Which T-shirts are best & which T-shirts for sublimation?
Hi,
which T-shirts are the best and cheapest ones for heatpressing vinyl onto in the UK? We're using Hot peel flex vinyl. We've seen lots of possible wholesalers that we are considering but wanted to know if anyone has any advice?
Also we will be using other clothing like baby grows, hoodies, etc. Which wholesalers are best and cheapest?
Also we will be sublimating onto clothing but can we do this onto normal T-shirts are do they need to have polyester in them? If so how much % polyester? Where's best to buy these from?
Sorry so many questions but wanna get as much advice as possible!
Francesca.
Re: Which T-shirts are best & which T-shirts for sublimation?
For sublimation you need a 50/50 polyester/cotton mixture (minimum) You can get shirts that are polyester on the outside and cotton on the inside.
Suppliers off the top of my head, Xpres, NovaChrome, Magic Touch, Transfer Press, SubliNation. There is a slight limitation with subli shirts in that there will always be a press mark where the press indents the polyester surface. This diminishes a little with washing but will always be there a little.
The print finish on a subli shirt is great and durability superb.
For applying vinyl you can use any material shirt, 100% cotton being favoured by most. I use Starworld or Continental generally, Starworld for sheer quality v affordability and Continental for sheer quality!
Jerzees, Gildan and Fruit of the Loom are often used and are usually very cheap.
Wholesalers you may or may not have heard of, UKLeisurewear, Ralawise, Starworld, BTC.
If you're anywhere near (or can get to) Birmingham at the start of March, you'd be well advised to visit the Printwear & Promotion show. You can meet many of the wholesalers and see what's new in sublimation.
Re: Which T-shirts are best & which T-shirts for sublimation?
Hi,
I use Gildan cotton t's mostly and Hanes Beefy, both from ralawise. polo-shirts.co.uk is also good. I use all xpres vinyls and flock, no probs and excellent quality. Targettransfers do one vinyl for all materials, i tried a sample and it's good but not as cheap as xpres. Ask for samples off everyone!!!
For sublimation you really need 100% polyester or the print will look washed out/faint as the ink only 'sticks' to the polyester content. Limited to white or light colours as the t-shirt colour changes the colour of the ink & design.
xpres do a shirt which is 100% polyester on the outside and 100% cotton on the inside, only in white. Vapourapparel are a good choice.
Lee
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trying to help, sometimes i don't!
Re: Which T-shirts are best & which T-shirts for sublimation?
Thanks, we've got some samples from xpres and they do seem good.
Does anyone know much about using Pigment ink on T-shirts instead of using sublimation ink and if it's any good?
Re: Which T-shirts are best & which T-shirts for sublimation?
To use pigment ink you need to print onto transfer paper, again get samples from xpres.
I use an epson printer with durabrite ink, then peel off backing and press. You can cut around an image but its time consuming unless you have a cutter with an optical eye which can contour cut around the image.
To print onto a t-shirt you would need a DTG, direct to garment printer.
Lee
__________________
trying to help, sometimes i don't!
Re: Which T-shirts are best & which T-shirts for sublimation?
Quote:
Originally Posted by francesca
Hi,
which T-shirts are the best and cheapest ones for heatpressing vinyl onto in the UK? We're using Hot peel flex vinyl. We've seen lots of possible wholesalers that we are considering but wanted to know if anyone has any advice?
Also we will be using other clothing like baby grows, hoodies, etc. Which wholesalers are best and cheapest?
Also we will be sublimating onto clothing but can we do this onto normal T-shirts are do they need to have polyester in them? If so how much % polyester? Where's best to buy these from?
Sorry so many questions but wanna get as much advice as possible!
Francesca.
proper sublimation printing will only work on 100% polyester surface on the outside (FOR THE BEST RESULT). Inside which contacts the skin is usually 100% cotton for comfort
Re: Which T-shirts are best & which T-shirts for sublimation?
I have got a sublimation t-shirt from expres and to be honest it is a well built t-shirt very thick and good quality. Only thing is once i used subdye on it. It has come out looking faded just like the 50/50 t-shirts. I dont think they do a 100% polyester t-shirt as the 1 i got is 37% cotton and 63% polyester. If only the t-shirts where made like the face of my mousemats what i sublimate onto i would be well happy.
Re: Which T-shirts are best & which T-shirts for sublimation?
I prefer the one ethicstar provides since they are cheap and cheerful and their approach of making the sublimation t shirts is also along that lines so the outer surface is 100% polyester hence getting that nice finish when printed. You can check their explanation on their site Sublimation t shirts £1.80 using sublimation printing t shirts
I found their price to be the cheapest in the market
Re: Which T-shirts are best & which T-shirts for sublimation?
I'm American. Which site has the best quality T's for heat pressing? I don't want my customers to feel like they're wearing undershirts. They need to be heavy, hang a little bit below the waist, and the sleeves need to come as close to the elbow as possible while still being loose (as in not a 3 quarters type shirt). Which site has all of the above but still a decent price (2.50$ per shirt would be the most I'd like to spend)?
Re: Which T-shirts are best & which T-shirts for sublimation?
I have been doing sublimation on t-shirts for about 2 years now. I started using Hanes SoftLink shirts which are 100% polyester outside, 100% cotton inside. Unfortunately they are discontinued and are very hard to find in all the sizes. They are my favorite shirt because of thickness and quality.
Since then I have switched over to Vapor Apparel. Sublimation Friendly, Performance Apparel Blanks by Vapor Apparel for sublimation. They look and feel great just like a regular t-shirt. My only dislike is that I think they are a tad bit thin or see-through on men's basic tees.
I don't recommend anything less than 100% polyester. I've tried many variations and unless you want a faded look....I recommend only 100%. Any blends will fade after a couple washes if not the first.
Which T-shirts are best & which T-shirts for sublimation? 
