Because I am so new I have to ask a simple question,
what is the type of printing that looks a little raised and has a matte finish?
Are Vynal cutters flat and shinny?
I'm looking for raised lettering with a matte finish for my t-shirts. what do I ask for?
thanks
Could be screen printing with an puff additive or maybe a high density screen print. Could be a certain type of vinyl. Hard to say without seeing it.
If using screen-printing, puff ink is what you are looking for. There are also some transfer mfgs that can print puff ink on transfers, but I tried those in the past, and did not have much luck in getting all of the puff ink to release properly off the transfer paper, and you need a really good heat press.
I'm not sure how well puff ink would even be able to puff, while under the pressure of a heat press. I'd think at the very least you would want some sort of pad which could compress to make room for the puff.
fred
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A day late, a dollar short, so it goes.
The puff ink expands once the heat press is released, but you need a really good heat press and temperature set just right. If too low, the ink does not or barely expands; too high, and it expands & cracks. Now, my experience was 5 years ago, so perhaps performance has improved.
Thanks for answering.
Another question....
Will any of the fulfillment centers do this kind of work?
Are you able to specify what kind of printing you want done?
I'm thinking for lettering only and one shirt only..... which I have learned is hard to do with screen printing.
Thanks
Fulfillment providers will do just about any type of work, but their minimums are pretty high. I would suggest using a heat transfer. I would try stahls.com; they are a well established company that can produce single customer transfers. Also, if you could find someone w/ a vinyl cutter, they could get vinyl that's can be cut w/ any type of customer lettering, and you just apply w/ a heat press. Or you could invest in the vinyl cutter itself. Stalhs.com has all of this.
There is another thread that says there is a new puff type transfer material, might want to try that. Here is a link for the thread that talks about it. Imprintables warehouse new vintage puff?? , hope this helps
Well, I'm excited...largely based on info gleaned from this forum I have just purchased a T-Jet Blazer Express, and look for delivery in a few weeks (I hope!) I also purchased the installation plan and expect to get some good training and info from the technician who is sent.
I'm also getting the message loud and clear that this machine is NOT a "just push print" printer...I expect to do regular and disciplined routine maintenance and cleaning. I'll keep researching the forums for more info and tips/techniques, and will pass along my experiences as they occur.
Well, I looked at Kiosk and Brother primarily, besides USSPI. (Couldn't justify Kornit or any of the high-end high-production units). I decided against the Brother primarily because of the lack of white ink so far...my business is in a resort area and people buy a LOT of dark, black and bright colored tees that call for white ink. Therefore I needed the white capability. I spoke to folks from the Kiosk and USSPI, and liked what I heard from USSPI re service, warranty and support.
Having said that, I've read with some misgivings the posts regarding problems with USSPI. I believe, after doing my own research, that most of those problems dealt with the earlier generation T-Jet 2 and 3, and that hopefully now that the Blazer is being manufactured in-house the QC issues are being addressed and controlled.
From some of the posts I understand that these machines can be true workhorses if one is disciplined and dedicated to setting them up properly and doing the required routine maintenance. You can't just put it in the corner and expect it to work every couple of weeks for a one-off.
Even though it will be a few weeks before I get my machine, USSPI has sent me the software and documentation so I can begin to learn the system and graphics program (I've used AI and PS -- CS2 for some time, but I'm completely unfamiliar with RIP software). Hopefully I will not have to go stand in the corner for "stupid study" too often when the installation tech shows up at the door! ;->
All said, I still think there's a lot of black magic involved in getting a good DTG product out the door. So (deep breath!) I HOPE I've made the right purchase, and I HOPE I can get on top of the learning curve, and I HOPE I can make this machine a valuable adjunct to my embroidery shop. Will keep you posted!
Screen printing is only inexpensive if you have a reasonable quantity - very small orders are not practical. This means you cannot accomodate the late request to add just one more.
Plastisol transfer are more expensive than screen printing at the same quantity, BUT you can order a few extra transfers as "insurance". you never have to short an order and you can accomodate the one or two adds to the group a month later. This is worth something to some customers.
Inkjet transfers and DTG allow true one of a kind customization. This can allow production of some high margin products.
A vinyl cutter is the work horse of the group business. If you plan to do jersey names and numbers, you can't beat the price or turn around time of cutting vinyl in-house.
I usually use screen printing for my shirts. Heat transfer is a quick method if you have the specialized paper for it, but the quality of the design can come out bad, not to mention the risk of the design getting peeled off over time (depending on the quality of the heat transfer paper).
Just do plastisol heat transfers. Looks good, feels good and requires less time (if you don't count the time it takes for someone to make the transfers for you). If you are going to do screen printing dont do what I did and buy garbage equipment!
This is a discussion about Pros and Cons of Each T-Shirt Printing Method that was posted in the General T-Shirt Selling Discussion section of the forums.
Re: Pros and Cons of Each T-Shirt Printing Method 
