Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
As much as I enjoy doing transfer work, when it comes to laundering them I find it to be a real pain having to tell customers what they "can't" use in their washing machines to prevent damage to the transfer. They find it's too much trouble having to be concerned about what detergent they use + the fabric softener issue when they can go silkscreen & have no such worries. Anyone else have this concern?
Not at all.Only thing I tell customers is that they want to air dry or use a lower(cooler) setting on the dryer.Most ppl know that after time transfers might fade or crack but depending on your design,it actually looks good...
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When the time comes which side will you choose?Revolution...DHj Co.
Most ppl know that after time transfers might fade or crack....
actually they don't crack or fade for a long, long time and a lot of wash and wear.
and, it is not a good idea to promo that they do because they don't. Transfer makers have struggled with this delema thru the years to make consummers aware of that. Todays plastisol transfers are extremely durable. Screen print transfers are as good as it gets so lets not confuse things and mis-lead the public with the general term "transfers".
below is a design by a TF member, i have this shirt, it has been washed a lot and it still looks amaizing. Zero fade, Zero Crack. even when you stretch it.
(c) Burby Shirts - Folk Bot
I know transfers could also mean other types of transfers.... best to clarify what type. Just to keep things in focus.
As much as I enjoy doing transfer work, when it comes to laundering them I find it to be a real pain having to tell customers what they "can't" use in their washing machines to prevent damage to the transfer. They find it's too much trouble having to be concerned about what detergent they use + the fabric softener issue when they can go silkscreen & have no such worries. Anyone else have this concern?
Well, short answer on this one is that is the sacrifice your customer makes if they wish to use low quality inkjet transfers. If you were to use a high quality dye sublimation process like the Sawgrass unit you will not have these issues, but you will be very limited to the white (over very light) garment colors.
You need to focus on finding customers who WANT screen printed garments, and not spend much time with the ones who only want short order, low quality "transfers". In fact, I would not spend any time "explaining" it.. if I were you I would simply make a sheet with care instructions and hand it to them and tell them to read it...then move on to the more profitable work.
actually they don't crack or fade for a long, long time and a lot of wash and wear.
and, it is not a good idea to promo that they do because they don't. Transfer makers have struggled with this delema thru the years to make consummers aware of that. Todays plastisol transfers are extremely durable. Screen print transfers are as good as it gets so lets not confuse things and mis-lead the public with the general term "transfers".
below is a design by a TF member, i have this shirt, it has been washed a lot and it still looks amaizing. Zero fade, Zero Crack. even when you stretch it.
(c) Burby Shirts - Folk Bot
I know transfers could also mean other types of transfers.... best to clarify what type. Just to keep things in focus.
This is true and I didn't think about that but most of us(not all) should know what kind of transfers would,so if the original post is about care instructions it should be obvious to those who know better what kind they are in reference to.Keep in mind the post.I knew what they were refering to as far as transfers,do you???Not to mention trasfers do after time and time is in reference to little under a decade depending on how much you wash and wear that article of clothing.Our comrade has probably not been in the biz long to even get into the real quote on quote transfers.We got a lot of new ppl on the site.And I don't mean new to the site but new to the whole experience.All in all,point well taken.I apologize for any confusion to any newcomers.To the vets,DUHHH!!!!
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When the time comes which side will you choose?Revolution...DHj Co.
Amen to that brother.Only experience would know that their problem is with inkjet transfers.What type not even needed to be clarified.For those that don't know,I guess that's why you are here...
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When the time comes which side will you choose?Revolution...DHj Co.
actually they don't crack or fade for a long, long time and a lot of wash and wear.
Yes, they do. Transfers ≠ plastisol transfers. When people mean plastisol transfers, they tend to say plastisol transfers (or more often around here just "plastisol"). There's no sense trying to realign everybody else's lexicon.
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Originally Posted by T-BOT
Transfer makers have struggled with this delema thru the years to make consummers aware of that.
Why struggle? You shouldn't even be fighting it. You don't change the consumer's mind by trying to redefine their definitions and making them take on extra information they don't want (or necessarily understand), you need to talk to them on their level in their language. "They're not really transfers, they're more like screenprinting." is going to be more effective than "No! No! No! Everything you believe is wrong!". Don't try and tell people transfers don't suck when they know that they do suck - make them realise plastisol transfers are a new and separate product.
