i just spent the last hour or so reading the featured forums, and they helped, alot!
btw, sorry for the long post, but please bare with me.
What i want to do
for now is to start small, and if everything works out, grow bigger, and start reaching a bigger audience.
for now , i just want to be able to heat press simple black-on-white and white-on-black on regular t-shirts....if that works out and i can sell my t-shirts, then i plan on expanding to hoodies, hats, ladies..etc..etc
from what i've read, i need:
heat press
vinyl cutter
drawing software, illustrator?
it sounds simple, print it with the vinyl cutter, weed out the excess, and press it using the heat press. right?
i came up on the name "Roland GX-24" in ALOT of the threads, i assume thats like the top of the line cutter? roughly $1,600 tho! same with the heat presses discussed here. they're expensive.
i found cheaper ones on ebay and the ppl that bought them left good feedback, for example...
all the ones i found say they are for "signs", what does that mean?
do they all do the same thing where they just cut the color part of the vinyl and leave the clear part so you can weed it out and press it? or do they actually cut the entire vinyl?
lets say i come up with some text, for example "METALLICA RULES" , and lets say someone else made that t-shirt 5 months ago, can they sue me?
i have a thousand questions but don't want to bombard you guys with it, i just wanna get the main ones outta the way, so i don't spend/waste any money.
I would highly suggest working for a while in the field, before investing time, money, effort, etc in setting up your own operation. Get a job at another shop, learn your way around the systems, learn how much work is really involved, learn how hard it can be to make a living, and then decide on your options. Jumping in head first without looking is a costly mistake made by many business startups.
Last edited by wiscot; March 31st, 2008 at 05:23 AM.
As far as the copyright thing goes, I think Metallica would sue you first. I would stay away from selling shirts with band names or other fan types shirts like your favorite sports team or something unless you just make them for your friends.
The best way is to start small, you can always start with someone else printing the shirts for you to begin with, and if it goes well buy your own equipment. This guy right here has no minimum and uses direct to garment printing so its soft feeling (great prices too). Check it out shirtprinting.com .
As far as the copyright thing goes, I think Metallica would sue you first. I would stay away from selling shirts with band names or other fan types shirts like your favorite sports team or something unless you just make them for your friends.
lol
really, could metallica sue me for that? ...that was just an example anyway, i don't plan on using band names on any my shirts, just funny text, but it still sorta shocks me that they can sue me for saying they rule, but i guess i would be making money off THEIR name.
thx for the heads up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wiscot
I would highly suggest working for a while in the field, before investing time, money, effort, etc in setting up your own operation. Get a job at another shop, learn your way around the systems, learn how much work is really involved, learn how hard it can be to make a living, and then decide on your options. Jumping in head first without looking is a costly mistake made by many business startups.
tho it sounds like a good idea, i don't have time for that.
i have a little bit of money that i can play with. my motto is "no risk, no reward", so what i'm trying to do at this point, is to gather as much info as i can so i buy the right equipment, so IF my business does grow, i don't quickly outgrow the equipment and waste any money there.
I bought the gear about a month ago, and started with knowing nothing. I have learnt a lot, and I certainally dont regret my move.
At worst, if it doesnt work out, you can sell the gear and recoop most your costs! But itl work out, and you have good fun doing it, this forum will make it sooo much easier for ya.
I bought a cheap cutter and press, and good software (corel draw x4) and they work fine together.
I bought the gear about a month ago, and started with knowing nothing. I have learnt a lot, and I certainally dont regret my move.
At worst, if it doesnt work out, you can sell the gear and recoop most your costs! But itl work out, and you have good fun doing it, this forum will make it sooo much easier for ya.
I bought a cheap cutter and press, and good software (corel draw x4) and they work fine together.
sweet, thx for the confidence.
i've decied i'm gonna invest in the roland gx-24, i've decided where i'm gonna get my t-shirts, now, i juss need help on choosing the right heat press.
need something that will do both white and black tshirts and thick sweatshirts...anyone?
thats the one i'm looking at now. free shipping, not cheap but not the most expensive, says it can do thick items so you should be able to press almost anything that is flat.
If you are going to buy a top notch vinyl cutter you should do the same with the press and thats not to say that there are some great inexpensive presses out there, you just have to watch the brand you buy.
which includes a grip of of alot of cool stuff, but a bit procey, $3,200. i'm guessing thats the top notch heat press since they're selling with the GX-24?
what do you guys think of that deal/package?
...to me it seems like its a reputable company, (i've seen their name on here alot), good support, warranty...etc..etc
Quote:
Originally Posted by plan b
If you are going to buy a top notch vinyl cutter you should do the same with the press and thats not to say that there are some great inexpensive presses out there, you just have to watch the brand you buy.
yes! that's exactly what i'm trying to find out
what's the cadillac of the heat presses?
Quote:
Originally Posted by wormil
Make sure you learn the difference between copyright and trademark. Knowing that will clear up a lot of confusion.
juss looked up the definitions and it definitely cleared things up, thx alot.
i still don't 100% understand the difference, but basically i think copyright is only for a product, and trademark is for like a slogan or a legal entity...right?
starting t-shirt business 
same with the heat presses discussed here. they're expensive.
, so what i'm trying to do at this point, is to gather as much info as i can so i buy the right equipment, so IF my business does grow, i don't quickly outgrow the equipment and waste any money there.
