Well, after much research into both I thought I was sold on Heat Pressing but now I'm unsure.
Some may know this already but I'm starting my own brand and looking to print 5 designs each at 50 pieces per design. Here is my dilemma:
My original budget was 2,000. If I was to go with Heat Pressing, I have estimated my costs (including heat press, designs, blanks etc.) between 2400-2700. If I was to screen print the same amount my costs would be just shy of 2,000.
With the Heat Pressing route I would buy a 16x20 Mighty and custom order plastisol transfers from both F&M and Ace. My blank t's would be on FOTL Heavy 100% cotton.
Main reasons I wanted to Heat Press
-Inventory is much more manageable because you print on demand which is crucial if the design does not sell whereas with screen printing you have to sell everything which is pre-printed
-I can print the same designs on other apparel such as sweatshirts etc.
-The heat press can be used for side work for other projects
-Save more $ in the long run once the press is initially paid for
Main reasons I wanted to Screenprint them
-Upfront I found it to be cheaper and thus would allow me to make more profit
-Since my designs are large prints I could have the exact dimensions I'm looking for (15x20) as opposed to the 13x18 I'd have to go with Heat Pressing since my minimums are quite low and the cost for 13x18 transfers are what I can afford.
-I could spend more time marketing rather than having to worry about the many start up variables and horror stories I've heard come up from people just starting out with HP (one of the most recent which comes to mind is user 237 am's HP dilemma)
Ultimately, the two things that have me torn me are cost and ease of startup.
If I Heat Press I spend more and make less initially, better manage my inventory and save in the long run. If I sell the designs as planned I'm left with about $500 in overall profit and a paid for press. I run the startup risks which could result in wasted inventory on errors etc.
If I screenprint, i spend all of my time marketing and hustling to sell all of the designs and build my brand. If all goes as planned and I sell the designs I have more money to play around with for the next set of designs. I also understand that things can go wrong the screen printed route which is why I've been researching reputable printers.
I have a good feeling about my company as my market is very niche and the designs are very bold but being unemployed at the moment has got me very conscientious about what I'm spending. I am very interested in Heat Pressing and if i did go the Screen printing route I could always keep my eyes out for a used mighty press and start it out later
)
What do you think?
My Great Dilemma (to Screenprint or Heat Press) in which I could definetely use some advice 
