Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Okay, I recently decided to get into the T-shirt biz. When I first decided to do this I was planning on screen printing. So I went on the web and tried to learn everything I could about screenprinting. I started seeing random things about heat transfers so I started looking into that. Just to start out with screenprinting it was going to look like I needed at $1500 to even get started. So then I started researching Heat Pressing.
My plans to start out is to buy a Heat Press, probably the Mighty Press Lite 11x15. I plan on just outsourcing all my transfers and doing that to save up some money to start doing screenprinting as well. My target market is going to be the local music scene in my hometown doing shirts for local bands (small quantities @ an affordable price).
Hey bro, I started my operation the same way.... Fortunately I have a good friend who owns and operates a heat-transfer printing company. After a few beers and some other trades, he printed out my designs. (30 sheets of as many designs as I could fit on the 25x38 inch screen)
As this worked out to be the best startup solution for me, I bought a small Jetpress and only hold a small supply of black shirts at home, it has turned out to be a pain in the ***. Since I only do small orders, I only press when I get an order. And getting new designs made now is a pain in the a$$ as I go through my super busy friend.
If I had a better distribution channel, besides online sales, I would go the silk screen way and invest in the inventory.
Creston, I have the 15 x 15 Mighty press. Most of the time it the size is adequate . There are times I wish I had bought a 16 x20. I couldn't imagine having a smaller heat press.
Mike
Well thanks for the info from both of you. I was curious about the smaller size but alot of places i read said the 11x15 would probably be adequate. I really dont have plans of doing any art that is much bigger than like a 9x12 or so.
For what it is worth....I started 7 years ago with a Hix hobby lite, 12x12 I think it was..worked for me until I upgraded...so what you are thinking will work...or it did for me
Is this a good way to start up in the biz? 
