Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Hi everyone I have been considering taking up transfering T-shirts for a hobby and business later. I have noticed that most of the heat press are out of my budget for a hobby, I have found one ( Seiki Digital 15x15 ) and was wondering if it was any good.
If things go good with it as a hobby I may just turn it in to a business. I have researched about the Hix & Stahl brands, they are the better from what I have read on this site.
Being that I am not sure I only plan on doing T-shirts for now, is 15x15 what I need?
Hi everyone I have been considering taking up transfering T-shirts for a hobby and business later. I have noticed that most of the heat press are out of my budget for a hobby, I have found one ( Seiki Digital 15x15 ) and was wondering if it was any good.
If things go good with it as a hobby I may just turn it in to a business. I have researched about the Hix & Stahl brands, they are the better from what I have read on this site.
Being that I am not sure I only plan on doing T-shirts for now, is 15x15 what I need?
Thanks
15 x 15 is the minimum size most forum members suggest. On the other hand many started with and still use a smaller press. I am in the same boat as you as far as starting as a hobby so I have decided to start with the Mighty Press 11x15. My wife is a runner and does many races a year. The race's always give out a tee with the sign-up package. I measured the design's on about 50 of her tee's and the 11x15 could do 80% of them. If things go well I will upgrade to a 16x20 in the future.
Thanks that really helps now I have a idea what I should start with. To save time I know it's a thread somewhere here about what is needed to start. I have a transfer site I am looking into until I get really into it, just wondering if I am missing anything.
1. Tranfers
2. heat press
3. shirts
Seems like something is missing. Once again thanks for helping me out.
Starting your business as a hobby is the way many of us got into the business. Lots of people found that thier hobby was growing so fast that it became became a full time business. I know I did. However you should check the IRS guidelines for hobby vs full time business. Remeber the feds want a cut both ways.
here a list..
heat press (I have a mighty press 15 x 15)
Transfers? which type.. Dark and lights. Be sure to buy the right type. get samples
Printer. Epson pigment inks based is recommended. C88+ , c120 (newest)
get sample of plastisol transfers. (First Edition and ace transfer are my sources.
Apprerel. I use SanMar and Bodek and Rhodes. Get one day delivery and great pricing. Both are large companies with distribution all over.
Thanks, I'll check into all that I have learned today. For right now I'm going to wait for the printer until I get a customer base set. Any transfer sites recommended? Apologize for all the questions Ladies and Gentlemen just want to get of to the right start without going in the wrong direction. I did that before with a old hobby with gas powered cars no clue what I was doing and just stopped with a big lose.
Thanks, I'll check into all that I have learned today. For right now I'm going to wait for the printer until I get a customer base set. Any transfer sites recommended? Apologize for all the questions Ladies and Gentlemen just want to get of to the right start without going in the wrong direction. I did that before with a old hobby with gas powered cars no clue what I was doing and just stopped with a big lose.
Thanks for you guys here, this is awesome.
Do you mean stock transfers? Or Custom transfers. Stock transfer site I like is Artbrands. com
Custom I like Ace transfer and First Edition.
you might also check out Transfer Express Inc. - Home Page which is a part of Stahls. The have pretty good stock stuff as well as they will do custom. ask for samples...all you need to get wholesale is tax ID number which can be your soc sec number..
YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME !!!! Not yelling just excited to get going... Thanks
You may want to look into getting an inexpensive vinyl cutter. You can do signs, decals, shirts (apparel vinyl) There is a lot money to be made having one of these. Lou
A cutter can be used for apparel vinyl and sign vinyl as well. A copam 2500 seems to be the choice for low end. You can get on ebay for about $600. I hada JSI for a year and bout it from a friend used for 300. I made a great deal back on it doing signs and shirts. I just sold it back to the person I bought it from for $200. because I won a roland gx24.
Hey guys, I am also very new to this. I have a full time job but I have several hours spare time throughout the day. I am thinking this hobby/business will be an interesting venture. I have been following the thread about the vinyll cutter. how will this assist in Tshirts? Forgive me for my ignorance please, I have been looking at some heat presses for starts, but the vinyll press has caught my attention. Thanks for the information. Also, if anyone has time, please PM me with some ideas that the vinyll cutter can be used for.
with vinyl cutters you can cut any design..normally in one color...but multi color is possible..to press on any garment/item that can take the heat/pressure. Search the vinyl cutter area for some photos of what one can do. also check out youtube com for Josh Ellsworth videos...also I think US Cutter may have some videos as does imprintables warehouse and sign warehouse.
I would definitely look into the vinyl cutter, if you have any plans for turning this into a full time thing. They are a great source of profit and you can make so many different things with them, it's mind boggling. And if you can afford one, they are actually alot of fun to play around with and fairly easy to learn.
Check out those Josh Ellsworth videos on YouTube, they are awesome, and I think you'll enjoy them alot. Good luck to you.
New Hobby 
