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bleuefields · April 30th, 2008

I think I'm ready. My eyes hurt. I have been reading this site for about 8 hours (4 last night and about 4 now). Not counting the other days. A lot of the post i've read had a date of 2005 -2007. Technology has changed since then and want to receive current information. Thanks!

Mission:

To create t-shirts with my own designs and sell them at a retail cost of $18.00 +

I also want to do totebags.

I also plan to add rhinestones and special effects such as foil to my garments.

Hard Equipment:

Heat Press Machine - Want to be able to print up to 9 x 12. Prefer a swing away door.

Looking at the:
Hix Press 9 x 12 swing away door

Vinyl Cutter -OMGoodness, just learned about this like 30 minutes ago. Love it. I was wondering how to cut out in between images. Didn't want to have to sit for hours using my xacto knife. Now can i use this to cut out foil designs?

Looking at the:
I have no clue. Budget $200-400

Printer - I want to be able to print high quality transfers for commercial use and does not fade at least after 10 washes.

Looking at the:
Epson 1400 with the CIS Pigment connecter thingy.

Soft Equipment:

Teflon sheet
Transfer paper (depends on ink?)
A t-shirt ruler? name?
T-shirts
Xacto Knife

am I missing anything?

Questions for you!
Please!

What Inks are good for the job i want to accomplish? I have a serious headache now reading everyone's opinion. "Good" "Bad" "Durabrite" "Pigment Ink" "Claria Ink" AHHHH. Please give me a simple answer my head is about to explode! lol

The CIS connector, is it just different kind of inks since the Epson 1400 doesn't print claria inks well on garments?
I sure hope i asked that question right!

Vinyl Cutter, is this highley recommended? Does my budget sound cheap? I found one on ebay for $212 bucks, but it says a sign cutter. Is that the same thing?
Oh please help with this one. I'm so confused.

Heat press machines are more about preference right? Most of them press really well for long term use? Or it's the transfer paper and inks i have to be concerned with?
Please help with this one, too. If the heat press isn't a huge deal and the one i mentioned above is great i can at least purchase that today.

In order to do mousepads do i need to use Sublimation ink? Can i use the CIS pignment ink for this?

That's all for now. I would appreciate if ANYONE would respond. I know this site is filled with LOADS of information. But that's the problem. I am getting confused. Everyone has their own opinion and I am trying to find out what fits best for me.

Please help.

gmille39 · April 30th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by bleuefields


	I think I'm ready. My eyes hurt. I have been reading this site for about 8 hours (4 last night and about 4 now). Not counting the other days. A lot of the post i've read had a date of 2005 -2007. Technology has changed since then and want to receive current information. Thanks! Mission: To create t-shirts with my own designs and sell them at a retail cost of $18.00 + I also want to do totebags. I also plan to add rhinestones and special effects such as foil to my garments. Hard Equipment: Heat Press Machine - Want to be able to print up to 9 x 12. Prefer a swing away door. Looking at the: Hix Press 9 x 12 swing away door Vinyl Cutter -OMGoodness, just learned about this like 30 minutes ago. Love it. I was wondering how to cut out in between images. Didn't want to have to sit for hours using my xacto knife. Now can i use this to cut out foil designs? Looking at the: I have no clue. Budget $200-400 Printer - I want to be able to print high quality transfers for commercial use and does not fade at least after 10 washes. Looking at the: Epson 1400 with the CIS Pigment connecter thingy. Soft Equipment: Teflon sheet Transfer paper (depends on ink?) A t-shirt ruler? name? T-shirts Xacto Knife am I missing anything? Questions for you! Please! What Inks are good for the job i want to accomplish? I have a serious headache now reading everyone's opinion. "Good" "Bad" "Durabrite" "Pigment Ink" "Claria Ink" AHHHH. Please give me a simple answer my head is about to explode! lol The CIS connector, is it just different kind of inks since the Epson 1400 doesn't print claria inks well on garments? I sure hope i asked that question right! Vinyl Cutter, is this highley recommended? Does my budget sound cheap? I found one on ebay for $212 bucks, but it says a sign cutter. Is that the same thing? Oh please help with this one. I'm so confused. Heat press machines are more about preference right? Most of them press really well for long term use? Or it's the transfer paper and inks i have to be concerned with? Please help with this one, too. If the heat press isn't a huge deal and the one i mentioned above is great i can at least purchase that today. In order to do mousepads do i need to use Sublimation ink? Can i use the CIS pignment ink for this? That's all for now. I would appreciate if ANYONE would respond. I know this site is filled with LOADS of information. But that's the problem. I am getting confused. Everyone has their own opinion and I am trying to find out what fits best for me. Please help.

