so I am going to try to see if I can have the same t-shirt display set up using those removable, adhesive hooks that I can just stick to the wall of the venue.
Make sure you ask the event manager about that first. They usually have pretty strict rules about what you can put on the walls (even tape).
Seeing as how you take your shop on the road, too...do you have any recommendations as to which heat press works well with travelling (i.e. weight, durability, high volume use, quality output).
Also, how do you set up your work station at a location. Do you use a special rolling cart for the press? Is there a practical and efficient way to organize and store all the transfers and shirts for easy access?
Does anyone have any good ideas of how to heat press shirts in an open field (i.e. baseball field, football field, soccer field)? Do I just need to have a generator?
Prep work is the key here. I'm gearing up for my first event this weekend. I've spent the past week getting ready. I wish I had another press so I could get more done!
The auto open is worth the money IMO. I can walk away from the press and not worry about running back to open it. I can be cutting transfers, folding shirts, whatever in the meantime.
With my process, I can only realistically print 15 shirts an hour (I have to press each shirt 5 times) so that severely limits the number of shirts I can press on-site. You will be busy selling and probably will have less time than you think. I would reconsider giving people options about font, back , sleeves. Stick to one.
You will spend the bulk of your time desiging the graphics and getting them print ready if you aren't going with pre-printed transfers.
You also may want to look into getting a common design printed by a screener and adding custom stuff on-site to lower you workload.
Seeing as how you take your shop on the road, too...do you have any recommendations as to which heat press works well with travelling (i.e. weight, durability, high volume use, quality output).
Also, how do you set up your work station at a location. Do you use a special rolling cart for the press? Is there a practical and efficient way to organize and store all the transfers and shirts for easy access?
Thanks,
NS
I have a 15x15 mighty press from Josh at Imprintables Warehouse. The press comes mounted on a large piece of plywood for shipping purposes. I have 5 folding tables at events and the press goes on the right side of one with the left side open for shirt manipulation with the vinyl. The press is heavy but is portable. The auto open press is ok but dont think for a minute you are going to be folding a shirt or selling anything during a 10 second hot-peel transfer press. As soon as that press opens you need to peel the transfer.
You are going to want a pop-up canopy eventually...probably sooner than later. It will keep the sun off you, the rain sort of off you, allow you to hang signage and shirt display and give you a footprint at the event people can actually see.
I really cant emphasize enough the visability factor...you wont sell anything if folks cant find you.
If you dont have access to electric you are going to need a generator. I need a generator as well just so I am not relying on booth placement due to limited electrical availability. The better more expensive units have peak/valley regulators and you should buy or rent one with as much juice as you can afford. Also dont forget to bring fuel for that thing.
I like the way you hung the shirts. Is that a single piece of wood per row or do you bolt 2 together for transportation?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MotoskinGraphix
The auto open press is ok but dont think for a minute you are going to be folding a shirt or selling anything during a 10 second hot-peel transfer press. As soon as that press opens you need to peel the transfer.
True, but if you're doing 15-20s presses or cold peels like me it's handy. Although most of the time I like it, I do find that sometimes if I'm using heavy pressure the initial bump and quick rise will tend to lift the paper off the shirt. If I'm doing a small applique I have to always remember to cover with a big sheet of transfer paper or it will get messed up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MotoskinGraphix
You are going to want a pop-up canopy eventually...probably sooner than later.
EZ-UP is having a 10% off sale at their outlet in Santa Fe Springs (right off the 5 near the 91 in SoCal). The ad will be in tomorrow's LA Times. I was there earlier in the week to parts for my old canopy and ended up getting an Express II (same model as in the picture I think) 10x10 for $200.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MotoskinGraphix
If you dont have access to electric you are going to need a generator. I need a generator as well just so I am not relying on booth placement due to limited electrical availability. The better more expensive units have peak/valley regulators and you should buy or rent one with as much juice as you can afford. Also dont forget to bring fuel for that thing.
I like the way you hung the shirts. Is that a single piece of wood per row or do you bolt 2 together for transportation?
True, but if you're doing 15-20s presses or cold peels like me it's handy. Although most of the time I like it, I do find that sometimes if I'm using heavy pressure the initial bump and quick rise will tend to lift the paper off the shirt. If I'm doing a small applique I have to always remember to cover with a big sheet of transfer paper or it will get messed up.
EZ-UP is having a 10% off sale at their outlet in Santa Fe Springs (right off the 5 near the 91 in SoCal). The ad will be in tomorrow's LA Times. I was there earlier in the week to parts for my old canopy and ended up getting an Express II (same model as in the picture I think) 10x10 for $200.
About how much does a decent generator cost?
I dont own a gererator yet and havent really shopped. I have used them at events supplied by others and have run into problems keeping the press at temp with slow recovery times. If you are running a pc, plotter and a press you are going to need something that incorporates some sort of protection circuit or regulator. You could also just get a unit with enormous power potential. I think both are rather expensive.
Sams club sell EZ_ups with the four side walls and banner shade for around $200. The same unit is very expensive through ez-up online.
I think the auto open is perfect for vinyl and cold peel transfers.
The rails are all individual...I have ten but will probably make another 5 for different setups. The rails are made of pine and very light weight.
I usually rent a 4x8 trailer from U-Haul at $9.95 per day. The 5x8 jumps up to $19.00 bucks...one foot taller...go figure that one.
Looks like my July gig is going to be out on a baseball field. Just wondering if I need to take into consideration any complications I may have with hot weather as it relates to the heat press. Does it change what temp I select or how long I leave the press down, or any need to prepress?
Looks like my July gig is going to be out on a baseball field. Just wondering if I need to take into consideration any complications I may have with hot weather as it relates to the heat press. Does it change what temp I select or how long I leave the press down, or any need to prepress?
I don't know about the heat, but if it's humid it will affect the shirts. You might need a longer pre-press to get all the moisture out.
Do you recommend the digital or is the non-digital sufficient? There is a $200 difference, so I'm just wondering if digital is worth $200.
Thanks,
NS
My press isnt digital. The press has a analog temp guage and a dial on the top platon numbered 1-10. You will figure out very fast for plastisol transfers where to dial in that knob for your desired temp. I adjust between 400 and 350 and thats about it. If you had an extra $200 bucks you might step up to the 16x20 but its going to be much larger and heavier. I think you really dont need to spend the cash if you are content with the size.
Re: Youth Sports Tournament Souvenier T-shirts 
