Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
I am fairly new to this business (6 mos) and have screen printing operation, but always looking for additional opportunities. I am ignorant regarding transfer pressing, but would like to join in on the fun!
I have two chief questions for now:
Is there much of a difference in appearance from shirt done w/ plastisol transfer vs shirt screen printed? I was thinking of 1) making my own transfers and storing for later imprinting and/or 2) just order from supply house like First Edition and let them do all the dirty work. Ha
If I wanted to do 1-2 maybe 3 shirts for a customer from time to time, what would be best method - provided I had a heat press(and scars to go with it)? Invest in a printer and print myself, order plastisol transfer, order ink transfer from outside vendor, or just contact out to someone to do the shirt.
I really hate to turn customers away and I would normally prefer to do everything myself (within reason!) I'm also trying to figure out a way to justify the purchase of a plotter/cutter.
Thanks in advance for your insight. This board is awesome!
you know, there are a lot of screen printers like yourself that make plastisol transfer, so i dont think it would be beyond reach for you too since you already do screen print.
Yes, I've read the union ink article on making transfers...heh looks like a whole new craft to learn. Pleased to hear there is not much difference in transfer vs actual screening...appearance wise...so now I can pursue a hot press!
For many of my designs it would be great to run off a few dozen transfers and store on a shelf until needed (like the pizza box idea from another thread). If they don't sell, no big deal.
How long will plastisol transfers keep?
I'm also still intrigued with the possibility of electronically printing my transfers with printer as many of you do. Is it as easy as it sounds?
Looking forward to going to the show in Long Beach to see & touch!
if you are just wanting to do a few designs in basic colors like black, white red etc... just ask your transfer maker to squeeze in your job when they run big size 25x38 sheets... sometimes they wish they had a few add-on jobs. you get dynomite prices etc... just a little tip. Something you may not learn about at a trade show.
I think I will next start researching a purchase of a heat press, whether to do my own plastisol transfers or custom ordered... as think it will improve my capabilities and hopefully productivity too!
I really hate to turn customers away and I would normally prefer to do everything myself (within reason!) I'm also trying to figure out a way to justify the purchase of a plotter/cutter.
Vinyl excels in one area more than others: the ability to produce dark-colored shirts in small runs. Great for customizing names on athletic apparel, or any sort of 1-3 color custom stuff on dark shirts. So if you're looking for more opitons when printing on a few shirts at a time, a vinyl cutter may be beneficial =)
Quote:
Originally Posted by shirt-maker
I'm also still intrigued with the possibility of electronically printing my transfers with printer as many of you do. Is it as easy as it sounds?
Basically, yes. There are some nuances to make the best quality, however - getting different ink, trimming the transfer out, etc.
Plastisol Transfer Quality 
Re: Plastisol Transfer Quality 
you get dynomite prices etc... just a little tip. Something you may not learn about at a trade show. 
