Setup

The press should remain in the unclamped OPEN position when not in use. Do not leave the heater block closed on the table when not using, unless transporting. 

The top head should be swung over the pressing table when not in use. Do not leave the platen down on the silicone pad when heating. Always leave the heat platen in the UP position.

Turn off the heat press and unplug it when not in use.

General Guidelines

he following information covers some basic guidelines for pressing, as well as some generic parameters for basic heat transfer applications.

•  When pressing shirts, it is often recommended that the shirts be quickly pressed for 2 to 4 seconds before transferring to remove wrinkles and water content.
• When pressing two sides of a garment, pull the garment over the table so that the printed side drapes underneath the table. This will avoid reheating previously transferred designs on opposite sides of garments. It will also avoid any bleed-through of inks on lighter fabrics.
•  Avoid laying collars, cuffs, zippers, and other bulky parts of garments on the lower table, as these can adversely affect pressing conditions, and reduce the life of the silicone pad.
• When pressing rigid substrates (plastics, metals, woods, etc.), be sure that any protective films or laminates are removed before heating
• Always check that the transfer image is face down against the material, to avoid sealing the image against the heat platen instead of the substrate.
• When sublimating : Use a teflon sheet between the sublimation sheet and heat platen to protect the heat press. 
• When finishing a Direct to Garmet graphic, use butcher paper between the t-shirt and the heat platen to protect the heat press. 

Digital Knight Dk20S Digital Swinger, Geo Knight & Co, Inc. , http://www.heatpress.net/pdf/dk20sman.pdf.

Digital Knight Dk20S Digital Swinger, Geo Knight & Co, Inc. , http://www.heatpress.net/pdf/dk20sman.pdf.

Normal Operation Normal Operating Mode

The normal operating mode of the press will display the current actual Temperature at the top of the screen and the time setting or elapsed time below the temperature. The right side the screen will indicate the heating status by stating HEATING, READY, both of those words, or none at all, depending on if it is cooling down or heating up to the set temperature. READY is shown only if the current temperature is within 5 degrees of the set point temperature. The right side of the screen will also indicate the timing status by stating OPEN, TIMING or DONE. The DONE indicator may remain on in some cases until the press is opened back up. If the pressure feature is enabled, the pressure bar graph will show the last known pressure exerted when the press was closed.

Setting Temperature From the normal operating mode:

1. Press the TEMP key to set the temperature. The flashing 3-digit number is the temperature setting (not the actual current temp).

2. Use the Arrow Keys to set the desired temperature. Hold them down to increase rapidly, press both together to set it to 350°F.

3. Press TEMP again to lock in the setting.

Digital Knight Dk20S Digital Swinger, Geo Knight & Co, Inc. , http://www.heatpress.net/pdf/dk20sman.pdf.

Setting Time

From the normal operating mode

1. Use the Arrow Keys ONLY to set the time. Do not touch the PRG key.

2. Hold down either the Up or Down arrow key for more than 2 seconds and the time will increase rapidly. Press BOTH Arrow Keys and the time will reset to 00 seconds.

Digital Knight Dk20S Digital Swinger, Geo Knight & Co, Inc. , http://www.heatpress.net/pdf/dk20sman.pdf.

Setting the Pressure

Pressure is set manually using the large black Pressure Adjustment Knob. There is one important rule of thumb when setting pressure: The press MUST LOCK IN PLACE when lowering and clamping the press. Do not simply let the platen rest on the pad. A good solid two-handed locking force is recommended when first doing transfers to insure good results.

Listen for the Ka-Thunk

A “Ka-Thunk” click/clamp sound will result when locking the press in place.

To decrease the pressure

Turn the pressure knob to the left, counterclockwise. The top platen will rise away from the pressure table.

To increase the pressure

Turn the pressure knob to the right, clockwise. The top head will lower toward the pressing table. 

Reading the Digital Bar Graph

The Digital Pressure Bar Graph indicates a basic 0-9 scale of pressure exerted. The pressure bar graph resets when the press is closed/locked while timing. If the pressure adjustment has been changed, or a different thickness item has been placed in the press, the pressure bar graph will not change until the press is closed and locked and the timer is counting. This bar graph is directly related to the amount of pressure, or resistance, being felt and applied to the bottom table. If a thicker item is placed in the press, and no adjustments are made to the pressure knob, then the amount of pressure clamping down will be greater, and the bar graph will show a higher number.

Bar graph guidelines:

A very light pressure slight clamping would be in the 0 to 3 range. Takes one hand to clamp!

A good medium pressure for most applications would be 4 to 6.  Takes one and 1/2 hands to clamp!

Excessively high pressure for demanding items would be 7-9. Takes both hands to clamp!

Digital Knight Dk20S Digital Swinger, Geo Knight & Co, Inc. , http://www.heatpress.net/pdf/dk20sman.pdf.