Discuss the different brands, makes and models of printers used to print inkjet and laser heat transfers. Also includes information on the inks that can be used to make your own transfers.
Can anybody give me some info on a heat transfer printer that will print transfers that will work on dark shirts, as well as having a really good quality print? I already have a dtg printer and a heat press, but I would like to get a nice heat transfer printer. Also, what is the best transfer paper to use with the printer. Any help would be much appreciated.
Oh, does anyone have some pictures of heat transfers that they have made with their printers?
Any Epson with pigment ink will work for you. Transfer paper for dark would include Alpha Gold and Everlast. You can do a search here on the forum on those names for more info.
Thanks for the info. Can you suggest a good Epson Pigment ink printer? When I've gone to order Heat Transfers from companies, is this the same process that they are using? Thanks again.
The process for the stock designs is not the same as transfer paper. Designs, such as those shown our website, are either screen printed, offset printed, or a combination.
__________________ www.proworldinc.com - AMAZING $99 15x15 Heat Press Special. Exclusive 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee.1000's of Stock Transfer designs. Custom Transfers...plastisol and rhinestone.
What you order from heat transfer companies are designs already on the paper, or just blank transfer paper?
If you are ordering designs, then no, it's not the same. Depending on what you are ordering, it could be plastisol transfers, or digital transfers. But you won't be able to duplicate it with an inkjet printer.
Otherwise, a lot of posters use the based Epson C88 or C120. When it's available, it's less than $100 on Epson - Exceed Your Vision
We're using an Epson C88+ and like the results of the pigment ink. The only complaint is we like to use Stahls InkTra transfer paper but the surface has "dust" or something that causes the C88+ difficulty in loading. About every third sheet I have to wipe the rubber wheel that picks up the paper with wet paper towel then feed 5 regular paper sheets through. We tried many kinds of transfer papers and Stahls is definitely the best we found for durability and image quality.
The C88+ goes through ink very fast making full color 200 dpi transfers. I bought the refill kit and chip resetter from RJet-Tek and they work good.
I would say Epson printers would be your best bet if you want to work on transfer papers as most of the members here in the forums are using. I would invest in R1400 since it replaces the R1800, a bulk system if you would be doing bulk orders, it would definitely save you more that buying cartridges. As with transfer paper, you would fine tons of informations here in forums, different people, different suggestions, different experiences. I personally use JPSS papers. Hope this help you with choosing your main equipment which is the printer.
Great Thread everyone, My wife and I just recently purchased a Heat Transfer and have so farbeen doing the majority of our orders through Transfer Express. I'm just looking at other options to try and increase our business, and one of these is printing our own designs.
I see I have much more reading to do, but this thread is a step in the right direction for my investigations.
Can anyone provide more information, or suggestions as to what to look for/at in terms of creating and printing our own transfers.
Heat Transfer Printer 
