How To Set Up and Use the Captain Platen Kit Supreme

What if we told you a kit exists for Direct to Garment printing that allows you to print on a hat efficiently, functionally, and with ease-- one Kit to rule them all! Well, it does! And it goes by the name of the Captain Platen Kit Supreme.

The older sibling of our Captain Platen Kit Classic, this kit contains:

• Setup Station
• Captain Platen
• DTG Master Adaptor
• Underbill Platen
• Side Panel Platen + Tucker
• C-Clamp

Click here to view the full product page!

Setting up the Setup Station

The Setup Station is used to load the Face Mask Platen with the apparel before placing the platen on the printer. You do not have to use it every time you load the platen, however, depending on the apparel you are printing. But, most apparel types will be most successful when loading on the Setup Station first. It makes the process quick, efficient, and effective.

1. Place the Setup Station on a flat, stable tabletop
2. Use the C-clamp to secure the Setup Station to the tabletop's surface 
3. Place the Face Mask Platen on the Setup Station by matching up the pegs on the back of the platen with the slots on the surface of the Setup Station
4. The Setup Station is ready to use!

Setting Up the Master Adaptor

The Master Adaptor is how you turn your DTG printer into a high production machine! The Master Adaptor comes in each of our DTG Kits, and has the ability to take all our specialized platens, as each one is transportable. To install the Master Adaptor:

1. Remove your DTG printer's t-shirt platen and base
2. Replace it with the Master Adaptor in the same spot
3. Adjust the platen height as necessary
   KEY TIP: We suggest always doing a height check before using the platen for the first time, and with each new apparel type to be printed on, to ensure the highest quality prints possible. We have found that on the Epson F2100, the Captain Platen typically rests at a 2 for the platen height.

Printing the Front Panel of the Hat

• Loading the Hat on to the Captain Platen

  1. Place the Captain Platen on the Setup Station (included in the Kit) with the Crescent Top Plate closest to you, and lock it in place by pushing in the two knobs on either side of the platen. Ensure the locking bar is pushed away from you.
  2. Slide the hat's bill under the front bar and pull the hat back over top of the Crescent Top Plate, tuck any sweatbands and tags underneath the Top Plate.
  3. Straighten out the hat bill to align with the sides of the platen and push the front edge of the bill back until it is aligned with the top of the platen.
  4. Pull the front panel of the hat as flat as possible and engage the locking bar by pulling it backwards (toward you) and sliding it into place. The front panel should feel secure and lay flat.
  5. Unlock the Captain's side handles and remove it from the Setup Station by pulling the platen's two side knobs outward and place it on the Master Adaptor on your DTG printer with the Crescent Top Plate closest to you. Lock it in place by pushing in those same side knobs.
     KEY TIP: Always do a platen height check prior to printing whenever you switch to a new platen. The Captain Platen will usually be set at 2 on the Epson F2100, but always check to ensure the highest quality print possible.
  6. Open your artwork in Garment Creator (Epson) or Graphics Lab (Brother) and set according to desired print settings.
  7. Send artwork to the printer and print.
     1. To print an artwork that goes from the top of the front panel all the way to the brim, the entire process of loading and printing remains the same.
  8. After printing, remove the Captain Platen from the Master Adaptor by unlocking the side knobs and replace it back on to the Setup Station.
  9. Push the front bar forward until the hat's bill is no longer obstructed and disengage the locking bar by pulling it toward you and pushing it up and over the hat.
  10. Pull the hat's sweatbands out from under the Crescent Top Plate and remove the hat from the platen.
      KEY TIP: The platen's Top Plate may leave creases or indentations around the printed area. The WILL come out during the first wash. However, if you need to remove it sooner, i.e. for a sample, wet a paper towel with water and gently press the paper towel into the creases. They will fall out naturally.
  11. To cure the print, you can let it rest under the hot plate of your heat press (do not press the hat, just hover it over the hat), or let it air dry for at least 24 hours before wearing to ensure the print dries down completely.

Printing the Underbill of the Hat

• Loading the Hat on the Underbill Platen
  1. Place the Underbill Platen on the Setup Station with the platen's notches closest to you and push the wire frame away from you.
  2. Slide the hat with the underbill facing up into the notches on either side of the platen, ensure the side edges of the underbill are aligned with the sides of the platen.
  3. Loosely tuck the body of the hat (the part hanging off the platen) into itself and engage the wire frame by pulling it toward you to rest inside the hat and hold it in place.
  4. Remove the Underbill Platen from the Setup Station and place it on the Master Adaptor with the platen's notches closest to you.
  5. Set up your artwork and print settings in your DTG printer's included software and print. 
  6. After printing, remove the Underbill platen from the Master Adaptor and replace on to the Setup Station.
  7. Disengage the wire frame by pushing it away from you and pull the hat brim out from the notches.
  8. Cure the hat by laying it under the hot plate of your heat press and hovering the hot plate over the print. Ensure the underbill is facing up.

Printing the Side of the Hat

• Loading the Side Panel Platen + Tucker
  1. Place the Side Panel Platen on the Setup Station with the Top Plate closest to you.
  2. With the hat upside down and the bill pointing to either the left or right, tuck the hat's sweatbands around and under the top of the Top Plate and align the seam that connects the side panels with the ditch on the Top Plate.
  3. Pull the tucked hat panel to be as flat as possible and use your Tucker to tuck the rest of the hat under the bottom edge of the Top Plate. You may either leave the Tucker in Place for extra hold, or remove it once you get a tight, flat surface on the side panels.
  4. Remove the Side Panel Platen from the Setup Station and place it on to the Master Adaptor with the Top Plate closest to you.
  5. Set up your artwork and print settings in your DTG printer's included software and print. 
  6. After printing, remove the Side Panel Platen from the Master Adaptor and replace it on the Setup Station.
  7. Remove the Tucker and gently pull the hat from the Top Plate.
  8. Cure the hat by laying it under the hot plate of your heat press and hovering the hot plate over the print.

And that's all, folks! Now you know how to print on all sides of an unconstructed hat easily and effectively-- no special rigs needed!

Still getting the hang of things? Try this project! Interested in a Production-Friendly version of the Captain Platen Kit? Check Out the Captain Platen Kit Production!

Want to See More of These Products in Action? Schedule a Demo Session with Us!

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