Hello guys.
One word of caution for using that chart as a teaching tool, it is not complete and still, many categories are far from accurate. Reading the posts *in* the thread will be a better teacher than reading the chart as the posts correct the chart information, and the posts are from experienced users. The chart was done the best that could be done by a newbie, as Qriz also says himself. I am not even sure how many of the thread updates have been reflected in the chart, so for a learning tool, the forum regular threads, asking questions, and reading the featured threads will still be a more viable path than the chart... for now.
One day that chart will shine
it's just not yet.
Brandon, if you need to use 100% cotton, multiple colors and have fade resistance, then you are in the same boat as alot of the rest of us.
Alot of your choice will be narrowed down by the type of designs you plan to process. Different processes have different limitations with regard to the design they lend themselves to. Here is a thread for you:
What is the Quality of Different T-Shirt Printing Methods? A list in general order.
and another:
Pros and Cons of Each T-Shirt Printing Method
The main choices for you are laser transfers, inkjet heat transfers, vinyl (yes, can be multi colored and layered),
DTG, plastisols, that is, if you don't want to screen.
If you like the idea of plastisols, call around for some samples. Plastisols vary from each other.
Here are some supplies you can sample to see if someone makes a plastisol you do like:
a review of 8 different custom plastisol transfer screen printers - samples followup Where do you buy YOUR custom plastisol transfers? - a list of vendors!
Vinyl can be very soft, some folks report a certain vinyl to feel close to screen printing.
Some folks feel Laser offers a bit more quality than inkjet, BUT, Jetprosofstretch is turning things around and turning heads.
There is a member here, Treadhead/JOhn, who offers screen printing, plastisols, vinyl,
DTG and inkjet heat transfers (
JPSS) to his customers. He seems to have most of the processes in his arsenal, and even owning a
DTG, he says more and more often, he finds himself skipping firing up the
DTG in favor of the
JPSS as he feels this paper is a viable substitute for his
DTG. I thought that was another impressive endorsement for the paper.
Officially, I have
JPSS shirts printed with Durabrite pigment ink that have not faded one bit all year. I do test that product harshly, with many bleach washes, and still, it does not fade. Pictures:
Wow! Jetprosofstretch JPSS & Bleach Results -pictures - Canon Dye ink and Durabrite Pigment ink
Ashamutt is another member here who uses the
JPSS and washes her shirts in bleach and no fading for her, I believe she said her shirts are from February. I know I started with the
JPSS early last December, so some of my shirts are nearing a year. I can't tell which are older or newer, they all held color, none have aged, and that is what I want from the product. It delivers.
For dark shirts, not so much luck. I like Ironall Dark, but batch to batch, there can be QC issues. I bought a cutter and am going to focus on vinyl for dark shirts, but when needed, will use the Ironall Dark or JetWear Dark. Photo type of shirts require laser, inkjet or
DTG when it comes to cotton shirts.
When you use the inkjet process you have to use the correct ink. Your paper choice will help decide which ink you will or can use. Here is that information for you:
Can I use any printer to create transfers?
Dye sub is entirely seperate from inkjet heat transfers. Dye sublimation uses dye sub ink, dye sub papers, and 100% polyester for fabric. Inkjet uses inkjet heat transfer paper, an appropriate ink for the paper (see above link), and 100 cotton to 50/50 cotton/poly blend.
Dye sub adheres to manmade fibers, the polyester.... and Inkjet adheres to the cotton fibers, a mix of no more than 50/50 will work fine. Generally. Good luck to you. Hope this helps continue to get you closer to your goal.
best method using 100% cotton t-shirts HELP =) 
