clay525

Hi all!! I am very new to this and am still researching the equipment I need to buy. I have done ALOT of reading on this site and I think I am leaning towards heat transfer method using inkjet printing. I have read many great things about the Epson 1400 and I believe that is what I will go with. My first question is I about dye sub? I get a little confused when reading threads and am not sure of the difference (if there is one) between dye sub and heat transfer. Some threads talk like pigment inks are for heat transfer but is that the same as dye sub? Also, can this method be used to also print on dark fabrics? I would like to be able to print on light and dark and be able to use the same set up. Can I do this and only have to use a special type of paper for dark shirts? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am trying to make sure I don't waste money and get the right equipment the first time. THANKS SO MUCH IN ADVANCE

 

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Pwear

Dye sublimation produces very soft, almost "unfeelable" prints. It uses a transfer paper specific to dye sub. The ink, as well, is specific to dye sublimation. This can only be used (as far as I know) on white or light garments.

Inkjet transfers use inkjet transfer paper, and either dye ink (not dye-sub ink) or pigment ink, depending on the paper. They can be applied to dark AND white shirts using specific transfer paper for lights and specific transfer paper for darks. Inkjet transfers for lights have progressed to a very nice, light print quality as well (check out jpss paper), but transfers for darks are still a bit thick on the shirt. You can use the same ink for lights and darks, given that the papers you use both accept the same type of ink. In my own experience, pigment ink for inkjet transfers works great and seems to last a bit longer than dye ink. I actually use a 1400 with a pigment CIS setup for my transfers.

EDIT: I believe that certain Epson models, like the 4880, can do pigment/dye AND dye sub printing. You'd have to do more research, I don't know much about it.

 

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clay525

Thank you very much Aaron! I am still in the learning process and am glad to hear this. Do you have a recommendation on a heat press? I read alot about going with a name brand but the price range is huge even within these brands. What do the $1000 presses do that a $300 press of the same brand won't do? Also, do you have any suggestions on sites to buy T's from? Thanks again to anyone who chimes in

Also, with this pigment ink, I have read that I will need to modify the printer? What does this consist of?

 

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mrdavid

Name brand press will last longer and have better warantee and have all the bells and whistle so it makes it easyer to use.

The lower price press will work but then you dont have all the bells and whistle that could help you ..

Now if you cant spend lot then look at some used name brand I got mine from Ebay and spent little over $300.00 for 16x20.

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tertlini

It's recommended to use sublimation ink for printing on fabric (see inksystem.com)

 

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mdniaz

One thing to consider, dye sub transfers only work with 100% polyester; or, if you want to press on mugs etc. that have polyester coating on it. Dye subs dry out very fast if you don't use it for a while; and, very expensive to buy compared to pigment ink. So, you actually need to know your market as well, do you want to print on polyester or not. If your market is a regular cotton one, you don't need dye sub transfers. Or, if you do only small amount of polyester, use a small printer for dye sub and a large one for regular cotton....

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