Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Thanks so much for this site, it has helped me out alot. I have decided to going for the heat press option! That saying, i really need to know what equipment i need to start things off. I know that u need a heat press, and have looked into some, but what are some good ones?? also which is a good epson printer?? transfer paper? etc?
1. Mighty press. 15 x 15 Coastal Business $600-$650
2. Epson c88+ Ultra Durabright Inks $80
3.Epson 1280 $300 but you should get bulk ink with Pigment ink
4. paper Lights Iron All, http://www.newmilfordphoto.com
5. paper darks Blue grid Opaque 100 sheets $80 - $125.00
__________________ 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
In addition to what badalou listed (good summary, by the way), don't forget a few of the 'accesories' that may or may not come with your heat press to begin with - especially a teflon pad (to cover the bottom of the press) and a teflon sheet (in case you need it for printing on the same shirt more than once, doing vinyl, etc.).
Also note that you may not need both printers Lou listed; you can get started with a regular sized printer printing on 8.5x11 paper well enough, depending on what designs you'll be printing.
I know that u need a heat press, and have looked into some, but what are some good ones??
The Mighty Press 15 x 15 is definitely a good option. You might also consider other presses with different features like interchangeable platens (Mighty Press 16 x 20), or a digital time & temperature press, or even a swing away or draw style for a heat free work environment, auto opening feature, one with a programmable pressure, programmable turn on/off feature. Depending on what your needs are, there are many different options. What type of applications will you be doing? Size of design? More than just tees?
The Mighty Press 15 x 15 is definitely a good option. You might also consider other presses with different features like interchangeable platens (Mighty Press 16 x 20), or a digital time & temperature press, or even a swing away or draw style for a heat free work environment, auto opening feature, one with a programmable pressure, programmable turn on/off feature. Depending on what your needs are, there are many different options. What type of applications will you be doing? Size of design? More than just tees?
I will be doing baby tees, singlets, bodysuits, with slogans. So the they will be small prints and t-shirts!
The usual reason; most members prefer inkjet printers for heat transfers.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think good, color laser printers are also usually a fair bit more expensie than inkjet as well?
Quote:
Originally Posted by purpledotz
btw, what is the determining factor of the quality for a t-shirt printing? the printer itself? paper? or the heat press machine?
Everything along the line affects the quality of the final product. This includes the digital design, the printer, the inks, the paper, how the paper is cut, the shirt, the heat press, and how you press (time/temp/pressure).
The press itself usually shouldn't make a huge difference as far as quality goes, but if you have a bad or broken press it will - if it doesn't press evenly, then you're going to have inconsistent or subpar results.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think good, color laser printers are also usually a fair bit more expensie than inkjet as well?
Yeah, at an estimate a colour laser is about four times as much (which isn't actually a lot of money since printers have gotten so cheap). I believe the cost per print is actually lower.
Yeah, at an estimate a colour laser is about four times as much (which isn't actually a lot of money since printers have gotten so cheap). I believe the cost per print is actually lower.
With laser printers the quality is not as good as an inkjet.
I do not know how this would look on a transfer paper etc. But on regular paper (say printing a presentation) the inkjet will be much better quality.
Ink jets spray ink on the paper vs a laser which fuses or burns the toner on the paper. One reason why ink jet is more expensive to print because so much ink is used and laser printing is cheaper because no ink is used.
With all of this I would also like to ask what, if any, is required for a printer to use for heat transfers? Or will any printer do? What should I look for when shopping for a printer. I have seen a few of the printers on the sponsors websites and what has been recommended, but what makes them special? Is there a specific printer for this type of printing.
With laser printers the quality is not as good as an inkjet.
I do not know how this would look on a transfer paper etc. But on regular paper (say printing a presentation) the inkjet will be much better quality.
While I haven't kept up with printer technology, I know that never used to be true, and I doubt it's true now. It's certainly still not when I've compared the results of an average laser with an average inkjet (the laser printer has a much better resolution - very obvious when printing text for example).
Transfers are a different ballgame, since things like available paper types come into play.
start up equipment?? 
Re: start up equipment?? 
