Discuss the various aspects of heat pressed vinyl transfers. Popular and new types of vinyl media, suppliers, vinyl cutters /plotters, press times, quality, how to instructions and more can be found in this heat press sub forum.
Hi, We just got a flexi-jet Direct to Garment printer and are extremely underwhelmed by the results it produces even in perfect circumstances, so my next thought in the world of t-shirt design was a good quality solvent printer like the roland SolJet III XC-540 (cutter/printer) and some kind of transfer media that I can print, contour cut, and press onto shirts, does anyone have any experience doing this, I would really like some ideas before we send this flexi jet back. Anyone with experience with different types of media that can be used with solvent printers. Any information would be welcome.
My idea, which may be wrong, is that if I can get a transfer material for black shirts that I can print anything I want on, cut and press with a minimum of labor, that it must be better than the labor involved in the DTG.
Thanks!
Hi, We just got a flexi-jet Direct to Garment printer and are extremely underwhelmed by the results it produces even in perfect circumstances, so my next thought in the world of t-shirt design was a good quality solvent printer like the roland SolJet III XC-540 (cutter/printer) and some kind of transfer media that I can print, contour cut, and press onto shirts, does anyone have any experience doing this, I would really like some ideas before we send this flexi jet back. Anyone with experience with different types of media that can be used with solvent printers. Any information would be welcome.
My idea, which may be wrong, is that if I can get a transfer material for black shirts that I can print anything I want on, cut and press with a minimum of labor, that it must be better than the labor involved in the DTG.
Thanks!
The solvent printer definitely allows for more versatility from a fabric standpoint. The ability to decorate dark colored apparel as well as a variety of synthetics in addition to cotton.
Josh, thanks for the info. A few questions, most importantly, is it possible to cut completely borderless images and would it be feasible to cut very small bits of images (i.e. we have one image that is made from 1200 ~ 1mm cubes) I'm familiar with the method in vinyl, and with careful weeding it can be done there, I'm just wondering about the accuracy of the Roland cutters when it does the re-feed/cut, have you ever run into any problems with it missing a mark?
I'm looking to cut an image that would then be able to be put on any color shirt at all without having to worry about it "looking like a heat transfer" if you understand what I mean. Not that heat transfer is bad, I just don't want my work looking like it came out of a desktop inkjet.
Second question, what kind of masking material is that? Brand name, etc.
Josh what kind of cost per transfer can I expect on average with the Cad Print? I realize there is variance for sizes, but just trying to get a comparison for the cost of it in contrast to screen printing or Plastisol transfers.
Josh, thanks for the info. A few questions, most importantly, is it possible to cut completely borderless images and would it be feasible to cut very small bits of images (i.e. we have one image that is made from 1200 ~ 1mm cubes) I'm familiar with the method in vinyl, and with careful weeding it can be done there, I'm just wondering about the accuracy of the Roland cutters when it does the re-feed/cut, have you ever run into any problems with it missing a mark?
I'm looking to cut an image that would then be able to be put on any color shirt at all without having to worry about it "looking like a heat transfer" if you understand what I mean. Not that heat transfer is bad, I just don't want my work looking like it came out of a desktop inkjet.
Second question, what kind of masking material is that? Brand name, etc.
Thanks.
If the machine is calibrated properly it shouldn't miss a mark. It will probably handle the job that you are describing if it is cutting squares. The concern in the process is if you try to do very thin small lines, such as text or artsy designs that have lines and curves like calligraphy.
I think you'll find this to be significant improvement over the results achieved with a desktop printer - however it still involves a thin film laying on top of the fabric. The best way to know is to get in an applied sample or a loose transfer sample to apply yourself.
The mask used was either the solutions mask or the TTD mask. The ttd mask has the white backing and the solutions the yellow backing.
Josh what kind of cost per transfer can I expect on average with the Cad Print? I realize there is variance for sizes, but just trying to get a comparison for the cost of it in contrast to screen printing or Plastisol transfers.
The finished cost for a premium opaque film that exhibits a soft feel and universal adhesion is 3 cents per sq/inch.
The cost for a clear film for light colors is about 2 cents psi.
The cost for a slightly thicker opaque cad-print film is 2 cents psi.
These finished cost estimates include ink, film and mask where applicable.
Waste will obviously effect costs, since the actual film is the majority of the cost and the ink is minimal.
Question for Josh.
Would this material be also usable with Pigment ink ( have anybody tried ?). Joto paper provided a sample material from last year's trade show that is described as Print-n-cut and it is cut into an 8.5" x 12" ( that's right, 12 not 11, actually 11 7/16) that is intended for INKJET printers !( it was kinda thick though) I was wondering if the print and cut material for the cad camms for solvent ink would also accept PIGMENT ink ? Would it be possible to get a sample of this material without having to purchase a whole roll ?
Solvent Printers and Transfers 
have anybody tried ?). Joto paper provided a sample material from last year's trade show that is described as Print-n-cut and it is cut into an 8.5" x 12" ( that's right, 12 not 11, actually 11 7/16
) I was wondering if the print and cut material for the cad camms for solvent ink would also accept PIGMENT ink ? Would it be possible to get a sample of this material without having to purchase a whole roll ?
