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Ticklemonster · October 13th, 2009

I am a stay at home mom looking to start a little t-shirt buisness from home. I need to know the best heat transfer paper to use and any other equipment that would be helpful. Each t-shirt I will make is custom and I am planning on about 30 a week. Any suggestions would be GREAT! Thanks so much for taking the time!

baddjun1 · October 13th, 2009

Jetpro softstretch (JPSS) and ImageClip transfer papers for lite color shirts. Jet Opaque for darks. Check T-Shirt Suplies, ProWorld Inc. Alpha Supplies in the preferred vendors links on the forum.
A reliable heat press, preferrable 15 X 15 size, again check the preferred vendors for deals.
A contoured cutter for weeding the transfer papers around the image. Not a top priority.
An inexpensive inkjet printer outfitted with a bulk ink system, the Epson Workforce 1100, one of the newest, cheapest pigment ink printers.

Girlzndollz · October 13th, 2009

Quick and dirty list:
*Light paper = Jetprosofstretch
*Dark paper -= IYA Jetwear Dark/Ironall Dark/Clearsoft Dark (there are more names, too. Search the forum for "ironall names" and the threads for light and dark will come up.
*Epson printer, 4 colors, from Epson.com clearance section.
Refill carts from Inkjetcarts.us
*Heat Press - I own a Mighty Press 11x15, but to do it again, would start with a Sunie/Seiki/TransPro heat press at 15x15 for less than I paid. (Do a forum search for "sunie owner poll" for a thread from current owners and their personal hands on feedback.)
*Telfon sheet
*Parchment paper
*Sticky roller for removing lint.
*Fabric pigment markers for tiny boo-boos that can be saved without starting over... ie: pinholes.
*Optional but necessary if you do not want to use scissors or exacto knife to trim designs = a "contour cutting" cutter.

If I can think of anything, I'll add it. Best wishes, and good luck!

proworlded · October 13th, 2009

Welcome to the forum. Good luck with your new venture.

Cjoe Design · October 13th, 2009

Never overlook the little things!
Good call Kelly, I went over a year before someone told me to use a lint roller to get rid of the tiny blue dots. Lint Roller, Lint Roller, Lint Roller!!!

I recommend the Epson 1400 printer. They have come way down in price and you can do up to 13X19 prints. I have 2 of them and they work great. They are the newer version of the 1280 which I also have had for about 7 years and still runs great for my son.

muneca · October 13th, 2009

Hi,

Welcome to the forum and good luck to you!

Optiq · October 13th, 2009

Don't let "just starting out" prevent you from charging what you need to charge. People will use whatever excuse you allow them to use to not pay you what you need to make. go big, charge what you need.

Girlzndollz · October 13th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cjoe Design


	Never overlook the little things! Good call Kelly, I went over a year before someone told me to use a lint roller to get rid of the tiny blue dots. Lint Roller, Lint Roller, Lint Roller!!!

Thanks! It took me time, too, to find the lint roller. Was darn sick of those little blue dots and fibers. That lint comes out of nowhere. Shirt looks good, press, and it all shows up... not anymore. Lint roller is a life saver for a nice clean image when doing lights. Love the lint roller.

Quote:


	I recommend the Epson 1400 printer. They have come way down in price and you can do up to 13X19 prints. I have 2 of them and they work great.

+1, for a great large format printer, I like this one, too. I have one. I've also had no trouble with the Claria ink and JPSS. No bleeds, no fading. It was $143 at Epson.com in clearance.

GHEENEE1 · October 14th, 2009

Tickle, If you need to do text or other designs, a vinyl cutter with contour cutting capability and Magic mask or similar, to lift the image will look much better. The search function in this forum answered the million questions I have. Good luck, Mike

guel8 · October 14th, 2009

Very good information in here.

Ticklemonster · October 14th, 2009

Super super HELPFUL~ THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Girlzndollz


	Quick and dirty list: Light paper = Jetprosofstretch Dark paper -= IYA Jetwear Dark/Ironall Dark/Clearsoft Dark (there are more names, too. Search the forum for "ironall names" and the threads for light and dark will come up. Epson printer, 4 colors, from Epson.com clearance section. Refill carts from Inkjetcarts.us Heat Press - I own a Mighty Press 11x15, but to do it again, would start with a Sunie/Seiki/TransPro heat press at 15x15 for less than I paid. (Do a forum search for "sunie owner poll" for a thread from current owners and their personal hands on feedback.) Telfon sheet Parchment paper Sticky roller for removing lint. Fabric pigment markers for tiny boo-boos that can be saved without starting over... ie: pinholes. *Optional but necessary if you do not want to use scissors or exacto knife to trim designs = a "contour cutting" cutter. If I can think of anything, I'll add it. Best wishes, and good luck!

Ticklemonster · October 14th, 2009

What does everyone prefer...Ink Jet Printers or Laser?

THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT ADVICE! THE MORE I CAN GET THE BETTER I WILL BE!!

Girlzndollz · October 14th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ticklemonster


	What does everyone prefer...Ink Jet Printers or Laser?

That's a great question that comes up. Here is a link to a few existing threads on the topic, loaded down with the good and the not so good...

T-Shirt Forums Search Results

Quote:


	THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT ADVICE! THE MORE I CAN GET THE BETTER I WILL BE!!

Forgot something!! Mousepad material!

Raises the imprint area above the seams, to ensure good contact between the upper and lower platens and full pressure.

I like this mouse pad material by Conde. Look for ITEM M003.

You get 4.5 feet by 3 feet of 1/4" mousepad material for under $16. You can cut it to absolutely any custom size or shape that you need.

Mousepads for Sublimation Imprinting - DyeTrans.com

It's the best deal I've seen out there. Best wishes.

BigBear · October 14th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ticklemonster


	I am a stay at home mom looking to start a little t-shirt buisness from home. I need to know the best heat transfer paper to use and any other equipment that would be helpful. Each t-shirt I will make is custom and I am planning on about 30 a week. Any suggestions would be GREAT! Thanks so much for taking the time!

Welcome! You have already received some excellent advice. I won't repeat what has already been said. Here are additional thoughts.

Once you get past the initial rush and your brain stops spinning, stop, take a deep breath and really think about what you want to do. Think about what is practical, to start with. Think about who you are going to sell to and what they might want.

As these pictures become clearer, what you need to initially get, will become clearer.

In business planning, accurate answers are not that difficult to find. The real task is making sure you are asking yourself the right questions.

This business is fun and exciting but it is a business, even if it is part time. I constantly counsel clients to almost ignore what a piece of equipment can do, in favor of making sure it does what they need it to do.

Sorry to just talk about business, but good planning builds success as much as good equipment.

Hope I helped a bit. Good Luck!!

Ticklemonster · October 14th, 2009

Super Helpful! Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Girlzndollz


	That's a great question that comes up. Here is a link to a few existing threads on the topic, loaded down with the good and the not so good... T-Shirt Forums Search Results Forgot something!! Mousepad material! Raises the imprint area above the seams, to ensure good contact between the upper and lower platens and full pressure. I like this mouse pad material by Conde. Look for ITEM M003. You get 4.5 feet by 3 feet of 1/4" mousepad material for under $16. You can cut it to absolutely any custom size or shape that you need. Mousepads for Sublimation Imprinting - DyeTrans.com It's the best deal I've seen out there. Best wishes.

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Stay at home Mom - Needs your help! - what is the best transfer paper to use and what equipment do I need to get started?