Need to Register?

mzmadmax · February 16th, 2007

If you have t-shirt with a design that you pressed using plastisol transfers, and a potential customer asks what process you used, how do answer that?

Most won't have a clue what plastisol is. So do you say screen printing? Does it matter that it wasn't screen printed directly onto the garment?

I'm struggling for a simple but honest way of answering this question for a customer without having to launch into an industry detailed scientific explanation. Currently I answer by saying something like "This shirt was pressed using screen printing inks."

So far, I only have two samples using plastisol. But since I plan to place my first custom orders next week, I'm sure the question will be asked more. So any advice would be appreciated.

T-BOT · February 16th, 2007

You Know Maxine,

That has been a never ending (it seams) stigma with re-sellers/retailers etc. educating people what it is.

I personally think it is time well worth spending educating your clients what plastisol transfers are. I do it one customer at a time and I feel that I'm contributing to the Plastisol Makers Industry.

Comparing to 10 years ago, more and more people are aware of it today.

The best I find, is to have a few samples around in order to show/compare and let the product speak for it self.

...but that's just me and I'm sure others do it or feel different about this topic.

guest3300 · February 16th, 2007

i dont think you are too far off if you tell them it is screen printed.

T-BOT · February 16th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by binki


	i dont think you are too far off if you tell them it is screen printed.

...the problem with this picture is the "Transfer" word I think.

NathanAnderson · February 16th, 2007

It's an interesting question, one that I answer about 200 times a day at trade shows. I usually tell them that it is a pvc (plastic) based ink that is used in screenprinting and that plastisol transfers are simply carrier sheets that have been screen printed with the same type of plastisol inks. This is then transfered on you garment using a commercial heat press. This usually leads to one of two questions: Why not just screen print? or Whats the difference between that and digital?

Here is a list of advantages I give:
-It's versatile (Take the same image and use it on bags, shirts, shorts, hats, etc.)
-It's durable (It washes and can be made for more substrates that Digitial)
-Greater Opacity (The millage (thickness of your ink) achieved through printing first onto paper keeps the garment color from bleeding through)
-Do you want your graphic to be printed by a manufacture who is approved to print for large corporate accounts? (like some of the plastisol transfer mfgs in the US)
-You don't have to stock finished garments, just stock blanks and transfers and decorate as you need them. The cost of wasted inventory gets passed to the customer whether they like it or not, using transfers helps you keep that cost down.

There is certainly a perception battle to fight with transfers. How can transfer be good enough to be used by large apparel corporations and not for tommy's little league shirt? The difference between digital and plastisol is still not clear a large portion of people. The technology and methods of printing transfers have change dramatically since my father was printing his own in his fathers basement in the 70s. Some old timers who were burned back in the day by Farrah Fawcett & Daisy Duke falling off after a wash or two refuse to go anywhere but direct screen printing.

All that to say, keep educating your customers on what they are getting. If you put out a good product the truth won't hurt you.

Nathan Anderson
F&M Expressions
Numberalls

Mr.4ColorProcess · February 16th, 2007

Well, your transfers (if they come from a home printer) are not screen printed transfers. If they are screen printed transfers, and they use plastisol based inks, then you tell your customers that you use heat transferable designs. Plastisol is the kind of ink you use. There's also water-based inks, soy-based inks and pvc-free inks.

You've got direct screen printing and indirect (heat transfers) screen printing.

In all of my experiences, don't even mention it if you don't have to. If you have a hard time explaining it, don't you think they'll have a hard time understanding you?

Rodney · February 16th, 2007

Quote:


	Here is a list of advantages I give: -It's versatile (Take the same image and use it on bags, shirts, shorts, hats, etc.) -It's durable (It washes and can be made for more substrates that Digitial) -Greater Opacity (The millage (thickness of your ink) achieved through printing first onto paper keeps the garment color from bleeding through) -Do you want your graphic to be printed by a manufacture who is approved to print for large corporate accounts? (like some of the plastisol transfer mfgs in the US) -You don't have to stock finished garments, just stock blanks and transfers and decorate as you need them. The cost of wasted inventory gets passed to the customer whether they like it or not, using transfers helps you keep that cost down.

