Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Hey Guys, Now I am ready for some real questions. I have been hanging around for over a week and learned way more than I know what to do with but I am getting there. Here's what I think I have figured out and please feel free to correct me!! And forgive any questions that are really stupid.
I want to put iron on transfers on some shirts, t and rib knit and some really stretchy shorts and pants. I need a printer with pigment inks, I have looked at the C88 from Epson. What about the new inks they talk about on that website? The printers for them are way expensive. Is it worth the difference? I am still a bit confused on the best type transfer paper but I think I need something like the stretchflex paper from Imprintables for the lycra shorts. And I am ready to take the leap for a heat press. Do you wash the shirts first? What about shirts I dye? Any problems iron on transfers on them? What about the rib knit shirts? Any special problem with those or do I need the stretchflex paper for those too? I would just have a screen printer do these for me but my market is limited right now to the 400+ students at the modeling studio and I do a lot of different designs and don't think doing a small amount of each screen would be wise money wise. Would it be cheaper to have the transfers made by someone and then iron them on myself? Sorry for the long post but I need advice before I jump in and spend this money. LOL Thanks in advance for your help. This is a great forum and has helped me so much already!!!
I would stick with the Durabrite inks (they are a known for working). I advise you to contact Josh at Imprintables for your paper needs and heatpress if you need one. Josh has set up a discount for forum members, so you get more for your money.I have seen the new presses in action and the phoenix phier is awesome. It automatically sets pressure and pops up when time is up. This allows you to do other things while pressing without the woryy of burning up a garment. Good luck. ..... JB
What about the rib knit shirts? Any special problem with those or do I need the stretchflex paper for those too?
I think the ironall paper would work for ribbed shirts, but I haven't tried it yet. It's pretty stretchy.
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I would just have a screen printer do these for me but my market is limited right now to the 400+ students at the modeling studio and I do a lot of different designs and don't think doing a small amount of each screen would be wise money wise.
Would it be cheaper to have the transfers made by someone and then iron them on myself?
This is something you would judge on a case by case basis depending on the job. Some jobs you'll be able to do in house, some jobs you'll make more by getting the transfers printed and shipped to you so you can just press them on.
Newbie questions 