Quote:
Originally Posted by T-BOT
so lets not confuse things and mis-lead the public with the general term "transfers".
This is an industry forum - no-one is misleading the public. Your accusations are unfair.
No-one here is confused, unless they're now confused because they think you're telling them that crappy dime store transfers won't crack. Dye sublimation transfers don't suck either, but no-one seems to feel the need to stick up for them - because it's obvious.
.....you need to talk to them on their level in their language. "They're not really transfers, they're more like screenprinting." is going to be more effective than "No! No! No! Everything you believe is wrong!". Don't try and tell people transfers don't suck when they know that they do suck - make them realise plastisol transfers are a new and separate product.
Holy-crapolia.
thats a great new marketing idea---> make them realise plastisol transfers are a new and separate product
but they are not new, and still today we need to clarify that.
but i still think it would be a lot easier to follow transfer topics by transfer type. Because i believe that not all know the difference and it could get confusing for some. I mean, for the ones in the know, its just a matter of defining the transfer type when posting.
I guess it would be crazy to expect the typical customer to know that there is even such a thing as different types of transfers. I know alot of people that come into our store get a scared look when they see a heat press, and start questioning the quality. I usually just assure them that the transfer business has come a long way over the years, and that the transfers we use (all plastisol, by the way) are very close to the same quality reached by screenprinting.
Of course, I try to simplify the whole process of explanation, I don't expect them to understand industry terms, and the like. But 9 times out of 10, with a short answer and a little confidence on my part, they leave feeling alot better than they did when they came in. ANd I feel better knowing that I helped dispel the myth that all transfers are low quality. (Again, I am referring only to plastisol in this comparison. Inkjet transfers, in my opinion, just do not stand up to the long term quality I personally look for in a tshirt. )
I know alot of people that come into our store get a scared look when they see a heat press, and start questioning the quality. I usually just assure them that the transfer business has come a long way over the years, and that the transfers we use (all plastisol, by the way) are very close to the same quality reached by screenprinting.
......Inkjet transfers, in my opinion, just do not stand up to the long term quality I personally look for in a tshirt. )
thank you. That was exactly my point. ....relating to plastisol transfer makers and such re-sellers/retailers have stuggled with the myths and have spent endless hrs educating the general PUBLIC/consummers that they are good quality and will NOT wash off.
No problem Lucy. If I could add up all the time I have spent trying to educate the public, albiet totally necessary to the business, I would have found that two week vacation I have been dying for for so long.
It's sad, people still remember those aweful transfers from eons ago that literally peeled off after one or two washes, and they let those memories cloud their judgement. I would compare those sad transfers to the 8-track. They were suitable for the period of time, but things they are-a changin'. lol These days, we are listening to ipods and wearing plastisol, and we can watch tv right from our cell phones. Ahhh technology!
As much as I enjoy doing transfer work, when it comes to laundering them I find it to be a real pain having to tell customers what they "can't" use in their washing machines to prevent damage to the transfer. They find it's too much trouble having to be concerned about what detergent they use + the fabric softener issue when they can go silkscreen & have no such worries. Anyone else have this concern?
I have to agree with you! I've noticed all kinds of problems with my plastisol transfers. I've had some clients tells me that the transfers have cracked in the first 2 washes. Also I've had a few shirts where when you pulled on the fabric the transfer would crack right away.
I haven't had much trouble washing them myself. i wash in cold water and hang or lay flat to dry. I even have that on my neck tags and have told clients/customers that if they don't follow the instructions that I am not responsible.
I display a sublimated shirt, a laser transfer shirt and a washed laser transfer shirt. That is usually enough to dispel the myths associated with transfers. Those who are still on the fence go with sublimation.
When you have transfers made, you should make sure they are using adhesion promoter. This is a powder that you sprinkle on the last layer of wet ink when you print the transfer. When you press the transfer, the powder melts and helps adhesion. If the transfer was cured too much after printing, it won't adhere properly and will crack and peel. Adhesion promoter gives the printer some room for error on the cure time.
The problem with transfers: 
Re: The problem with transfers: 
