Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
What would be a good transfer paper for nice colors on black t-shirts?
Will any inkjet opaque transfer paper work, or are some better than others?
The color is dependent on your software/printer/ink setup.
Most of the debate I've seen is on the light paper. I have three different brands of dark paper, I haven't seen much difference between them, but 95% of the transfers I do is with light paper.
It seems like everyone recommends plastisol transfers. Is it considered unprofessional to sell shirts made with regular transfer paper? I'm using durabrite inks and a good heatpress, but how long will a regular transfer stay on?
Personally I think that you can make a professional product with transfer paper, but only with normal, light transfers -- NOT opaque transfers.
I admit that light transfers won't have the same quality as a good screenprint/plastisol/etc., but the quality is still decent, and will last a long time. It wouldn't be appropriate for high end fashion t-shirts, but for regular Joe Schmoe t-shirt buyer I don't think the difference matters much.
Opaque transfers, on the other hand, I don't use at all =) They have their niche, but the quality of those that I've seen was too poor for me to creally consider using them.
Personally I think that you can make a professional product with transfer paper, but only with normal, light transfers -- NOT opaque transfers.
I recently got some Opaque Transfer paper from Coastal but haven't tried it yet. I'm just curious why opaque transfers are considered inferior when compared to inkjet transfers for light shirts? (like Jetflex / Ironall)
Is the feel the only difference between light and dark transfers?
How about durability?
In my experience the quality/durability is definitely worse as well, though to be fair I haven't tried all of the popular opaques available; some may be better than others. From what I've seen and heard, though, in addition to feeling like plastic, they are more likely to crack or peel from the shirt (and can have problems after only a few washes). Finally, you have to trim an image exactly to get rid of all the whitespace -- which limits your design possibilties.
I guess I'm in that same situtation, I'm actually using an epson inkjet to print on my dark colored t shirts. However I am actually looking for a good transfer paper that I can use on dark shirts. I'm in a bind because I don't know of any transfer company that provides transfer paper where you don't see the white space around the image. I've used epson transfer paper and the transfer came out plastic like, you can't stretch it too much and it is crunchy ( I hope thats understandable ) I'm expecting some samples from a few vendors but I'm a bit anxious and want to know from first hand experience on what your preferences are. I'm starting my business and I want to have a good start or at least have an idea. I GREATLY appreciate all responses.
Have a great one!!!!
In my experience with the opaque transfers, they all are that way, some are less crunchy than others, but not too much difference.
All the ones I have tried (& I have tried many brands) have that plastic feel & don't stretch too well.
I think that's why most people here have a less than positive view of them.
Black Tees 