Add energy drinks to your list, unless you don't also have a full time job. I tend to be up most every night getting orders out.

Add a good T-Square to the list, as well as the Tsquareit positioning tool.

Upgrade to a 16X20 heat press. Much easier doing larger items such as large shirts and hoodies.

Sign cutters and vinyl cutters are the same thing. US Cutter seems to be a good one people here buy. If you can afford the Roland cutter look into that.

I looked at the Epson 1400 printer the other day. I didn't notice if this used the durabrite inks or not. I know someone else was using the wide format epson printer with a bulk ink system for sublimation printing and rolls of paper. It may have been a bigger printer. Either way, I would go with the wide format printer since it can go to 12 inches wide.

bleuefields · April 30th, 2008

Thanks! This printer prints 13" wide i believe. So that's good right? Thanks for your feedback. I do not have a full time job. My partner works full time and i work parttime (as well as freelance web design and photography). Energy drinks WILL be on my list! THANKS!

I'm sooo excited!

bleuefields · April 30th, 2008

OH MY GOSH i just realized i was viewing the member since date instead of the date at the top! See i need to take a nap!

Leatherneck · April 30th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by bleuefields


	Thanks! This printer prints 13" wide i believe. So that's good right? Thanks for your feedback. I do not have a full time job. My partner works full time and i work parttime (as well as freelance web design and photography). Energy drinks WILL be on my list! THANKS! I'm sooo excited!

Definately the energy drinks and lots of them. I agree with the 16 x 20 press and a wide format printer. Good luck in your venture, keep us informed of your progress

bleuefields · April 30th, 2008

Oh yes most certainly! I WiLL! I will post pics and all!

Now i haven't thought about taking orders, i guess this is something i would have to consider. I don't want a whole work load at this point so i'll start by doing small jobs as well as create my own to sell.

Leatherneck · April 30th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by bleuefields


	Oh yes most certainly! I WiLL! I will post pics and all! Now i haven't thought about taking orders, i guess this is something i would have to consider. I don't want a whole work load at this point so i'll start by doing small jobs as well as create my own to sell.

Working at your own pace is key. Don't overload yourself and get burned out on it. I started out doing small jobs and increased production when I hit that comfort zone. It's good to not overload yourself with orders you are not able to fill. With each day your experience and skill will grow... I learn something new all the time and this forum certainly helps with questions or input.

gmille39 · April 30th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leatherneck


	Working at your own pace is key. Don't overload yourself and get burned out on it. I started out doing small jobs and increased production when I hit that comfort zone. It's good to not overload yourself with orders you are not able to fill. With each day your experience and skill will grow... I learn something new all the time and this forum certainly helps with questions or input.

That's funny. GO AT YOUR OWN PACE. When the $1300 heat press showed up at the door my wife freaked. She said that if you could make money creating heat transfers and selling them, everyone would be doing it. The business generated paid for the press after two months. After three months she had me up until 3-4 am every night getting orders out. I get up at 5 to go to my "real" job. It wasn't long before ebay was keeping us busy 7 days a week.
She then starting doing more on ebay, opened an etsy store, created her own web site and then took orders from friends. We then added proworld transfers to the mix and started doing rinestones and stud transfers.
I opened a premium shop at cafepress and now receive a steady $250 check every month. In my spare time, somewhere between during lunch breaks and somewhere in the wee hours of the night, I created my own web site for my side business where I do contract work for schools, cheer groups, corporate promotional type stuff and so on.

