Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
I am debating on DTG or sublimation for my next purchase. I like to work in very complex imagery and like the no hand of sublimation, but I hate polyester. Are there any advances in technology to look forward for cotton garments?
Well, DTG is certainly the way to go then. You can print on 100% cotton, which is a lot cheaper than the specialty dye-sub shirts. The only drawback is the startup cost between the two.
It mainly depends on what you plan on printing. If it's mainly shirts, DTG is the way to go. If you want to print coffee cups and all sorts of other things like durable tiles for backsplashes, then dye-sub is a better alternative.
You can get into dye-sub cheap. Maybe that is a good route to go and see how it works into your business model.
Depending on the amount of money you want to spend. DTG will cost you some $$ Sublimation will not cost as much, and will get you started with less $$. If cost isnt an issue, go with dtg.
Not to be rude, but have you done any research other than what you are asking here? DTG inks have no hand, they should work on silk. I haven't tried them yet, but the nature of DTG inks is that they will work on any "organic" fiber. Mainly, a carbon based fiber, which is all organic means anyway. Ask a dealer if they have printed any.
No problem, I would also start surfing around some of the websites for manufacturers. I am too lazy to put in the links, but check out Brother, Flexi-Jet, DTG from SWF, Fast T-Jet, Sawgrass, and a few others.
There is some great info out there, but don't always believe what you are told by salespeople.
DTG printers:
- Anajet, T-Jet, etc... 13K-16K
- Brother 22K an up
- Kornit (90K and up)
- sublimation (good luck on cotton, or even 50/50) unless u sublimate into the paper itself... some people say they do it and get satisfactory results... all samples I have seen did not impress me.
DO your home work... you have about 2 to 3 weeks of reading to do based on hours daily... not a shot here and there... start by understanding what 'sublimation' means... just google that word....
1. I know we are talking about a natural substrate versus a synthetic one... Since sublimation penetrates the fiber rather than reside on top(what is on top probably washes away fast), will it not have a true ZEROhand (nearly indiscernible) whereas DTG although direct but still 'painted on' have somewhat of a hand(as compared to sublimation)? Can someone give a true account as to this comparison? For instance: Could one(blindfolded) pass one's hand on several garments laid out flat side by side on table and tell which is imprinted with what? or is blank? (Exclude the diffeence in feel between the cotton versus the poly substrates) Note: Keep in mind that the Hanes Soft L'Ink(100% inner cotton liner, 100% outer poly liner) is a mighty contender as it seems to have the best of both worlds.
2. Surely non-sublimated Digital Transfers on garments have a plasticized tablecloth like hand and are not in the same class, but a DTG on dark requires the pasty white ink as a pseudo substrate... does that not also create a water proof feel to the fabric, taking away from its suppleness? and actually be considered to have 'hand'?
3. Is DTG performed on poly? on any special application?
4. As to color vibrancy and wash fastness, how about a true comparison between Sublimated and DTG(ed) garments?
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stayin in touch, NicMartel
Last edited by NicMartel; October 16th, 2007 at 09:24 PM.
DTG or Sublimation??? 
