Hello, I just recently became interested in T-Shirt designing and production, and I've searched this site quite a bit, read most of the FAQ's, but I'm still confused whether I want to heat press or print press. My idea is to design quite a few t-shirts with simple, but creative designs, and to produce a lot of them. I think I want to get into printing, but tell me if I'm wrong, please!
Oh, and another question, do most people that use printing buy their own machinery, or go to another place to get it done? Thank you!
Ok, I'll take a stab at this one. I think one needs some mechanical skills to do their own printing. You will have to know how to fix things, a press will need some work, the exposure box will need this or that, etc. If you don't have some of those skills, you will find printing yourself frustrating.
On the other hand, it is much easier to get a transfer and heat apply it.
There again, it may be easier to farm out your work too. There are places that will print a 4 color on 100 white t-shirts for $2.35 per shirt (setup included)
You don't make as much that way, but you have far less problems too.
That's my 2 cents worth.
If talking about it would help, send me a private message, I'd be glad to help in your decision process.
Hello, I just recently became interested in T-Shirt designing and production, and I've searched this site quite a bit, read most of the FAQ's, but I'm still confused whether I want to heat press or print press. My idea is to design quite a few t-shirts with simple, but creative designs, and to produce a lot of them. I think I want to get into printing, but tell me if I'm wrong, please!
Oh, and another question, do most people that use printing buy their own machinery, or go to another place to get it done? Thank you!
What kind of designs are you looking to do?? This information would help direct the type of method you might want to look into regarding printing. If they are simple spot color (1,2,3,4,etc.colors) designs that gives you a little different set of methods to choose from than say if you wanted to do full color / 4 color process type of designs.
Also, as pointed out above, your level of mechanical inclination and space will play into the decision. We use varioius methods to produce our shirts (DTG, plastisol transfers, heat applied vinyl, and screenprinting) depending on the needs of the customer. We also augment our in-house capabilities with outsources screenprinting as well.
__________________ Big Daddy Screenprinting -Affordable contract Heat Press Services & Low Volume Screen Printing up to 4 spot colors with no setup or screen fees
Is Printing right for me? 
