Jblack™

Hello, i am starting a business doing shirts and other articles of clohting. I have been reading up on this forum about the various methods of printing shirts. It appears i will probably be going to someone to get them done since I dont have the time and skill to print my type of designs, i can only print the simple ones. But then i read about the heat pressing techniques. I am trying to print designs like this:

http://www.verizonwirelessusers.com/...irtPresent.jpg

If i bought a wide format printer like the Epson 1280 (with bulk ink CIS) that uses Pigment ink as well as some good transfers that dont have that "transfer" feel like people were discussing in here, i could print these designs. Around what will the costs per shirt be? Anybody have any websites they can refer me to that sells transfers? Are there any other wide format printers that use pigment ink?

 

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Jblack™

Also is a press like this good enough for non-commercial printing. I plan to only print about... 12 shirts at a time. Probably only 12 shirts a week in some cases.

http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Monkey-Press...QQcmdZViewItem

Is that a good press for light work.

 

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mandy

just my opinion. dont spend money on expensive machines. then you need skilled technicians. even in china i find it exasperating depending on good staff.
best find a cheap printer and ask him for wholesales prices
you sell your ideas, artwork and your shirts -
make sales, get a local printer and let him do it. less risks

 

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mandy

hi. i have 2 of these type - for quick testing colors iin dye sublimation.
ok for transfer prints - small production
are cheap to buy
expensive are the printers - esp wide formats;

 

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Jblack™

SO you think i shouldn't try to do the shirts myself? Im not releaseing my clothing until late next year so i have a lot of time to perfect the technique on test shirts. Is it worth it? Most of the printers i am looking at are charging between 3-6 when i supply the shirts. The price raises almost a dollar to get tags put in but then i decided i would put tagless tags in the neck of the shirt to get rid of that charge.

 

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mandy

blacks, concentrate on your graphics and ideas, be creative and promote them. the printers can do them - cheaper on volume.
you can get him to supply the blank ts or get it from the wholesalers
work out your costings. what is the end user paying u.
i am looking at selling blanks from china to australian wholesalers

 

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Jblack™

The end user will be paying about 26 dollars so i've been looking into high quality tees. I wanted to get from continental clothing becasue i hear theyre good. If you have some high quality tees selling then im more than interested in buying them. Im trying to keep my cost per shirt below 10 dollars. This cost includes the printing, the shirt itself, the packaging (poly pags with sticker attached). The shipping the buyer pays so thats not a problem. I thought heat pressing them myself would bring the Cost Per shirt down but i see what you're saying.

 

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mandy

in australia - u can but blanks for 8 aud - 10 aud. for small volumes
i have someone interested to buy blanks from me FOB shanghai for 4 aud - volume sales [>1000]. your selling at 26 is good profit - no risk. you concentrate in promotions and sales - we expert printers will give you the service -- haha . you can keep your costs below 12 - thats good profits

 

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Jblack™

8 AUD comes out to about 6 USD. So i guess i am getting good prices on shirts. I juse need the quality thats all. Thanks for your help.

 

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Jblack™

The gradient effects i have on teh design in my post... Screenprinters are able to do that? I would think another method would have to be used such as heat pressing? Is that true? Does heat pressing usually cost more when you ge tthe printers to do it?

 

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mandy

gradient effect - is it what we call "toning" = in color depth from strong to light. it is latest trend in latest graphics - vey popular. can be done as dots in screen printing but is perfect using digital sublimation prints - and of course must be heat pressed.

 

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Jblack™

digital sublimation? I'll have to read up on that. I think i might get my shirts professionally done but i still want ot see what heat pressing is like. I might try it just to experience it.

 

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mandy

go visit one printer in melbourne - he may show you.
its easy but demanding skills and patience - my advice above still stand.

 

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T-BOT

Quote: Originally Posted by Jblack™ I thought heat pressing them myself would bring the Cost Per shirt down but i see what you're saying.

The Big PLUS about custom transfers is that Pressing and Stocking your own designs and making the shirts yourself to fill demand as you need is a big PLUS.

NO Cash tied up in Cases of printed shirts sitting around. From your shirt sample good quality plastisol transfers is all you need.

They are not too expensive (plastisol transfers). To get good prices per unit/design Yield/Gang up collections with a few designs on a 12"x18" transfer sheet for example.

..just another way/idea.

__________________
www.T-BOT.net - Happy Holidays Bruno.

 

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Jblack™

Is there a FAQ or tutorial you can point me to that can allow me to get started and find out some more about Plastisol. I've heard the name thrown around reading on this forum but I dont really know much about them. Also some websites where i can purchase them from. What will i need to get to use these transfers?

 

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