Below are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the Gripper Kits. If you don’t find the answer to any question you might have, please feel free to use the contact form below to ask a question.
Question: Should I use the Gripper channels on all types of garments including t-shirts?
Answer: The gripper channels are really designed for printing on to thicker items (i.e. hoodie sweat shirts, tote bags) and printing in specific parts of a garment (i.e. long sleeve prints) that would typically require a specailty platen or the use of clips / bands / tape to hold the garment in place. The gripper channels are not required printing on t-shirts. Some GT users have found it helpful to use double-side platen tape or a waterbased adhesive when printing large size prints on dark garments to prevent the white ink from spreading the garment fibers out. The Gripper channels will help preventing the fabric from shifting or spreading out as well.
Question: How does the Gripper Kit mount to the existing GT Adult Platen?
Answer: We decided to use industrial strength 3M VBH foam adhesive tape to mount the Gripper channels to the bottom of the Adult Platen. This way, it does not require GT users to purchase a new acrylic top, take apart the Adult Platen or try to drill holes in it to mount the Gripper channels. It should take less than 3 minutes to mount the Gripper Kit to the Adult Platen. Below are links to videos on how to install the Gripper Kit on the GT Adult Platens:
Installing Gripper Kit on Adult GT-541 / GT-782 Platen
Installing Gripper Kit on Adult GT-3 Platen
Question: Can I still adjust the height of the platen using the Platen Height Adjustment Lever?
Answer: Yes, the Gripper Kit does nothing to alter the GT Printer and there is plenty of room to move the Platen Height Adjustment Lever. The Gripper Kit does require the user to bend down more to see what setting the platen is on.
Question: Does anything need to be done to the Grippers to allow for thicker items (i.e. Zipper Hoodies) to be used?
Answer: The gripper channels have two screws that allow for the gap between the two pieces of rubber to be adjusted for thicker items. Simple use a screw driver to increase or decrease the gap as needed. Click here for a video showing how to adjust the gap on the gripper channels.
Question: Does the Gripper channels add additional weight to GT platen that could cause damage to the printer over time?
Answer: The weight of the Adult Platen with the Gripper Kit fully assembled weighs less than Oversized Platen that is offered on the GT-782 printer. Since the same or similar components are used on the other GT printers, there should be no issue with using the Gripper Kit.
Question: Can the Gripper Kit be used instead of double-sided platen tape or waterbased adhesive to prevent the garment from shifting when printing large designs on the GT-782 printer?
Answer: Yes, the Gripper Kit can be used as a substitute for both products mentioned above because the gripper channels will hold the garment in place. It will also help prevent head strikes if you prefer to print closer to the dark garments.
Learn more about Gripper Kits.
Earlier this’d year, I stopped by a GT-541 owner’s shop in downtown New York City. The owner mentioned how much she has been printing on to pieces of fabric using her GT-541 printer. Being so close to to the fabric district, I can understand how she has this business. Then recently, I had a conversation…
Purchase a Gripper Kit today!
View the Gripper Kit Media Gallery.
