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NoSignShop · May 19th, 2007

Okay. I got 3 jobs all in one day. Neither of which has a set due date. I'm friends with the company owners so that's how I got the 2 bigger jobs. The smaller job is just a kids camp shirts.

535 shirts small 3" logo on the front chest and 12" logo on the back
200 shirts small 3" logo on the left sleeve and 12" logo on the back
25 shirts some wording on the front of a shirt ( I'm going to do these myself )

760 shirts total.

I just got the heat press 3 weeks or so ago. So this will more then cover the cost of it.

I would need about 63 yards of vinyl for the 535 shirt job, 42 yards for the 200 shirts job, and 6 yards for the 25 shirt job. Thats a lot of cutting ! Which means lots of weeding, which turns into lots of time/labor. There has to be an easier way. At $310 for a 50 yard roll itll cut into the profit. I figure this can be done cheaper, which means more profit. With less work on my end.

Which places can print these up for me to save time for cutting, and weeding ?

How are the end results is it more like screened, or vinyl ? Do they crack? Do they stretch ?

Thanks in advance for the help, as I'm sure Ill have more questions.

DAGuide · May 19th, 2007

Think about either outsourcing the 535 and 200 shirts order for screen printing or getting plastisol transfers. My gut would be that screen printing would be the cheapest.

Both types use plastisol inks. This is the type of print that everyone is use to seeing on shirts so it should not be a problem. The vinyl will have more of a stretch, but the average user will not be focused on that. Bottom line - outsource it and save your time, hands and eyes! Good luck.

Mark

NoSignShop · May 19th, 2007

I should have opened my eyes before posting this thread ahah.

A transfer sample came with the press, from TransferExpress.com so Im going fill out their qoute page and see what they say.

As for outsourcing, I thought about outsourcing the whole job. But depending on what I hear back from TransferExpress I may go that route and just apply them myself. I'm new to the heatpress area, but not to vinyl signs and lettering. So I figure this would help me learn this area nicely. But I'm sure after the first order of 200. I'll be tired of it. We shall see.

Thanks for the info.

DAGuide · May 19th, 2007

It could be good for the learning curve. Later on, you will see that outsourcing can be a really good thing. Best wishes.

diane143 · May 19th, 2007

Search for plastisol transfers, there are a couple of really good threads with different companies in them.

I've used Ace, Silver Mountain and Howard and would recommend any of them.

If you can sub them out for the same money, you'll still be paying for that press with less work.

I did an almost-400 shirt (double sided) order for a kids camp a couple of months ago. I did it in 2 phases but it was a lot of work. Well worth it though!

Good luck whichever way you decide to go - (but don't do the vinyl!)

Diane

T-BOT · May 19th, 2007

I would have to agree with Mark Daguide. (remember I dabble in transfer making).

Heat transfers are great but not for a straight up 760 ready to wear shirt order. Sure, go ahead and get transfers made if you are chillin' and need to do some work to warm you up.

...but seriously, you could be getting 10 more sales mean while and let the screen printer work for/with you.

Small Jobs or Brand fill on demant is what makes heat transfer GOLD.

one more thing, in a perfect world the transfers will be great, your application will be amazing and the customer will be happy.

In a not so perfect world and something goes wrong....you could lose your shirt.

congratulations on getting the job.
that alone is a great achievement.

:

KILLER · May 19th, 2007

congratulations and good luck .....

badalou · May 19th, 2007

Get Your Transfers Made With Plastisol. If You Do Not We Will Be Hearing From A Family Member That You Put Your Head Through A Wall Or Something.... Weeding That Many Shirts.. Man.. Please Don't Do It... Please..

COEDS · May 19th, 2007

Congrats on the orders.I use Ace Transfer Company for my plasisol transfers. They are quick and great to deal with. good luck. .... JB

NoSignShop · May 19th, 2007

Im def. not going the vinyl route. But may do the heat press part of it myself. Waiting to hear back from 2 local screen printers.

I just sent an email to get a price quote from Ace Transfer as well.

Solmu · May 20th, 2007

If you want to get quotes from other companies then check out this thread:
a review of 8 different custom plastisol transfer screen printers - samples followup
and perhaps this thread:
Where do you buy YOUR custom plastisol transfers? - a list of vendors!

JeridHill · May 20th, 2007

You can do most plastisol transfers in 5 - 20 seconds. 10 probably being the most common time setting. It will depend on the material as well as what type of plastisol transfer it is. Even at 10 seconds per shirt, my guess is, you are looking at best, about 30 seconds overall per shirt. So that's 2 per minute or almost 6 1/2 hours of press time for the side and 6 1/4 hours for the back (minus the 25). That's almost 13 hours of nonstop press time. This is with no interruptions, no problems and just a constant steady pressing. Someone with an auto could probably do this job in just a few hours, most of the time being setup.

I'm not trying to talk you out of doing this yourself, but a contract screenprinter will save you a tremendous amount of time. You can purchase the shirts, drop ship them and pick them up if they are local or have them ship back to you if they are not.

I used to think the best method is to always do it yourself. Now I look at things in a time factor, since time truly is money.

badalou · May 20th, 2007

I totally agree with Jerid. Time is money. Hope you do the right thing.

NoSignShop · May 20th, 2007

Jerid, and Lou - Any suggestions on which screen printers I should look into getting a qoute from ?

Lou - Ive watched everyone of your videos on youtube. VERY helpful to say the least! Hope to see more in the future.

JeridHill · May 20th, 2007

Obviously the best would be someone within driving distance. With large enough orders, I've seen free shipping from contractors too. Where are you located, I know a few and could point you possibly in the right direction if you are close enough to one I know of.