Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Anyone tell me if first-edition has screen charges?
It doesn't mention it on their website, and they don't accept email correspondence.
Also, can anyone give me a general idea of shipping fees for transfers?
I know that's a loaded question...
but what do you normally pay on shipping for the amount of transfers you purchase, from where to where?
Every shop I've contacted won't even give me a ballpark on shipping fees...
and they ALL seem to use UPS or FedEx which are the most expensive shipping companies.
That TOTALLY affects the bottom line.
500 transfers should fit in a USPS (rectangle) flat-rate box for $9...
so how much are you paying on shipping?
Which shops wouldn't tell you how much shipping charges would be? Seems like they would be able to ballpark it based on an order size.
I've contacted everyone from Howard to Dowling to Quicktrans to Versatrans...
and even more than that, but some I didn't necessarily ask for shipping info.
I gave First-Edition a free pass because their pricing is on the website and it's very reasonable...
and 'cuz I'm tired of dealing with people on the phone for the most mundane of tasks.
It's like calling someone to ask "what time is it?" LOL!
So...First-Edition gets the "I'm ready to do business" call tomorrow.
But, what IS the ballpark shipping rate for 1000 transfers?
I figure 1000 is an even number that we can make assumptions with.
Remember that not all transfers are created equal.
All my designs are one color, black or white ink...
being a screen printer myself, I can say (in this simple scenario) all transfers ARE created equal.
If they don't work, either the printer overcured or my press sucks.
Either way, someone ELSE has some explaining to do.
I'm really just trying to avoid getting an entire book of 4-color-process transfers to find out (after I eventually spend money) that a company doesn't print one color transfers well.
The general consensus on these forums is that sample packs don't print well...
so I'm really just curious to hear from people that re-order transfers regularly from whatever company works for them.
I've read almost every post in the heat transfer forum...
'cuz that how I roll, fast and out of contr...Ah, gah...brainfreeze!!
Last edited by cuush.com; August 2nd, 2007 at 09:56 PM.
All my designs are one color, black or white ink...
being a screen printer myself, I can say (in this simple scenario) all transfers ARE created equal.
Not necessarily...
I've used First Edition and was happy with them.
But, I've also used F&M Expressions (another forum member) and just finished a job tonight with a one color (white) design and they are great.
Every job I order from them "peels like butter" and there is very little waste.
The F&M transfers run at 325 deg for 7 seconds while the First Edition run at 375 deg for 15 sec. The F&M transfers peel up flawlessly and leave no ink behind on the release paper while First Edition I found to require a bit more effort.
Little things like that make a 150 shirt order go very smoothly while cutting the press time almost in half.
Just my $.02.....
__________________ Big Daddy Screenprinting -Affordable contract Heat Press Services & Low Volume Screen Printing up to 4 spot colors with no setup or screen fees
Shipping charges
I think most companies just pass along the cost of shipping that is charged to them by the services available-UPS, DHL and Federal Express. The shipment price is based on weight, distance and time. 100 transfers weigh about 5 pounds, including a box and will ship ground with any of the above services for about $7.00. We can ship USPS but their tracking system is not at the level of the other services if the package is late or lost so we do discourage using them. They really aren't any less money for the risk you take on a shipment.
being a screen printer myself, I can say (in this simple scenario) all transfers ARE created equal.
This doesn't translate to transfers
Some transfers apply more easily than others. Even with a simple 1 color design.
There are definitely differences between the transfer printers.
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I'm really just trying to avoid getting an entire book of 4-color-process transfers to find out (after I eventually spend money) that a company doesn't print one color transfers well.
Then don't get a book of 4 color transfers. You're making it much harder than it needs to be
Just ask each company for samples of exactly the kind of transfers you want to do. If that's one color designs, then ask them for samples of that. That's exactly what I did.
Just trying to help you out It doesn't cost you anything for the samples...and the time you spent testing can save you time and money down the road.
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The general consensus on these forums is that sample packs don't print well...
I have not read that general consensus at all.
I have had several sample transfers that have printed very well.
Why would a company send you samples of their worst work if they want to gain your business?
All I'm saying is that 90% of people want to see full color high opacity designs...
so that's what printers try to woo you with...the high end stuff.
I don't need all that...I just need black and white - hot and cold split samples.
Anyway, I've already asked a few companies to send samples covering my specific needs...
unfortunately, every response I got back gave me the distinct impression that I was only gonna get their standard pre-built "sample pack"...
much like the packs you (Rodney) got in your excellent thread on the different companies (there's only 4 one color designs amongst the 8 companies).
