Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
hey there, I am a pretty expeirenced screen printer buthaving just set up a new company selling official horror apparel one on my clients requires a more photo realistic look for some of the images, It's of someones face and I have already tried to expose it with my normal mesh/emulsion but cant get the detail, what would be the best transfer paper to use, these would be for sale so I dont want to use anything that will crack/peel or fade after 40 washes! Can anyone recommend a one step full colour process? Also is the plastisol transfer just the same as using the ink?
Thanks for your time, any help is appreciated.
Spence
Several papers work. Iron all, Miracool, transjet ll should all give you great photos on tees. I use Mira cool or Iron All because I like the softer feel. do you have a heat press? Have not had a problem yet and been through many washes. I use opaque Blue grid paper for darks.
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Full color photo transfers/shirts are ideal when someone wants to put the picture of their kid on it for grammy. One off type jobs. I always tell the customer to take extra care in the wash and let them know exactly what they are getting for the price they are paying ($10/shirt retail), and that another way of doing it would be Massive expensive to make 1 shirt (screen print). After the customer knows this, they usually say OK to photo transfers.
As for volume orders, Good quality plastisol transfers is the way to go. Mind you that POOR quality plastisol transfers are worst then photo transfers.
hmmm... good questions. You can find very nice four-color process plastisol transfers (photo of someone). But keep in mind it's expensive to do so. Depending on the quality of transfer you're talking about, there could be up to six screens to pay for.
C, M, Y, K + white backing + clear
How many transfers are you talking about? If you're making under 100, you might want to consider inkjet/laser transfers.
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I use blue grid because they are softer opaque. I sell retail quality I would not use them if I did not think they were the best. I spent time testing several. I tried quite a few but not sure if green grid was one of them, may have been but if it was I passed and I am now pleased with blue grid. I think you should buy several types and try them yourself because you really are the ultimate person other than your clients that needs to be satisfied.
__________________ There is a center to everything.. I found mine at.. www.heatpressessentials.com Tools to get the job done! www.tbiz101.com (New)Heat Transfer Education
thanks i read green grid was better? any idea? We need [an opaque transfer paper] that is retail quality and customers aren't going to be dissapointed with.
From my experience, there is no such thing. Several people have had decent luck with opaque papers, but several others (including myself) have not. I don't think any opaque paper will really give a good, retail quality personally. Opaque paper is also pretty limited -- you have to have a design you can cut right to the edge with no white space in between for it to loo any good at all.
That said, your best bet will likely be to do what lou suggested - try out several and see if they meet your quality standards. The opaque paper I've seen most recommended is from Transfer Technology - and they should send you a free sample page or two to try out if you ask them. I personally didn't like them, but many others do.
Most people suggest some variety of pigmented ink -- these inks won't bleed when washed, like dye-based inks sometimes will. Examples of pigmented inks include Epson's OEM Durabrite inks and the Magic Mix inks from TLM Supply House (which are specifically designed for t-shirt use).
Several papers work. Iron all, Miracool, transjet ll should all give you great photos on tees. I use Mira cool or Iron All because I like the softer feel. do you have a heat press? Have not had a problem yet and been through many washes. I use opaque Blue grid paper for darks.
lou, thanks just watched your youtube videos!, what kind of wash life do these have? I may post the image we need to use so people cn give me their thought?
spence
hmmm... good questions. You can find very nice four-color process plastisol transfers (photo of someone). But keep in mind it's expensive to do so. Depending on the quality of transfer you're talking about, there could be up to six screens to pay for.
C, M, Y, K + white backing + clear
How many transfers are you talking about? If you're making under 100, you might want to consider inkjet/laser transfers.
so with a plastisol transfer i still have to pay for screens? I might as well screen print them myself! the image is of the singer of the metal band cradle of fear, he starred in a horror movie a few years ago and my client (the director) wants the best looking likeness of him, and i dont thnk screen printing is the way to go! we are probably talking 5-10000 shirts!!!!!!! here is the basic image pre photoshopping , what do you guys recommend???
hmmm... good questions. You can find very nice four-color process plastisol transfers (photo of someone). But keep in mind it's expensive to do so. Depending on the quality of transfer you're talking about, there could be up to six screens to pay for.
C, M, Y, K + white backing + clear
How many transfers are you talking about? If you're making under 100, you might want to consider inkjet/laser transfers.
Also is the plastisol transfer just the same as using the ink?
Yes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hollywoodnightma
so with a plastisol transfer i still have to pay for screens? I might as well screen print them myself!
Very much so.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hollywoodnightma
we are probably talking 5-10000 shirts!!!!!!! here is the basic image pre photoshopping , what do you guys recommend???
For that kind of quantity, I'd look into sub-contracting the job to a screenprinter who can do process printing. If nothing else heat transfers aren't as practical as screenprinting for those kind of quantities.
Screen printing v Heat Transfers V plastisol 
