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MRF2009 · February 11th, 2009

Greetings!

As somebody new to the T-Shirt making family, I have a few questions that will probably sound tiresome, but please bear with me.

I'm interested in leaning everything I can about making Ink Jet Heat Transfers, I hear the method sometimes doesn't produce the most durable kinds of shirts, but I was hoping with your guys help I could learn what are the best products to avoid the fading and cracking of the prints. I would like to be able to make shirts of all colors, but I know I need different kinds of paper; from what I read in other posts, the best paper for light shirts is Jet-Pro SoftStretch. What about for dark shirts? Should I use the Jet-Opaque transfer paper?
What about the shirts themselves, what is the common consensus of best quality (and good price) in the blank shirt industry?

I just bought an Epson 1400 and I wanted to buy one of those continuous ink supply systems, has anybody tried this brand:
Home

I'm also seriously thinking about buying their Heat Press, any opinions?
Home

I'll appreciate any help or suggestions!
Mike.

Girlzndollz · February 13th, 2009

Hey Mike...

. Thought I'd take a look at the thread and answer here in case others have your same question, then more folks can benefit as well...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRF2009


	Greetings! As somebody new to the T-Shirt making family, I have a few questions that will probably sound tiresome, but please bear with me.

Never a problem... sometimes a question just gets overlooked...

Quote:


	I'm interested in leaning everything I can about making Ink Jet Heat Transfers, I hear the method sometimes doesn't produce the most durable kinds of shirts, but I was hoping with your guys help I could learn what are the best products to avoid the fading and cracking of the prints.

This is true... here is a post that includes some information, tips, and step by step instructions, to help get a great finished product:

transfer paper tips for lasting image

Quote:


	I would like to be able to make shirts of all colors, but I know I need different kinds of paper; from what I read in other posts, the best paper for light shirts is Jet-Pro SoftStretch. What about for dark shirts? Should I use the Jet-Opaque transfer paper?

Some folks like the JetOPAQUE, that paper is also known as JetWear Dark and Alpha Gold for darks - so when you see feedback for those papers that is also feedback for the JetOPAQUE.

I haven't tried the JetOpaque, I use Ironall for Darks.

What I've learned on the forum about those two papers for those who have used both is this:

Ironall Dark is favored for being a bit thinner, therefore less plasticky.. (has a lighter hand, feel on the shirt) but that JetOpaque is favored by some because they feel it has better color retention than the Ironall Dark. They trade a little thinness for better colorfastness.

The best thing to do is to buy sample packs and try them out, see which one you like better. Some people don't like either! They just skip dark papers for dark shirts and use plastisols, vinyl or some other method.

Quote:


	What about the shirts themselves, what is the common consensus of best quality (and good price) in the blank shirt industry?

I asked this question once, and the answers were all over the board. In the end, I bought a bunch of sample shirts wholesale, 100% cottons, 50/50 blends, from about 56 different brands. I pressed them all, and washed them all.. and the results were all over the place... that's right. Using the same paper, ink and press the results were pretty inconsistent... because of the shirt. I found a shirt I liked the best.. it was a 50/50 shirt.. I found the 100% preshrunk cottons had a tendency to still shrink even still and sometimes, it really brought a shirt down...

The best thing to do? Find a variety of shirts in your price point.. the ones that you think you will use for your customers.. and test them out.

The shirt, paper and ink will each make as big a difference as the other in the finished product.

Through my wash testing, I learned to fear what may come out of the washer. Everything looked *great* going into the washer... I bit my nails before pulling them out... wash tests are priceless. No product should be sold without them.

Quote:


	I just bought an Epson 1400 and I wanted to buy one of those continuous ink supply systems, has anybody tried this brand: Home

I have one of these. I am going with re-fill carts tho. I am not familiar with that supplier... which doesn't mean anything except I haven't heard of them. Maybe someone else has.

Good ink suppliers that I have heard about on the forums are inkjetcarts.us, shopdyesub.com, and inkjetfly.com. Maybe you might want to check them out, along with this other supplier.

Quote:


	I'm also seriously thinking about buying their Heat Press, any opinions? Home

Again, not familiar with, but another good press in that range is the Sunie. I haven't heard of the press in your link, but have heard good things on the Sunie on the forum, here is a link:

Sunie / Seiki / Transpro Press Owners: Are you happy with your press, would you buy it again? Yes or No. Thx =)

Hope this info helps, if you have any more questions, just ask. =)

MRF2009 · February 14th, 2009

Thanks for your help Kelly, I really appreciate it!

I'm still struggling to make a decision on the Heat Press, my better judgment is telling me to buy a known brand, but my pocket is telling me otherwise. The eBay guy is giving me a pretty good deal, but I just can't find any info on that company (I really don't want to make a bad purchase!). Well, I'll make my decision by Monday, so if you do hear anything about them please let me know

I currently run a company that takes actors to sci-fi and horror conventions across the country, that's the main reason why I'm trying to learn the techniques and the right products, so all we can make unique high-quality shirts with the actor's likeness on them and then sell them to the fans.

If I may, can I ask you where do you buy your blank shirts, and how much is a good price for them?

Thanks again!
Mike.

proworlded · February 14th, 2009

Mike. Regarding the heat press, you don't have to spend a lot of money for a quality machine but make sure you purchase from a reputable company who offers a good warranty and a satisfaction guarantee period.

Girlzndollz · February 14th, 2009

I buy my blanks from Alpha Shirts. We can do customer pick up, since my Hub passes that way. If you sign up, which is very easy with Alpha, you can see the wholesale prices. Alpha Shirt is part of the Alpha/Broder Brothers/NES group, once you sign up, you can buy from all of them. I only signed up with Alpha, but get emails from all three... one of the good things about Alpha (and company) is they have locations all over the States. My location will give me case pricing just for asking for it, even on a $30 order, I just have to phone it in...

Take a look at the Sunie thread I gave you if money is a concern. The Sunie comes with a 3 year warranty. If I was in the market for a 15x15, I would most likely buy the Sunie, and I currently have a Stahl's Mighty Press.

Have you thought about having someone DTG the shirts for you? Save yourself the time and expense, and let you keep focused on your other business? Just a thought, as DTG can handle photo images....

InspiredImp · February 17th, 2009

Quote:


	I just bought an Epson 1400 and I wanted to buy one of those continuous ink supply systems, has anybody tried this brand: Home I'm also seriously thinking about buying their Heat Press, any opinions? Home

Hi Mike,
I have used the heat press and the CIS from this supplier.
The CIS was owned by the previous owner of my company, so I don't have it now for any testing. But, here is what I've seen from it and heard from the guy who still owns it.
The system works well, very easy, but you MUST refill it with the vials in the printer. If you remove them for each refill you will dramatically shorten the life of your printer and CIS. To get good colour, always print from Photoshop. We had terrible results printing from Corel. So if you are going to design in Corel, export as EPS and Photoshop will be able to open it with high quality.

For the heat press. The same guy owned a press from ASC365. He was happy with it. I never had any problems with it, so I bought the newer version: July 2008. I have been happy with it. The only thing I don't like is the lack of pressure sensor. So I can't set the pressure, I have to guess.
It is easy to program and has some electrical safety features according to your available electric supply. And the timer works automatically which is a feature I really appreciate.

This guy does in house repairs and provides you with a warranty on all his products.

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