dye sub on cotton and poly first timer

1443 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by splathead, Nov 1, 2017

yoz09

Discussion Starter · Oct 9, 2017

hi - i just got started on dye sub and trying to make tshirts just for myself and family to wear. i have a few questions as i'm going through the various threads that seem to be outdated (from 2006) to help me get started on this. i have the epson 1400 printer, asub brand transfer paper and heat press.

since i won't be able to order/get my 100% poly shirts in time, questions i have is

1. where can i get blank shirts for a decent price? it doesn't have to be best quality since we will only be wearing these custom made shirts a handful of times.
2. since i only have 100% cotton shirts for now, are the press times and temp the same as poly?
3. can i wash the shirt once i'm done pressing or do i need to wait prior to washing?
4. i'm looking to press on canvas or polyester favor bags. is this possible since the poly bags may melt? if yes what should the temp be?

any help or feedback is appreciated. thanks

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socceronly

· #2 · Oct 9, 2017

You need sublimation dye. If you have not bought that, then you need Inkjet transfer paper for your cotton shirts.

You can't sublimate on cotton. It does not work, full stop, period, impossible.

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yoz09

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 9, 2017

yep i have sublimation ink via CISS and the heat transfer paper for it.

any suggestions on places i can buy the 100% poly shirts? or feedback on the above questions? these shirts are mostly for birthdays and parties.

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splathead

· #4 · Oct 10, 2017

Where are you located? Putting your location in your profile so it shows up with you avatar will get you answers faster.

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Fionn101

· #5 · Oct 31, 2017

socceronly said:
You need sublimation dye. If you have not bought that, then you need Inkjet transfer paper for your cotton shirts.

You can't sublimate on cotton. It does not work, full stop, period, impossible.

this statement is not accurate , you can sublimate to cotton, just the washability is very poor. check out products like Sublifix.
I use this for garments that won't be worn more than a few times.

And the garment price is cheaper with Cotton, 1/3 of the price of poly

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splathead

· #6 · Oct 31, 2017

Fionn101 said:
And the garment price is cheaper with Cotton, 1/3 of the price of poly

Use to be, not anymore. A nice poly shirt costs the same as a nice ringspun cotton one.

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Fionn101

· #7 · Nov 1, 2017

splathead said:
Use to be, not anymore. A nice poly shirt costs the same as a nice ringspun cotton one.

I pay €3.30 for Poly and €1.30 for cotton currently

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splathead

· #8 · Nov 1, 2017

Fionn101 said:
I pay €3.30 for Poly and €1.30 for cotton currently

We're not allowed to discuss wholesale pricing in the forum, so I won't ask what are the particular brands.

But at least here in the states, a super nice polyester shirts costs the same as a super nice cotton one.

Does the cheapest cotton shirt you could find cost less than the cheapest polyester you can find? Yes. But it's not a cotton shirt we would ever use.

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