Mr.4ColorProcess

Quote: Originally Posted by BEatMaKeR What about heavily detailed photo's? Does this process do well with that sort of thing? Seams those samples you show are very simple and 1-2 colors. My designs often have lots of details and color like a photograph. I'd like to retain the quality and print on dark shirts.

Photograph quality, which is the hardest quality to achieve, can only be printed using the CMYK (4-color process) color scheme. CMYK printing is one of the most expensive printing methods available. Just let your printer know in advance that you'll be pressing your designs on dark garments. ALWAYS SAY BLACK. Your printer will then add a white backing, which is another screen charge, so your design will appear on darker garments. Ask for 4-color process samples to see if your printer can achieve a quality CMYK color scheme. This is one of the hardest methods of printing for heat transfers.

Quote: Originally Posted by NoveltyStuff How long of a turn-around time do we need to allow for the commercial printer to give us our transfers if we order say....1,000. How much do they cost to get printed. That probably depends on number of colors, so say...3 - 4 colors.

Turn-around time all depends on the amount of business your printer has. Let's be realistic, if you want a rush order, there will be mistakes. Anything you do in a rush has things that are over-looked. Two working weeks should be enough time for your printer to complete your order, no matter how many colors you have in your design. The actual cost of your transfers from a manufacturers price depends on the quality of materials that he/she uses. Some places use quality materials, most don't. Screen printing is a very expensive trade to tackle.

Quote: Originally Posted by T-BOT with Jumbo Size sheets 25x38 or 28x40, standard turn around is 5-8 days. 1000 sheets is done in one day. when your art dep. provides ready for screens art, it's quick. When there are art issues ...well.

1000 sheets of 25x38 (1) color can be printed in about 1.5 hours -- it's the pre-press setup that takes forever. Cutting the sheets in to individual pieces is another time consuming part of the final product.

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T-BOT

Quote: Originally Posted by Mr.4ColorProcess 1000 sheets of 25x38 (1) color can be printed in about 1.5 hours -- it's the pre-press setup that takes forever. Cutting the sheets in to individual pieces is another time consuming part of the final product.

yes Jim

...well we move at a Jamaica pace here, being a hot shop and all.

one day is it.

a few hrs with setups.

a few hrs pressing them.

a few hrs cutting 20 designs and packaging.

a few hrs testing the goods, washing etc.

woops!!! here is Fedex, out the door they go.

that's it. The job and day is done.

....now with the snow storms and call in sicks etc... that delays it some....sometimes.

What takes the longest work hours is getting ready for screens artwork from clients.

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Rodney

Quote: Originally Posted by NoveltyStuff How long of a turn-around time do we need to allow for the commercial printer to give us our transfers if we order say....1,000. How much do they cost to get printed. That probably depends on number of colors, so say...3 - 4 colors.

You would need to contact the various transfer makers for pricing and turnaround times, as it can vary based on the designs, number of colors, how many can fit on a sheet, etc.

Many of them publish a pricelist on their website (or one you can get via email) that you can use for getting quotes.

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Rodney

Quote: Originally Posted by T-BOT [/size] Curious, are the transfers you tested and displayed photos for above...are they ALL Plastisol Transfers ?

Yes, all are plastisol transfers. Why?

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Parlophone

Quote: Originally Posted by Rodney Hot Peel: Applied with a heat press and peeled immediately after pressing, while the transfer is still hot. Usually has more of a matte look. Hot Split: Applied with a heat press and peeled immediately after pressing, while the transfer it hot. Some of the ink transfers to the t-shirt and some of the ink stays on the transfer paper causing a "split". This is supposed to give the final design the softest hand with a matte finish.

how does the hot split not dump all of the ink whereas the hot peel does? i'm confused... could somebody help explain the differences? pros / cons?

i usually only see hot peel and not hot split when browsing custom transfer vendors. personally, the hot split seems to be more what i'm looking for.. but i'm interested to hear what the experts have to say!

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sunshinetshirts

Thanks so much Rodney for this information. I am still learning and I appreciate all the help that you pros are giving on this forum.

 

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jg

Quote: Originally Posted by Rodney But buy an actual silk screen printing press (not to be confused with a heat press).

Can plastisol transfers be successfully done using a heat press?

Thank you

Jim

 

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T-BOT

Quote: Originally Posted by jg Can plastisol transfers be successfully done using a heat press? Thank you Jim

yes, to apply the transfers.

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Willy

Useless, I've only used hot split once. It was described to me as having a"softer" feel. Possibly because it leaves half the ink on the paper, yet still gives the same look. Willy

 

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Bob-O

I was talking to a friend awhile back, and he told me that plastisol was extremely toxic ( I assume he meant to the person doing the heat transfer, not the wearer). I can't imagine why that would be the case, unless it was the fumes. Does anybody know anything about this?

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Solmu

Quote: Originally Posted by jg Can plastisol transfers be successfully done using a heat press?

Depends what "done" means. While they can be applied other ways, heat press is the only professional way to apply them. As for printing them, that requires screenprinting equipment. So... yes/no.

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Solmu

Quote: Originally Posted by Bob-O I was talking to a friend awhile back, and he told me that plastisol was extremely toxic ( I assume he meant to the person doing the heat transfer, not the wearer). I can't imagine why that would be the case, unless it was the fumes. Does anybody know anything about this?

It depends on the ink, but some screenprinting ink contains various nasties (like formaldehyde for example). While I'm not sure what the risk to a heat press operator would be, it seems likely that there is some. Heating the shirt will cause dye and ink burn off, and the operator is generally in pretty close quarters (and for a home business I dare say often with poor ventilation).

You definitely want good air flow. Modern inks are more or less constantly undergoing improvement, but some are definitely better (safer) than others. If in doubt, get an MSDS (if not in doubt... rethink your self-preservation instincts, and then get an MSDS ).

(and yes, the toxicity is for those involved in the manufacturing process - not the end wearer. I believe it's worst at the ink manufacturing level, but OH&S should be considered at every stage of the manufacturing process)

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Chani

Quote: Originally Posted by T-BOT when your art dep. provides ready for screens art, it's quick. When there are art issues ...well.

How would you go about doing that with a raster file? I understand how to do it with a vector file.

Thanks!

 

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