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estage · June 17th, 2008

We have a client who will be attending an event in the fall and wants to be able to create custom t-shirts for those who visit their booth. The idea is for each person to provide their favorite quote/saying and we will put it on a shirt for them.

I am new to this industry and am looking for any advice or guidance you experienced folk may be able to provide.

The event is in Long Beach, CA and is 2 days with an expected attendance of 12,000. Any suggestions for the amount of shirts we could produce per hour?

My initial research has told me that I may be able to purchase a heat press for a few hundred, but given the volume we'd like to be able to produce, would most likely need a machine that retails for a few thousand. Does this sound correct? Any suggestions on where I may be able to find a good deal on a machine?

Ideally we'd like to rent a heat press for the 2 days, but from what I have gathered from this website, it does not sound like heat presses are rented. Does anyone know otherwise?

Our plan is to enter the quote into a computer and print out on-site, then heat press to the t-shirt. Any better suggestions for getting the quotes on a shirt? Any advice on printers, transfer paper, t-shirts, etc?

I appreciate any information you have to offer. Thanks!

Progeny · June 17th, 2008

To do individual phrases then it would have to be transfers or better still vinyl, but you would need a cutter instead of a printer for that.

Transfers would have to be the size of the transfer paper, i think it would take too long to print them and then cut them to size/shape.

I would use vinyl and a cutter.

I know of places in the UK that rent out heat presses, but sorry don't know any across the pond.

Lee

COEDS · June 17th, 2008

I would suggest you get a name brand press (hix hotronix mighty press etc.) stay away from the bargin Ebay press'. I would get a decent vinyl cutter. If I were you I would contact Heat Applied transfer vinyl for t-shirt applications for your vinyl needs. Roger also sells vinyl cutters. ..... JB

cruisertoy · June 17th, 2008

I just bought a cheap press, and am still in the testing phase with it. I would have to agree with COEDS in your situation in that it would not be worth risking the success of your 2 day event if for some reason a cheap press failed. You need reliability right out of the box without the risk. A cutter and press would work out well for you. Several places sell them in discounted packages.

You might even consider checking around for a local t-shirt shop owner or someone off the forum that is just getting started but already has the equipment to bring in a press and cutter and run that side of your promotion for you. Just work out a per shirt cost.

Leatherneck · June 17th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by COEDS


	I would suggest you get a name brand press (hix hotronix mighty press etc.) stay away from the bargin Ebay press'. I would get a decent vinyl cutter. If I were you I would contact Heat Applied transfer vinyl for t-shirt applications for your vinyl needs. Roger also sells vinyl cutters. ..... JB

Using a cutter and vinyl would be a better idea in my book. Cutting out each printed transfer would take far to long and IMO would not be a very good idea. As far as presses I could not agree with JB more. You always want to get a name brand press such as mighty press, hotronix or hix

estage · June 17th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leatherneck


	Using a cutter and vinyl would be a better idea in my book. Cutting out each printed transfer would take far to long and IMO would not be a very good idea. As far as presses I could not agree with JB more. You always want to get a name brand press such as mighty press, hotronix or hix

What other options would you suggest if not a cutter? Is my only other option a standard transfer paper? I was told transfer paper would not look that great with just text - that there would be a noticeable box around the text from the transfer paper, even if placed on a white t-shirt. Would you agree? If so, do you have any suggestions for overcoming this obstacle?

Progeny · June 17th, 2008

There is no real way round this unless you did have a cutter to trim around the printed design, but then you may as well do vinyl! Transfer paper is not the best option by far and other transfer methods where just the print is transfered to the garment would take too long and be too expensive.

You could try to get a DTG printer or use a sublimation printer on white polyester t-shirts (only works on white polester really)

Lee

stuffnthingz · June 17th, 2008

you could go with an 8 1/2 x 11 laser printer (Oki), Duracotton HT(weedless paper for lights) and white T-shirts. I think this would be even faster than vinyl. You would have a laptop there with the art program sitting open ready to type in their quote in your premade layout/font etc, size it and print. Perhaps other Oki Laser/Duracotton people can confirm, but I find my setup is highly efficient.

You still have alot of opportunity for problems along the way, so to be sure you can sustain an event like this I would suggest two of everything.

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Need advice on printing several hundred personalized quotes on shirts at 2 day event