As far as shipping goes...
I've used the UPS calculator to estimate shipping one (1lbs) t-shirt from Florida to California...
prices start at $20.77 USD - gimme a break!
I really don't know where "suew" is getting $7 for a 5lbs box...???
Anyhow, I'm just playing the waiting game...
I got my press the other day and I have nothing to test it with!!!!
Last edited by cuush.com; August 3rd, 2007 at 06:02 PM.
Yep, my own post showed some multi colored transfers. But it also showed some simple one colored transfers.
I don't think 90% of people want to see full color transfers at all. Most companies will send you a wide selection (full color AND single color) just to cover the bases unless you ask for a specific type.
If you ASK for one color transfers, you'll GET one color transfers
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much like the packs you (Rodney) got in your excellent thread on the different companies (there's only 4 one color designs amongst the 8 companies).
That's just what I *showed*. For the sake of the review, I didn't press every single type of transfer that they sent me.
All 8 companies sent at least one single color design to test.
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I've used the UPS calculator to estimate shipping one (1lbs) t-shirt from Florida to California...
prices start at $20.77 USD - gimme a break!
I'm not sure where you're getting $20.77 for a one pound box shipped cross country. That's not even close to the starting UPS ground price.
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I really don't know where "suew" is getting $7 for a 5lbs box...???
That's because that's pretty close to what it costs.
Here's a screenshot from UPS.com - shipping a 5 pound package from New York (10101) to California (90210). Came to less than $11.
All 8 companies sent at least one single color design to test.
Cool...'cuz I need black and white ink, hot and cold split. Specifically.
All the rest of the full color designs are junk to me. point.
Shipping...
when I use the UPS shipping calculator it doesn't offer "Ground" as a service.
But then, I don't have a UPS account...maybe they're trying to deter people who send small packages?
The calculator from their front page doesn't show "Ground"...log out and try it.
I'm really not trying to lie about what their website shows...I don't work for the post.
I ship 300+ packages a week, UPS/FedEx has always been ripoff as long as I can remember...
5 lbs for $10 is pretty good....but that would mean 1lbs would be less than USPS....approx $2
Really?
Last edited by cuush.com; August 4th, 2007 at 01:21 AM.
when I use the UPS shipping calculator it doesn't offer "Ground" as a service.
But then, I don't have a UPS account...maybe they're trying to deter people who send small packages?
The calculator from their front page doesn't show "Ground"...log out and try it.
I'm really not trying to lie about what their website shows...I don't work for the post.
That's really weird. I wasn't logged in when I did the shipping calculation and it worked fine for me.
UPS ground is their standard service, so I'm not sure why it didn't work for you. Maybe you checked a box that I didn't check, or vice versa.
Or, they may have been having technical difficulties at the time. When I tried using the iship.com cost comparison tool, it didn't want to show me UPS ground either.
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5 lbs for $10 is pretty good....but that would mean 1lbs would be less than USPS....approx $2
Unfortunately, UPS doesn't scale *down* that well. Shipping a one pound package would probably be about $7-8 UPS Ground.
USPS still wins (in my opinion) for packages under 5 pounds. First class under a pound or Priority Mail flat rate boxes for heavier stuff. Both come with delivery confirmation so you can prove the package got there.
UPS is the way to go for orders over 5 pounds. It's surprising how much cheaper it is when you compare a 10 pound package from UPS and USPS.
Unfortunately, UPS doesn't scale *down* that well. Shipping a one pound package would probably be about $7-8 UPS Ground.
I see now..I tried the shipping calculator with a 1lbs package.
UPS just won't show "Ground" rates for small packages (deterrent?).
Soooo...a box of 1000 transfers, assuming about 5lbs per 100 = 50lbs...
(NOTE: I totally fudged the box size - 16L x 16W x 25H - does it matter?).
...from Florida to California (the extreme) comes to about $65 (An extra $0.07 per transfer.)
So I suppose that's not too bad for what it is...Haha!
That's some seriously loose math tho...
but it answered the question well enough!
Thanks for all the help guys...
I'll start a thread with some of my transfer experiences as they happen.
I intend to be doing a lot of custom work with a variety of detail...
so it should be interesting to see how much money I waste before I learn the limitations of plastisol transfers.
First-Edition - Screen Charges? 
