Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Hi! I'm a new comer here...and very new to t-shirt printing industry. But, I do have a plan in hand. My plan is to start a personalized t-shirt business, where they could have their name on the t-shirt or any personalized info. I know there's a lot in the US (from the website I found), but so far none in my country (I'm in the Asian region). So, I believe it's a good opportunity to proceed with my plan, but first things first, I need to know the best technique to do this.
Errr...what type of printing method for me to start this business? I know silk-screen will be costly, so what's next best - heat transfer or dye sublimation? Oh by the way, what's the difference between those two? Oh! I did tell you I'm very blur when it comes to printing
Part of my plan is to be print personalized info onto coloured fabrics (not just white), and I'd want to concentrate on baby and children wear only for a start (since I'm into selling children's product).
I know my question are very general, but I hope experts out there could help me step by step and from there I guess I'd have lots more questions to ask. Perhaps you could also point me to the link should this topic has been discussed before.
A warm welcome to you, Eliza. Are you from Manila? Doing transfers with a heat press is very ideal for personalized printing. You just have to educate your clients on the limitations of transfer printing. Check out this pdf file from Hix Corp for basic info.
Just like I mentioned earlier, I'll come back with lots of questions now that I know the basic procedure. I know a lot have been asked in another thread, but I want to post all my questions in just one thread. Hope that's fine.
So here goes. To start with, I only have a notebook and an ink-jet printer. Since I want to 'test' the market first before investing in other equipment, is it ok for me to use an ink-jet printer with a hot iron to do the transfer?
By using ink-jet, will the colour fade after washing?
What's the difference between using hot-iron and heat-press machine?
Since I want to 'test' the market first before investing in other equipment, is it ok for me to use an ink-jet printer with a hot iron to do the transfer?
Ironed prints are ok for testing, but since you probably won't get the same results as a heat press, your tests might not be very accurate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by eveningbloom
By using ink-jet, will the colour fade after washing?
It's possible. You should use pigment-based inks to reduce the chance of fading.
Quote:
Originally Posted by eveningbloom
What's the difference between using hot-iron and heat-press machine?
A heat press will apply even pressure and accurate temperature to the garment, which will result in much more consistent and professional results. It will also be much faster to do each shirt.
Looks like I have to invest in heat press eventually. And the printer, just contacted my agent and he told me that the colour will fade tho it has a pigment-based ink .
So what kind of printer is good to do this heat transfer? I'm looking at the one that could only print up to 8.5" x 11" only.
For quality testing, I intend to have this design (see photo attached) for my son's first bday and another one for his older sister. I intend to print on white t-shirt.
And the printer, just contacted my agent and he told me that the colour will fade tho it has a pigment-based ink .
I think there is always some degree of fading with inkjet transfers in the first wash, but overall pigment-based inks are going to be better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by eveningbloom
So what kind of printer is good to do this heat transfer? I'm looking at the one that could only print up to 8.5" x 11" only.
The Epson C88+ is a popular choice around here, and it does come with pigment inks (Durabrite). If it's not available in your area, try looking for the D88, I believe it is a similar model.
Quote:
Originally Posted by eveningbloom
For quality testing, I intend to have this design (see photo attached) for my son's first bday and another one for his older sister. I intend to print on white t-shirt.
What sort of trimming do I need to do?
I think you should be ok trimming around the outside edge within 1/8" of the designs. The blue design has a lot of empty space on the inside, so you will be able to see some of the clear "window" that the paper leaves behind in that area, but it shouldn't be too bad.
You really need to test the paper for yourself to see if it lives up to your expectations.
Thanks a lot. I think that Epson Printer is available here. Guess, I'll go and buy the necessary stuffs to do my first iron-on t-shirt and see how it goes. Will give it a try on what's available in the market here.
Shall come back to this forum once done with my first try.
I think there is always some degree of fading with inkjet transfers in the first wash, but overall pigment-based inks are going to be better.
The Epson C88+ is a popular choice around here, and it does come with pigment inks (Durabrite). If it's not available in your area, try looking for the D88, I believe it is a similar model.
I think you should be ok trimming around the outside edge within 1/8" of the designs. The blue design has a lot of empty space on the inside, so you will be able to see some of the clear "window" that the paper leaves behind in that area, but it shouldn't be too bad.
You really need to test the paper for yourself to see if it lives up to your expectations.
Hello Jasonda,
I am a newbie also. I am wondering what is a pigment based ink
exactly?
Also do you recommend the ink Jet printer over a laser printer for the transfers?
Finally, do you cut out the inside of the transfers with a knife on a board or are there particular scissors that you recommend?
Hi TracyT, we use Inkjet printers for transfers, and positives (screen printing). Infact we use an epson 1280, and if we're lazy we use an hp, usually to size the artwork.
We use scissors to cut around the edges, but if an exacto knife and board works for you the go ahead and use it.
You can buy a manual screen printer for a pretty low price, then take some classes, read books, and articles on the subject, You can probably intern somewhere too to get some experience.
I see you're based in NY, we're in NJ., howdy neighbor!
Hi TracyT, we use Inkjet printers for transfers, and positives (screen printing). Infact we use an epson 1280, and if we're lazy we use an hp, usually to size the artwork.
We use scissors to cut around the edges, but if an exacto knife and board works for you the go ahead and use it.
You can buy a manual screen printer for a pretty low price, then take some classes, read books, and articles on the subject, You can probably intern somewhere too to get some experience.
I see you're based in NY, we're in NJ., howdy neighbor!
Hi Paul,
Howdy neighbor-right back at you. Thanks for your help. I will look into screenprinting too.
We only use the heat transfers for t-shirts. I suppose you could use it for polo's, we use them on some tote bags.
We're happy with it, but it really depends on your customer. If they don't like it they won't come back, nor will they refer your name.
Do you have a heat press? Please don't use an Iron, transfer work really well with Heat-Presses not Irons.
I'm sure you can get a very good used one right here in the classified if you don't have one already, and want to save money. Do your homework and check out the different types and how they work. They have Clam-shells, Swing Away, and also automatic. The automatic is great if you don't want to be pulling the clam shell or swing away up and down or left and rightr all day.
Help! I don't know where to start... 
www.busyPrinting.com
Heat Transfer Paper Price List
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Re: Help! I don't know where to start... 