Thanks for the great breakdown, Nathan!

mzmadmax · February 16th, 2007

Yes, that's it! I just had a light-bulb moment!

Quote:

Originally Posted by NathanAnderson


	There is certainly a perception battle to fight with transfers.

This was hurdle number one.

I was reluctant to use the word "transfer" to describe it. Inversely, "Screen printed" has a greater perceived value in the average customer's mind than a "transfer". So naturally I wanted to find a way to let a potential customer know the benefits of this process that uses screen printing processes and screen printing inks.

I understood and could explain what plastisol transfers are and how they are made, but then, as Nathan stated....

Quote:

Originally Posted by NathanAnderson


	This usually leads to one of two questions: Why not just screen print? or Whats the difference between that and digital?

I would have no problem explaining the pros and cons of plastisol versus digital.

I now understand that it was the "why not just screen print?" question that was the other major stumpling block that I was jumping through hoops to avoid! I didn't know a good reason "why not" that would be truly acceptable to ME if I were the customer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NathanAnderson


	Here is a list of advantages I give: -It's versatile (Take the same image and use it on bags, shirts, shorts, hats, etc.) -It's durable (It washes and can be made for more substrates that Digitial) -Greater Opacity (The millage (thickness of your ink) achieved through printing first onto paper keeps the garment color from bleeding through) -Do you want your graphic to be printed by a manufacture who is approved to print for large corporate accounts? (like some of the plastisol transfer mfgs in the US) -You don't have to stock finished garments, just stock blanks and transfers and decorate as you need them. The cost of wasted inventory gets passed to the customer whether they like it or not, using transfers helps you keep that cost down.

Nathan, your list of advantages educated me. Now I can confidently offer this form of imprinting services and I can openly and honestly discuss both the processes AND the true benefits to my customers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NathanAnderson


	All that to say, keep educating your customers on what they are getting. If you put out a good product the truth won't hurt you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-BOT


	I personally think it is time well worth spending educating your clients what plastisol transfers are. I do it one customer at a time and I feel that I'm contributing to the Plastisol Makers Industry.

I agree. Education is the key...

... and thanks for educating me today.

Jasonda · February 16th, 2007

I think you could say "heat pressed using screen printing ink" or "heat pressed using screen printed paper".

hammered · February 16th, 2007

Ive opted to not explain about Plastisol. I just tell them I offer silk screened graphics. Im telling them the truth, just not offering all the details about the process. As long as the ends are the same, I see no reason to offer more information than needed.

COEDS · February 16th, 2007

When people think of transfer. They remember the old transfer that didn't old up. I never mention the word transfer.I tell them, I screenprint. This seems to make them happy. I had one customer that remarked how much better screenprinting looks rather than transfers.

monkeylantern · February 16th, 2007

Describing it in round-about, but truthful, terms is one thing.

Saying it's "screen-printed" is flat-out lying.

That's like a restaurant saying its pizzas are "oven-baked", when they reheat them in a microwave.

Mr.4ColorProcess · February 16th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkeylantern


	Describing it in round-about, but truthful, terms is one thing. Saying it's "screen-printed" is flat-out lying. That's like a restaurant saying its pizzas are "oven-baked", when they reheat them in a microwave.

I screen print my transfers. It's just that they're printed on release paper and not fabric. But it's screen printed.

T-BOT · February 16th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.4ColorProcess


	I screen print my transfers. It's just that they're printed on release paper and not fabric. But it's screen printed.

you're right, but how do you explain that to someone who Only Knows the term "Screen Printing" ?

....when the word Transfers is mix in there, you get this from some: "Don't Transfers Crack" ?

so that's what the thread is about.

I say show clients samples and let them decide. They do write the checks.

monkeylantern · February 16th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.4ColorProcess


	I screen print my transfers. It's just that they're printed on release paper and not fabric. But it's screen printed.

And the restaurant oven-bakes its pizzas. It just reheats them in a microwave before serving.

Need to Register?

Preferred Vendors
View Offers

Resources

T-Shirt Sites

Explaining Plastisol Transfers to Customers

Need to Register?

Preferred VendorsView Offers

Resources

T-Shirt Sites

Explaining Plastisol Transfers to Customers

Preferred Vendors
View Offers