[heavens gates]

Hi Guys,

I've been using flex vinyl and a plotter for a couple of years now. However I also sell canvas prints which have become very popular. The problem is as you can see I couldn't possibly print these with vinyl

what would you guys recommend as the best method? I have got the sublimation method in mind but as yet don't know a great deal about it. Can anyone advise

Thanks

 

[kimura-mma]

Screen print, DTG or heat transfer would all work.

It may be cool to try this effect...
Do a one color screen print, but put a few colors of ink in the screen (a glob of each color horizontally across the screen). It should produce a "rainbow" effect of color like this...

 

[heavens gates]

Thanks, I assume heat transfer would be the cheapest way. Previously i've always just bought the papers from the likes of Staples and PC world (i'm in the UK). The quality isn't fantastic however and it begins to fade within a couple of months. Any suggestions for durable quality transfers?

 

[kimura-mma]

I don't really use transfers, so I'm not much help with that. But you can search the forums or check out the Heat Press and Heat Transfers section, I'm sure there's tons of good info about quality materials.

 

[heavens gates]

nice one thanks

 

[Flagrant-T]

I think it all depends on quantity. It looks like these designs go on white, so it gives you a lot of good options. There are some very high quality heat transfers that work best on white, that would probably be a good option to do in house (if you have a heat press) if the quantities are low. DTG would also be good for low quantities, but you have to find someone white a DTG printer. Sublimation would work fine, but you are limited to using 100% polyester shirts.

Screen printing would be great for high quantities. If you went with Tim's idea above, of using the rainbow effect, it would also be economical in low quantities, because that technique uses only one screen...so it is essentially a one color design. It usually cost a bit more than a one color design, because the inks are not reusable. For art prints, its kind of cool because no two shirts will be identical. Its actually used a lot in the poster printing world.

Oh yeah...cool designs!
Nick

 

[heavens gates]

cheers guys I think high quality transfers are the way to go

 

[bornover]

What fabric and color garments do you want to do this on? That matters in digital heat transfer because you will have issues you might not find acceptable depending on the sales environment and your cutter's abilities.

 

[heavens gates]

I use 100% cotton and would be looking to print on white-black-red-yellow-blue

 

[mediapress]

It looks good for DTG w/ black Shirt

 

[heavens gates]

I couldn't afford a DTG printer at the moment and i'm not sure its cost effective to outsource them

 

[bornover]

If you use lighter shades you can use transfer paper that will not leave a heavy polymer on the garment. How is your machine going to line up the print for contour cutting? With out optical registration, it might be a challenge to get it right. Or are you just going to print the whole sheet with text and cut out the shape?

 

[heavens gates]

yeh thats what i was thinking

 

[andyluw]

Wow those designs are fantastic! Thanks for showing them to us. I like the screenprinting idea best-I do transfers too and it seems like weeding would be a nightmare. Some bright colored inks on a darker shirt would really stand out great-you are very talented!

 

[ISC]

Agreed. Cool designs man, best of luck with them printing good.

 

[Skinbus]

I have no idea but excellent images!