Going at your own pace has worked well for me.

Leatherneck · April 30th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmille39


	That's funny. GO AT YOUR OWN PACE. When the $1300 heat press showed up at the door my wife freaked. She said that if you could make money creating heat transfers and selling them, everyone would be doing it. The business generated paid for the press after two months. After three months she had me up until 3-4 am every night getting orders out. I get up at 5 to go to my "real" job. It wasn't long before ebay was keeping us busy 7 days a week. She then starting doing more on ebay, opened an etsy store, created her own web site and then took orders from friends. We then added proworld transfers to the mix and started doing rinestones and stud transfers. I opened a premium shop at cafepress and now receive a steady $250 check every month. In my spare time, somewhere between during lunch breaks and somewhere in the wee hours of the night, I created my own web site for my side business where I do contract work for schools, cheer groups, corporate promotional type stuff and so on. Going at your own pace has worked well for me.

Wow, I can certainly tell that. I understand the late nights and the early mornings. Almost felt like the "it's time to make the doughnuts" guy expecting to meet myself coming or going. LOL! Not everyone can meet those very demanding no sleep hours though. It just happened to work for me where I could start out small and advance at an acceptable pace. I think the ultimate key to success is to not make it so taxing on yourself that you no longer enjoy it or remember why you began in the first place. Of course push yourself but don't push yourself to the point of disgust with it

Sounds like your dedication and hard work paid off for you congrats on that

bleuefields · April 30th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmille39


	That's funny. GO AT YOUR OWN PACE. When the $1300 heat press showed up at the door my wife freaked. She said that if you could make money creating heat transfers and selling them, everyone would be doing it. The business generated paid for the press after two months. After three months she had me up until 3-4 am every night getting orders out. I get up at 5 to go to my "real" job. It wasn't long before ebay was keeping us busy 7 days a week. She then starting doing more on ebay, opened an etsy store, created her own web site and then took orders from friends. We then added proworld transfers to the mix and started doing rinestones and stud transfers. I opened a premium shop at cafepress and now receive a steady $250 check every month. In my spare time, somewhere between during lunch breaks and somewhere in the wee hours of the night, I created my own web site for my side business where I do contract work for schools, cheer groups, corporate promotional type stuff and so on. Going at your own pace has worked well for me.

wow what an inspirational story! lol. i am so ready. i hope i can find the balance between art and money. I tend to get caught up on the art end and don't profit. I plan to profit with this though

i am so glad i found this forum. It is so fun...well once you understand what everone is talking about. Just woke up from an hour nap. had to let my eyes rest!

Leatherneck · April 30th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by bleuefields


	wow what an inspirational story! lol. i am so ready. i hope i can find the balance between art and money. I tend to get caught up on the art end and don't profit. I plan to profit with this though i am so glad i found this forum. It is so fun...well once you understand what everone is talking about. Just woke up from an hour nap. had to let my eyes rest!

You sound very excited about this ... that kind of enthusiasm is always a positive

. Hope the nap helped!

suew · April 30th, 2008

Another consideration since you are just starting and doing this as a side job, is to purchase transfers. The only investment needed is a heat press, and your supplier will supply screen printed transfers that can be applied in seconds--giving you more time to do the selling and less in production.

gmille39 · April 30th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by bleuefields


	wow what an inspirational story! lol. i am so ready. i hope i can find the balance between art and money. I tend to get caught up on the art end and don't profit. I plan to profit with this though i am so glad i found this forum. It is so fun...well once you understand what everone is talking about. Just woke up from an hour nap. had to let my eyes rest!

Don't be afraid to make money. Even artists make money, albeit usually when they die.

After awhile you'll be multitasking like crazy. I take little naps whereever I can...during meetings at work, while driving to work, when I take kids to movies, or out to dinner with the family.

True, funny story. I was working at my computer on a design and I guess I fell asleep while driving the mouse. My 9 year old yells at me. "Dad you're druelling". Pretty embarassed. I can even fall asleep during the 30 seconds it takes to press a shirt. Not too funn when the timer goes off and the handle comes up and hits you in the chin. Ouch!