Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
I am just starting in the whole t-shirt business and I am in the process of doing my first show.
I am working the county fair and all of my shirts have been screen-printed.
I'm finding out that people are looking more for custom designs or little tweaks to some of my shirts but since they are already printed theres nothing I can do.
I was wondering about investing in a heat transfer machine and laptop and wireless printer all all that to be able to design shirts for people on the spot and print them and press them. Then just buy jackets and shirts and all that so they can have their pick.
Now heres my question.
What exactly is the difference between printing out transfers straight from your computer and pressing them or doing the whole vinyl cutter then pressing that (the vinyl cutter is a mystery to me I dont know anything about it)
Do I have the process wrong or are those just different types of tshirts?
There's two types of transfers that you'd be able to modify on the fly. First are transfers printed with your computer and inkjet printer and heat pressed onto a garment. These are nice because the color combinations are limitless and you can use your favorite graphics editing program to make the images while the customer waits.
The other option is heat press vinyl. This is cut with a vinyl cutter (again, using a graphics program to tell the plotter what to do), the excess is "weeded" out by hand, and then the vinyl transfer is heat pressed onto the garment. This is nice for single or two-color designs with not alot of detail, and creates nice bold solid color on your garments.
Either way would work for on-the-fly heat transferring. The printed transfers are more versatile for what it sounds like you'll need them for.
Why would someone pick the vinyl cutting over the heat press and spend a bunch of money? Especially if you have limitless color choice of the heat press.
you would select heat press vinyl over inkjet transfers because it will last longer, will not feel like a rubber raincoat, will not crack and you can but a couple colors on a garment by overlaying. And finally you can do the vinyl on any color garment. Inkjet transfer that works reasonably well is on white or light paster. I have not found an inkjet transfer for black or dark colors that I am happy with...
JPSS transfer paper for light garments leaves almost no "feel" to the print. Yes, inkjet transfers on darks are a little thicker, but so is heat press vinyl. Vinyl will last longer, however, if applied correctly. Inkjet transfers will begin to fade after 10-15 washes, more if washed and dried cold.
Awesome thank you for the help, this leads me to my next question.
I am looking for a good press and printer to start doing this. I will be doing shows and connecting a laptop to the printer and making the shirts on the spot.
Is the proworld $169 a good deal?
Also I am looking for good quality transfer sheets that won't crack to use on all color shirts and hoodies.
If I recall right the proworld 169 is if you buy 1k of transfers.
As for a heat press you have swing and clam. I have a 15x15 swing and beginning to think I will need bigger down the road.
Not the lightest thing in the world so if you gonna be mobile with it your either need steroids or a good rollin' solution.
Printers are mostly epson's. Ricoh makes some gelsprinters that can do heat transfers too. Thats what I am getting next time. To do bigger transfers you need the bigger printers. More $. Not sure how well they take to being bounced around.
Then you may need a ink bulk system.
As for a cutter. You could do car stickers also. Tho you can do inkjet stickers I think. I can't recall if they are inkjet or laser. You could a small one like the stika line or craft robo just to have one available.
Oh and by no means are you set in using inkjket.You could go laser instead. But those printers are even bigger and bulker. Double the roids to carry that around.
Get a good a pair of scissors too. You'll need to trim the inkjet transfers. However if you can get the small cutters you could cut the transfers with the cutter. I got a craft robo to do that and now its a big expensive paper weight. Never gotten it to do it tho.
Some laser papers don't need to be trimmed. But some have issues with melting to the fusers.
Cheapest inkjet is probably the C120 to get. Limited to 8x11 paper. Small and lightweight.
Epson has clearance and specials on their site so you might find a wide format one at a good price there. Normally refurbished tho.
There's two types of transfers that you'd be able to modify on the fly. First are transfers printed with your computer and inkjet printer and heat pressed onto a garment. These are nice because the color combinations are limitless and you can use your favorite graphics editing program to make the images while the customer waits.
The other option is heat press vinyl. This is cut with a vinyl cutter (again, using a graphics program to tell the plotter what to do), the excess is "weeded" out by hand, and then the vinyl transfer is heat pressed onto the garment. This is nice for single or two-color designs with not alot of detail, and creates nice bold solid color on your garments.
Either way would work for on-the-fly heat transferring. The printed transfers are more versatile for what it sounds like you'll need them for.
you need power and a/c for laptop and printer like epson r1900 with bulk ink system. just print out design and heat press it.
I cannot speak to the quality of the transfers sold by Pro-World. Have never used or seen BUT he sells the Sunie press at that price. I have the Sunie press like he sells and have used it about a year without problems. I bought mine from Sunie.com and have a 3 yr warranty..not sure what the warranty is with Proworld. In any case it is a very good entry level press. Some of the name brands have more bells and whistles. But I have happy with the digital timer/temp controls
As to doing portable, I think handling a CIS system could present problems in leaking. Remember most (of the ones I have seen) are gravity fed so be careful.
I also have a Ricoh GX7000 and use for sublimation but it does NOT have any CIS for it. you can get an extra tray for 11x17
It is my opinion that ALL transfers (except sublimation) will crack and fade over time. Remember the transfer is just that .. a transfer that sits ontop of the material and not part of the material. Also check of the transfer paper you are going to use as some are very sensitive to heat/humidity
Heatpress vs Vinyl cutting for my type 
