I'm new to T-shirt forms and I'm in the process of starting my own t-shirts designs, but I was wondering what was more cost effective; is it buying an official heating press or just going to a print shop and having them do screen printing? One a side note, I have no customers yet I just want to slowly get things going and have a product to show people. Any advice?
Generally, screen printing requires high volume orders to be cost effective. If you are planning to use plastisols as your heat press method, those are the same quality as plastisol screen printing, so you don't lose anything there... and you buy the designs and keep them in stock until you have orders for them.
With a screen print order, you have to order your sizes and colors up front, and wait for those to sell, with plastisols, you keep a variety of blank shirts in stock, and use them as they are ordered, allowing for greater flexibility of your stock and lower quantities.
i think im going to look into a heating press then but what is a plastisols anyway? Plus is there any t shirt programs i could look into for the best printing?
Hi Andy... read that thread. It will tell you what a plastisol is. Also search the term "plastisol".. it is the best way to learn what it is, and how to use the product in your business for best results and maximum profit.
For a basic start, a plastisol is a design that is screen printed onto a transfer release paper, instead of directly onto the shirt.
I do not understand your second question tho. Are you looking for someone to make your plastisols? If yes, search threads "plastisol 8" and "plastisol where to buy". Leave off the quotation marks and put just the words into the search box, and you will find plastisol threads with suppliers, some pricing, how to order them efficiently, and feedback from users.
If you are looking for a program to design them in, inkscape.org is a good vector art program that is freeware, coreldraw is for purchase.... and gimp.org is a good raster program to design in that is freeware, and photoshop is for purchase.
Screen printing vs Heating press 
