when the press opens, a cover sheet will:

• break the vacuum effect
• hold the transfer firmly down
• give you cleaner, more consistent peels

2. When pressing sublimated polyester (sports jerseys, etc.)

Sublimated dyes can gas out under heat and transfer onto your top platen. That dye can then contaminate the next garments you press, especially whites.

A cover sheet acts as a protective barrier and prevents platen staining.

Option 1: Using Cotton as a Cover Sheet

A simple scrap of cotton—like the back of an old T-shirt—is one of the most versatile cover sheet options.

How to use a cotton cover

1. Load the garment (Ben uses a Hotronix Fusion IQ with a Hotronix Tag Along Platen for easy T-shirt centring).
2. Position your transfer (e.g. UltraColour MAX).
3. Lay the cotton piece flat over the print area.
4. Press for your usual temperature and pressure, but add an additional couple of seconds to allow the heat to penetrate through the cotton.
5. Peel the cotton off carefully—it will be hot.
6. Peel the transfer carrier.

Bonus: A “pressed-in” finish

A short second press with the cotton on top can help press the cotton texture into the transfer, making it feel more integrated with the garment.

Things to watch with cotton

• It holds heat—handle with care.
• Make sure it’s flat and crease-free.
• Keep it clean and free from lint, dirt or ink from old prints.

Option 2: Baking Paper / Parchment Paper

Parchment (Kraft) or baking paper is a popular choice because it’s stable, flat and easy to work with. It’s also fantastic for preventing sublimation dye from reaching your top platen.

Follow the same process as for cotton covers above

Heat adjustment required

Parchment can be thicker than cotton, so it can slow heat transfer slightly. You may need to add a couple of extra seconds.

• Thick parchment = slower heat transfer
• Baking paper (thinner) = faster heat transfer, but still may need slight adjustment

Always check your peel behaviour and increase time if required.

Option 3: Teflon Sheets

Teflon is durable, easy to handle and ideal when you’re re-pressing a print or working near seams and zips. Nothing sticks to it, making it an excellent protective layer.

Loose vs fitted Teflon

• Loose Teflon sheet: Best for preventing carrier lift, as it sits on the garment and moves with it.
• Fitted Teflon cover: Wraps around the top platen, but if pulled too tight it can still create a vacuum that causes the transfer to lift.

If your main goal is to stop the carrier lifting, a loose Teflon sheet is the better option.

Option 4: Application Pads (For Heat-Sensitive Fabrics)

Application pads—such as the Hotronix Flexible App Pad—are thick, stretchy and slightly spongy. They’re designed to protect fabrics that scorch easily or always show press-box marks.

How they work

An application pad absorbs heat and slows its transfer. This turns a fast, direct “pan fry” press into a gentle “oven bake” to heat the transfer

Time adjustment

You must add approximately 20 seconds to your usual application time when using an app pad.

• Normal press: 10 seconds
• Press with app pad: ~30 seconds

If you test the garment after 10–15 seconds, you’ll notice it’s barely warm—that’s why the full extended time is required.

Safety warning

Application pads become extremely hot. Only touch the cool edges, and peel the pad back carefully by rolling it away from the heated area. Never flick it over your shoulder.

How Cover Sheets Affect Peel and Application

Your transfer’s instructions still apply—time, temperature, pressure and peel method—but your cover sheet choice can slightly change heat behaviour.

UltraColour PRO (Cold Peel)

• Press through your chosen cover sheet.
• Remove the cover.
• Place the shirt aside and allow it to cool fully before peeling the carrier.

UltraColour MAX (Hot Peel)

• Press through the cover sheet.
• Remove the cover.
• Peel the carrier hot on the platen as usual - MAX is a very forgiving transfer and doesn't need to be peeled instantly - don't rush the peel.

Whenever you introduce parchment, baking paper, Teflon or especially an application pad, be ready to adjust your press time slightly.

Which Cover Sheet Should You Use?

• Cotton offcut: Great all-rounder, gives a soft integrated finish on a second press.
• Baking/parchment paper: Perfect for sublimated garments and platen protection.
• Teflon sheet: Long-lasting, non-stick, ideal for re-pressing or precision work.
• Application pad: Best for heat-sensitive fabrics; requires a long press time.

All options help prevent transfer lifting and ensure clean, consistent results. The “best” one depends on your fabric, transfer and workflow preferences.

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

• Watch the press as it opens: Is the carrier lifting?
• Add a cover sheet: Cotton, baking paper or Teflon will help immediately.
• Adjust press times: A few seconds for parchment; ~20 seconds for app pads.
• Inspect edges: Lifted corners mean you need more dwell time before peeling or a cover sheet.
• Pressing sublimated garments? Always protect your platen.