Lsal77

Hello Everyone,

Thanks in advance for your help. I am in the process of starting a business that has a component in which customers can create t-shirts form their own artwork. There are no restrictions to their artwork and they can use any colors they like. The only restriction is that all artwork must go on a 6"x6" square with rounded corners (no border though - their artwork would bleed to the edges of that square). All artwork will be digital. I do not want to restrict the color of the t-shirt that the customers can choose from. Here is my problem:

I have not been able to find any printer or printing method that allows me to print full color on anything but white tees. The problem is that in traditional printing methods the color white is not printed and instead the white tee is allowed to show through in the color white's place. This obviously does not work since the white would become red if it was done on a red shirt, or black on a black shirt, etc.

One idea I had was to pre-print a white 6"x6" square via silk screen to serve as a flash, and then do a digital transfer over that. Since I have the benefit of knowing the exact spec of every shirt (6x6) this may be possible. Still, quality is of the upmost importance and the vendor would have to guarantee perfect registration to the flash underneath. I don't even know if this technique would work or would produce a nice quality print (maybe too heavy), but it was just something I though of. I imagine there has to be a better way.

I know the tech exists because I've seen it done before, but everyone I talk to keeps referring me back to Cafe Press and their "million dollar" machines. Cafe Press is not an option for me as I need to find a vendor that will work with me directly and transparently.

I am also looking for this vendor to handle fulfillment from receiving the order (from me) to shipping it to the customer as if it were coming from my company. Additionally, though outside the scope of this forum, I know many t-shirt printers print other things and I am also interested in using the same artwork on various other articles and items such as posters, coasters, mouse pads, bags, etc. If any one vendor could meet all my requirements, that would be ideal.

Thanks again,

Luis

 

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treadhead

Hi Luis,

My recommendation would be to hook up with one of the many contract DTG printers on this site that will print and ship on demand. Don't know what costs you are hoping for but this won't be nearly as cheap as say using a heat transfer but you will get great results.

DTG allows you to print 1 shirt with full color on any color shirt. However, the darker colors require white ink and pretreatment but, done properly, it has a nice look and feel.

If things go well, then you can consider getting your own machine down the road.

Hope that helps!

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Lsal77

Thanks Treadhead. Good advice and it's what my research has been leaning me to since I posted this question. Do you know any DTG printers that might do this or that you might recommend?

 

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