[Tourino]

I'm going to buy a vinyl cutter, the "Silhouette" because I'm UNemployed and a recent graduate (communal tech school) in the field of graphic and web designing. I post this question because I need help with 2 things if my fellow t shirt producers out here can assist me with answering:

1.) Can someone tell me, who are my "better" options to purchase the vinyl from on a regular basis? I am "NOT" looking necessarily for the cheapest quality vinyl, I want the "BEST or LONGEST LASTING" vinyl options.

2.) A lot of designers are not into layering vinyl on top of one another but I do anticipate that I will be using this technique to make a stroke. I understand that ALL vinyl is not good for this layering option. Thoughts on this subject? Thank you all in advance for your help to a newbie.

 

[Tourino]

I am printing t shirts. I am NOT printing signs. Please look at the subject title.

 

[DigitalInkArts]

Sorry. . Easyweed by siser then. Thats All i use, Layering and single application and have never had an issue. 10 seconds on 320 degres F or 185 Celcius.

 

[royster13]

Spectra Eco Film from Heat Transfer Vinyl, Digital Print Cut Media, Sign Making Materials - Imprintables Warehouse
or
Siser Easy Weed from www.HeatTransferWarewhouse.com

I am convinced this is the same product but sold under different names....These 2 products require a lower temperature and less pressing time that other films...this can speed up production.....

And if you are doing any kind of quantities of the same design, best to use transfers....I like the 15 cent deal from 15 cent One Color Heat Transfers

 

[Tourino]

DigitalInkArts and royster13, I thank you both for the great information you have shared with me today. Just the kind of info that I needed to help me get moving. It's been rough with no prior knowledge of "heat press" at all.

I've made my mark in the t shirt game, before this, getting other companies to do my SILK SCREEN fullfillments, so learning heat pressing is like learning a brand new language. Again, I deeply appreciate the Love. Great knowledge is ONLY useful, when (it's) shared. I'll check out those links as well. Gratzi. Gratzi.

 

[royster13]

While I could not live without my cutter and heat press vinyl, my sales of garments decorated with plastisol transfers outpaces heat press vinyl about 5 to 1.....

 

[Tourino]

The plastisol transfers are pretty similar to doing silk screen printing correct?

Most companies who sell vinyl material also sell these plastisol transfers as well?

I factored a one color vinyl cut will run me $2.30-$3.00 each. Does that sound about right? How much does it end up costing per transfer for something simple like one or two color designs?

 

[royster13]

Yes transfers are similar to screen printing....

Some companies that sell vinyl sell transfers but that is not as typical as separate sellers.....

You are being quite generous with your 2.30 to 3.00 calculation...You can sometimes get lower costs by using 20" material....Say if you want a 9 x 9 design...That lays out better on 20" wide versus 15" wide....Siser Easy Weed black and white comes in 20" wide....Spectra Eco Film comes in 30" wide but you need to order 50 yard rolls....

For transfers you will have to make some calculations and shop around....Prices will vary depending on size, number of colours and quantity....The thing about transfers is knowing whether you can continue to sell more of the same design....Lately I have been buying the 15 cent transfer from F&M Expressions.... 100 will cost you less than 47.00 15 cent One Color Heat Transfers

 

[Hegemone]

I like thermoflex plus by specialty materials. Go to their website and request a sample. They are quite generous and once you see and use what they send you, you will understand why it's another popular choice. I use h&h sign as my supplier. Not the cheapest but they sell by the foot which helps me not have to buy a lot just to do a one off (I focus on screen printing not vinyl). That's just my experiences so far.


My two cents. Toss them in a well and make a wish.