Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
I will be heat pressing my designs. I don’t want all my designs to be “square designs.” For example, if I want to make a skull T-Shirt I would want just the skull design on the shirt nothing in the background etc… I hope this makes sense for I don’t think Iam explaining it well.
Anyhow, for those that understand what Iam trying to explain, what type of transfers would best fit my need? Can I use any of the transfers and just trim them around the parts I want pressed? Or is there one type that is best for this option?
If you want to print them yourself, ImageClip laser paper is about the only self weeding paper option, unless you set up for sublimation. If you want to farm out the printing and you're dealing with spot color, plastisol transfers would work well.
When it comes to inkjets, and you are printing white (or light) shirts, you are going to have to trim around the design. If not, there will be a window of "film" visible. If dark shirts, basically the same thing, except it will be a white background. If you don't want to hand cut these designs you could always get a cutter that contour cuts around the design ($1800)
Other options to explore would be: Plastisol transfers. These are basically the same as screen printing, but to a sheet of paper. Then you press it to the shirt. There isn't any window or box, just design.
On the more expensive side would be DTG printer ($10k-15K?). These print directly to shirts. Roland VersaCamms ($11k-21k). These systems print and then cut around the design.
As mention above by Ross, you can use ImageClip (For Lasers) that can only print to white or light colored shirts. As well as dye-sub, which is limited to white or lights and polyester shirts only.
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wow - after some additional research this can get expensive - mainly because there is a minimal order I would have to buy. Are there any Plastisol transfer companies out there that dont require a minimal order? My designs are not tested - I would only need 1-2 of each design til I figure all this out.
Here is a link to an ongoing thread about a chinese paper that uses sublimination dye ink and it is supposed to be able to transfer only the ink onto cotton or 50/50 cotton poly blends. The results are hit and miss, some more successful than others. Here's the link just so you can read it if you are interested in following along with that product. The word is a mfg is trying to re-formulate for better results: Self weeding paper
Thanks Kelly. I forgot to mention vinyl for one colors. Of course from his first description, I thought he may have been talking about multicolored designs with typical heat transfers. And also there is always the self weeding, but it seems like cost is still high for too much hit and miss on it.
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NP, Robert. Chani is going to test those cutters for use with inkjet transfers at the end of her testing, after she's done with the vinyls. Hopefully, she'll have great results, and there will finally be an affordable cutter that is capable of the contour cuts.
Anyhow, for those that understand what Iam trying to explain, what type of transfers would best fit my need? Can I use any of the transfers and just trim them around the parts I want pressed? Or is there one type that is best for this option?
== BQ ==
The recommendations on here will be as varied as opinions, depending on the user, there are many brands suitable for you intentions. I'm currently using IronAll light and dark to achieve what you desire. JetPro Softstrech is also getting good reviews and I plan to try some when I need to make a purchase again. Check the suppliers for sample packs and put your name on mailing lists for sale flyers (emails) from the various suppliers. When you grow tired of cutting your designs out with an Exacto knife, it'll be time to look at something like a CraftROBO or (bite my tongue) a Laserpoint for contour cutting. Good luck.
. JetPro Softstrech is also getting good reviews and I plan to try some when I need to make a purchase again.
I have a feeling you will love the Jetprosofstretch (an ex-ironall light user here.) I just washed a test shirt using JPSS for the 7th time, and second time with one cup of bleach. No fading. The hitch is, I didn't use pigment ink, I am testing this shirt with Canon regular Dye Ink. I think JPSS is amazing for color retention. I hope you experience with it is as great as mine is.
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Check the suppliers for sample packs and put your name on mailing lists for sale flyers (emails) from the various suppliers.
One place to add to your list for shopping JPSS when you are ready is tshirtsupplies.com. There are new suppliers all the time, but so far, they seem to be the lowest. I'm hoping for price drops across the board as more and more suppliers come on board. Be nice to see them try to beat each other's prices. But if you haven't heard of tshirtsupplies.com, add them to your list of price checking. I hear they will get the 11x17 for you if you ask for it, they just didn't have it on the site. It may be there now for all I know.
Question from a Noob – No square design 
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