Hello everyone. I'm glad I found this site. I have been playing with the idea of launching a T-shirt buiness for a few months now. I'm living in Tokyo and I have (what I think to be) some great ideas that could catch on around here.
I have read quite a few posts now, just since yesterday, but, I have been unable to decide what the best process would be for me. I am more familiar with silk-screening than I am with iron-transfer or anything that involves a computer. I am really open to any method, but, I am wondering which method (assuming it's performed properly) renders the best, most durable/long-lasting image on the shirt. I really don't have any idea, as you can see, so, if you could point me in the right direction that would be great.
Is heat transfer better than silk-screening or is another method better than these two. Sorry to pepper you with questions so soon, but, I really can't move on until I have some sort of primary goal/direction to more towards.
I'm not sure what style I like better as a finished product. I really don't. I am more concerned about the longevity of the image on the shirt.
So, putting the costs of the required tools in each method, which method do you think renders the best quality image?
Screenprinting (silkscreen is the old term - same thing) offers the best quality, and if you're printing in any kind of quantity also the best price.
The disadvantages are that if you want to do the printing yourself (not that that's necessary) it is not as easy, and that it is not cost effective for short runs (less than twenty for example).
Screenprinting is also more expensive (though certainly still do-able) if you are using multicolored designs, though again the cost goes down as the quantities go up. How many colors are you wanting to work with in your images? That might make it a bit easier to help you, though I would still suggest going with screenprinting as well.
With the right quantity, screenprinting can actually become MORE affordable than inkjet transfers, and definitely muh more durable.
Do a forum search on Plastisol transfers as well, and check out some of the websites recommended on here that produce the custom transfers. (This is the same process as screenprinting, and with the same inks, but applied to a transfer paper by the screenprinter, as opposed to the shirt itself. They then send the transfer sheets back to you for printing on the garment.) Most of them will have price sheets on the site that you should check out and decide if it sounds like it would be in your ballpark, costwise.
NODENPA, My new tee empire is about to be launched too, Im probably at the same stage as you and also feel great urgency and bewilderment with getting started.
There is a video on u-tube (not yoku), just type in ('HIPPOMARKETING'.) (Write that down m8 .
On the vid Cartez Ross shows how to heat press a tee in nine seconds, using heat transfer stickers and a 400 degree heatpress.
These heat tranfers can be made for you by a company ( which someone on this forum will hopefully post and tell us the best ones...Please guys , ...This company will by all accounts furnish us with transfers of whatever we send them , in a multitude of ways...ie e-mail , disk fax, pigeon etc..
Cartez talks of prices of 50 cents each, I live in uk and have been looking at a company calles heat-seal (.co.uk) but its early in my search..(Im sure you will have many in Tokyo)...They can also do artwork from a hand drawing!
I need to know if I can print my own transfers with pigment ink and press them straight to tee, that is my dream and I wonder if I can achieve the quality I need..
Sorry for massive post nodenpa hope it helps in some way..
Any suggestions would be appreciated by me and nodenpa....pls?
We are hungry and have tee's to burn!!
Last edited by Omega666; December 1st, 2007 at 02:39 AM.
Do you think theres a quality issue with pigment ink??
I mean, I suppose theres good and bad ink to use, but say for full colour and complex finery, could I achieve a sale-worthy quality?
I intend to use an epson 1200 (I think), purchase the inks and a press, along with the release paper.. However, I am really new to this so am relying on digesting a lot of info from this forum before I start.
I would be very grateful if you would post back with any info about how you would start from scratch, say in bullet point steps..and what brands you would consider starting with.. ( only when you have time)..
ImageClip laser paper is the closest you'll get to screenprinting in a digitally printed transfer. Durability may not be quite as good, but it's a real close second.
I have just been reading about ImageClip paper and it claims a better transfer with no polymer window, or toner spots around the image...This sounds very encouraging...
I know im a noob but if, as the manufacturer states, you cannot print black, would I simply leave the black areas blank to use the tee's own colour as the black in my design?? How do you print black?? Does anyone in fact know??
A major question I have though, is what is the best laser printer to use for image transfer ?? (reasonably priced as I am married)..
I have found the internet a little conflicting and unlimited in its responce to my questioning (and I sometimes feel its shouting at me)..
I have just been reading about ImageClip paper and it claims a better transfer with no polymer window, or toner spots around the image...This sounds very encouraging...
I know im a noob but if, as the manufacturer states, you cannot print black, would I simply leave the black areas blank to use the tee's own colour as the black in my design?? How do you print black?? Does anyone in fact know??
A major question I have though, is what is the best laser printer to use for image transfer ?? (reasonably priced as I am married)..
I have found the internet a little conflicting and unlimited in its responce to my questioning (and I sometimes feel its shouting at me)..
Thanks for any advice!!
No No No.... it says that you CANT print on black meaning you can print on all color shirts except black shirts... normally black and dark shirts are the hardest to print on because you need opaque inks or special papers.
I am now researching opaque inks and paper, thanks for that..
solmu, your message is clear with regards to starting from scratch, I can see how using a print firm to do my initial prints would be a good tester, and your approach would provide residual growth to a new business..
I do however feel the need to be totally independant. By using a computer to do my own designs, print them and press them..Well, with a turn around of about one minute, and no minimum order size, I would be in hogs heaven...
I guess I am looking for the method which will provide best quality within my prefered criteria..
I get the impression that laser and inkjet both have their pro's and cons with laser just ahead in the race..
In conclusion, I plan to search for the best laser printer (with a cool spool), use possibly duracotton paper, and some good quality toner and try and manipulate my colours in photoshop for best results...
Who said: If you want to make god laugh, tell him your plans???
Any further advice would be appreciated...Thx guys..
Thanks Solmu. I've seen a bunch of short videos on YouTube detailing the screenprinting process. I can appreciate it's complexity but, it seems that it would be the best in the long run. I am considering some kits from one of the links on this site (some company in Vancouver, Washington), for around a thousand bucks they'll send you everything you need except for a wash tank. I might look around a bit though before the impulse buy. Thanks again for the feedback.
Thanks Karlking, I will definately look into Plastisol transfers. I'm wondering if that's the same process as what I saw in a video where a guy printed an image onto a clear vinyl sheet using his computer printer and then burned it onto a t-shirt. Thanks for the post.
This is a discussion about First-timer: what method should I start with? that was posted in the General T-Shirt Selling Discussion section of the forums.
First-timer: what method should I start with? 
Hello everyone. I'm glad I found this site. I have been playing with the idea of launching a T-shirt buiness for a few months now. I'm living in Tokyo and I have (what I think to be) some great ideas that could catch on around here. 
Re: First-timer: what method should I start with? 
.
, ...This company will by all accounts furnish us with transfers of whatever we send them , in a multitude of ways...ie e-mail , disk fax, pigeon etc..
