Discuss the many aspects of plastisol (screen printed) heat transfers. Topics include where to buy, how to put them on t-shirts, quality, pictures, stock (pre printed) transfers and more. Read the definition of a plastisol transfer here.
Been reading this forum for a while, made a few posts here and there, after several months finally doing my first order! It's small but that's OK in case I screw it up it won't cost me too much. Someone at the place I work at needed some shirts for his wife's cleaning business, so I designed a logo for free and am selling him the shirts at fairly close to what they're costing me, just for the experience and hopefully good word of mouth. I got the shirts from SanMar and the transfers from Versatrans. Hopefully they'll all get here in a few days and with luck the pressing will go well. Will report back, thanks again to everyone who posts here for all the helpful info!!
Been reading this forum for a while, made a few posts here and there, after several months finally doing my first order! It's small but that's OK in case I screw it up it won't cost me too much. Someone at the place I work at needed some shirts for his wife's cleaning business, so I designed a logo for free and am selling him the shirts at fairly close to what they're costing me, just for the experience and hopefully good word of mouth. I got the shirts from SanMar and the transfers from Versatrans. Hopefully they'll all get here in a few days and with luck the pressing will go well. Will report back, thanks again to everyone who posts here for all the helpful info!!
I wish you good fortune. Don't lose sleep re Sanmar. They are great re shipping, etc. Just log on to your account with them and see which distribution point they are shipping from and you have have a tracking number etc. I am not familiar with Versatrans. (Nothing meant good or bad there, just don't know them).
One thing is don't get into the trap of working practically for free very often, because people they might tell will expect those prices and the people you offer that price to will expect it every time.
People want to help out their friends, but it's your friends that should be helping you, since you were the one to put all the time and money behind this.
One thing is don't get into the trap of working practically for free very often, because people they might tell will expect those prices and the people you offer that price to will expect it every time.
People want to help out their friends, but it's your friends that should be helping you, since you were the one to put all the time and money behind this.
I agree totally here. perceived value is important. Why would you not want to be paid what you are worth.
I help friends alot as well but do make a profit! it is why you do what you do..
I agree 100% about not being too generous with friends - I'll certainly give them a break but of course my time is valuable as well. Since this was my very first order ever and it's a small one I'm cutting it close to the profit line since it's also a learning experience for me.
I agree 100% about not being too generous with friends - I'll certainly give them a break but of course my time is valuable as well. Since this was my very first order ever and it's a small one I'm cutting it close to the profit line since it's also a learning experience for me.
Tufflaw,
Thanks, Yeah I am just the jack of all trades, master of none in our little business. We started it about 6 years ago when a vendor screwed us on some uniforms we ordered for one of our fastpitch teams. My brother and I decided that we could at least give good customer service at a fair price for team and tourney apparel. So far we have been right.
Meant my earlier comment as encouragement. For advice re: Screen Printing et al. Their are probably 100 other people on this forum that would give more knowledgeable comments.
Out of curiosity. Let me know via PM how it works out for you'll on the order.
Good luck, Tufflaw, with your first job. I hear if you have any issues getting the transfers on and need to experiment with time and temp a little that cutting one transfer up for testing is an efficient way to do it. Though from what Colorfast/Chip says, it sounds like there shouldn't be any issue at all, but each press can run a little differently. Best wishes with your job! Hope the shirts come out great.
__________________ Please ask Q's in the threads as I may not see your PM. A many wonderful folk will be willing to help you. Apologies to those not answered, as I sign on sporadically these days. Thx 4 undrstnding. Have a great day.
I'd like to hear the details on how your order with Versatrans went. I don't use them because they are so expensive but they are nice folks over the phone and they advertise being very fast. One day turnaround I think.
I'd like to hear the details on how your order with Versatrans went. I don't use them because they are so expensive but they are nice folks over the phone and they advertise being very fast. One day turnaround I think.
I got my shirts from SanMar yesterday, I think that was a 2 day turnaround, very nice! Shirts look great too.
I approved the artwork on 6/30 with Versatrans, so I'll let you know when the transfers arrive - I didn't pay for the 1 day shipping so it's UPS ground I believe. The folks at Versatrans have been extremely nice and patient with me as well.
I thought their prices were about in line with most other companies, who do you normally use?
I got my shirts from SanMar yesterday, I think that was a 2 day turnaround, very nice! Shirts look great too.
I approved the artwork on 6/30 with Versatrans, so I'll let you know when the transfers arrive - I didn't pay for the 1 day shipping so it's UPS ground I believe. The folks at Versatrans have been extremely nice and patient with me as well.
I thought their prices were about in line with most other companies, who do you normally use?
The job I did was ganged 3 images per sheet. The cost was very reasonable. I have tested some F&M transfers. I like the 1 and 2 color prints (SPOT) and they offer a variety of sheet sizes. I intend on using them in the future depending on the size of the design.
As of now Versatrans and F&M would be my first 2 options. Versatrans customer service was excellent.
As I said, I got the shirts from Sanmar quickly and they looked great, and about an hour ago I got the transfers from Versatrans. I was getting a little worried because I never got a tracking number, but they're here now. I approved the artwork on 6/30, according to the tracking number on the delivery box they were shipped 7/1, and arrived today 7/3. They looked fantastic, and there was an extra transfer included at no charge which was great because I wanted to test it out first. So like a little dork I took a bunch of pictures
Here's the shirts and transfers:
Since there was an extra transfer, I tested it out first on one of my old shirts:
And here's what's left on the transfer:
Then I went to work and did the real shirts:
Here's a closeup of the detail:
All done:
Thanks so much to everyone on this site, I definitely couldn't have done it without this board. This is the first time I really created something from nothing, and it's very cool!
Last edited by Girlzndollz; July 3rd, 2009 at 06:29 PM.
Reason: Added media tags to thumbnail images to prevent side scrolling. =)
Wish me luck - first order! 
Re: Wish me luck - first order! 
it is why you do what you do..
