I have search a few threads to figure out the answer to my question with no luck.
We are getting into the screen printing business (heading to U.S. Screen Printnig school this month) and I have a pretty good lead on printing on umbrellas.
What is the best way to do it? Screen print? Heat transfer? or another method. What if we are going to be printing a 1000 or more does anyone have any recommendations?
1000 or more? Are they all the same? I would definitely screenprint them! Who wants to weed 1000 designs? But then how to dry them? I suppose you would use an air dry ink...
Thank you both coeds and flores for your responses.
I guess to answer your questions and to ask a few more I’ll explain our situation a little more in detail. I few good friends work for a golf company that takes many custom orders for umbrellas and other equipment. They currently out source these items to a number of vendors. The orders can range from 5 pieces up to 100’s (possibly more).
The question I have is what will give the most professional look with the best durability?
Screen printing – how easy is it to print on umbrellas? Air ink, is this a good solution and what is the expected life of finished product? My buddy at this company said that the issue most vendors have is the space for drying the umbrellas. So my assumption is that they current use vendors that use this method.
Heat Transfers – how does the finished product look? Is there a glossy finish to the product? Sorry if this makes me look ignorant but I am new to this business and I don’t know anything yet…LOL Do we purchase our own printer to do the transfers if the turn-a-round time is critical?
If we have multiple orders with the number of piece ranging from 5 pieces to 100’s is ideal to use both? Screen printing for the long runs and heat transfer for the 5, 10, 20 or 30 piece orders?
Thank you both coeds and flores for your responses.
I guess to answer your questions and to ask a few more I’ll explain our situation a little more in detail. I few good friends work for a golf company that takes many custom orders for umbrellas and other equipment. They currently out source these items to a number of vendors. The orders can range from 5 pieces up to 100’s (possibly more).
The question I have is what will give the most professional look with the best durability?
Screen printing – how easy is it to print on umbrellas? Air ink, is this a good solution and what is the expected life of finished product? My buddy at this company said that the issue most vendors have is the space for drying the umbrellas. So my assumption is that they current use vendors that use this method.
Heat Transfers – how does the finished product look? Is there a glossy finish to the product? Sorry if this makes me look ignorant but I am new to this business and I don’t know anything yet…LOL Do we purchase our own printer to do the transfers if the turn-a-round time is critical?
If we have multiple orders with the number of piece ranging from 5 pieces to 100’s is ideal to use both? Screen printing for the long runs and heat transfer for the 5, 10, 20 or 30 piece orders?
Thank you for your help!
Michael
If you use plastisol transfer . They are screen printed transfers. You can apply them as needed. This is the best way to do this.You can order your transfer in bulk and use them as needed. I have a few clients, I do this for. ..... JB
Best way to logo umbrellas? 
