[ablazestudios]

I have had great success with my Roland BN-20; however, I am looking for an alternative to dealing with small letters. I thought about a DTG for just things like left chest & small scriptures & lettering on the back of shirts, but I think that may be costly for those small jobs. Would printing my own transfers work? I have a Hotronix Heat Press. QUALITY is my number one goal. If I do large orders, I order custom plastitol transfers, but I do TONS of one & two shirt jobs.

Would love advice. My budget is $1-3K.

Thanks,
Eva

 

[TYGERON]

How small do you mean? And are you having issues with cutting small detail or just tired of the actual weeding?
I've cut and weeded smaller than 10pt text successfully using Stahl's Thermofilm with An Expert 24LX. Not something I have call to do often. Pretty much just to see how small I can cut.
Transfers are an option. You have inkjet for both lights and darks. You can contour cut them on your cutter. Laser transfers (self-weeding too). And you should check Stahl's color digital transfers too.

 

[ablazestudios]

Thanks!

I think I'm going to try another type of vinyl. I'm using Stahl's Premium Plus. I also read to mask the vinyl & pull it from the carrier then weed. Have you ever tried this?

I don't have near the problem with printable vinyl...just the cut only.

And I am cutting at 130 (new blade, cut strip, etc.) For whatever reason, I have to cut with a stronger force (does not cut through the carrier).

Eva

 

[joeshaul]

What font weight are you cutting that's giving problems? I in particular don't like how Premium Plus weeds, it's ok for player names/numbers, but I try not to use it for anything with small detail as I've had problems with it and prefer something like Stahl's Fashion Film or Gorilla Grip instead.

 

[ablazestudios]

It's an 18-20 point font...a scripture across the back of a shirt. I have a HUGE roll of Premium Plus that I can see will probably go to waste, b/c I absolutely hate it! It's like gum sometimes!

I think before I invest in other things I am going to try different vinyl.

Eva

 

[joeshaul]

I'd suggest trying Fashion Film from Stahls. It has a stronger adhesive liner than premium plus and is a much thinner film (make sure to adjust cut pressure and the like before cutting it, might end up going straight through the backer).

You could probably use your roll of premium plus for other things (IE: a large cross or something if you need one). I keep some premium plus on hand, even though I prefer to use other films over it (the low price was my main draw to it).

 

[cornpopps]

I will only use Premium+ for larger cuts. I had the same issue with smaller text. I like the Spectra Eco film from Imprintables. I can do small text with it, its still a pain as you have to go slower but it does have the tacky background with a mat finish and soft hand.

On your print/cut, I mask first and then weed when I have smaller text or if its really small I will match the cavity color to the garment and will only weed the outside.