[bsb650]

So I am new to the whole t-shirt business and was looking for some answers to a question I have.
My understanding is that plastisol heat transfers are created from an image that is screen printed onto a transfer that is heat transferred onto the garment... If this is the case, then what is the difference between doing this and simply screen printing the image directly onto the garment using plastisol ink??

 

[joey1320]

You are correct, the plastisol transfers are designs screen printed onto a carrier paper and then heatpress applied onto the garment.

The differences is minimal on looks and feel, but still there. Because you are not screen printing straight onto the garment, the transfers will show a soft "layering" on the garment. Not really noticeable if you are not familiar or knowledgeable about the whole process but still there.

Besides the difference on the final print, there really are major differences if you want to actually screen print your own clothes as opposed to use transfers.

Sent from my HTC One X using T-Shirt Forums

 

[bsb650]

You are correct, the plastisol transfers are designs screen printed onto a carrier paper and then heatpress applied onto the garment.

The differences is minimal on looks and feel, but still there. Because you are not screen printing straight onto the garment, the transfers will show a soft "layering" on the garment. Not really noticeable if you are not familiar or knowledgeable about the whole process but still there.

Besides that, there really is no difference besides the process its done, applied and cured.

Sent from my HTC One X using T-Shirt Forums

i see... so it seems i would just be better off with getting the image screen printed straight up?
or will the heat transfer have a more professional look to it? (which is what i am ultimately going for)

 

[royster13]

i see... so it seems i would just be better off with getting the image screen printed straight up?
or will the heat transfer have a more professional look to it? (which is what i am ultimately going for)

It really depends on how your sales go......With transfers you can press on demand to fill requests from clients for certain colours and/or sizes of shirts.....This allows you to keep your inventory at a minimum.....

 

[djque]

Another difference is that if you dont screenprint the the transfers you order in quanitys then if you have a heat press you press them on. To better show you this is what your going to need.

Silkscreen

Silkscreen press (depends on how many colors the transfer is could be 1 to 8 color press
Emoulsion
Screen
Ink
Exposure unit
Pressure washer
Flash Dryer

Transfers ordered from someone.

Heat press
Transfers

If I would of knew about this before I brought my silkscreen kit I would of went with getting them made.

I have a 4 color press
Exposure unit
Flash dryer
ink
Emoulsion
Screens
Stand
Plattens
Etc just sitting in my garage not using them. But 1 thing for surei can make my own transfers without payinga setup fee and waiting for them to be delivered. I sometimes get the itch and silkscreen a 1 color design just for fun.

 

[joey1320]

Another difference is that if you dont screenprint the the transfers you order in quanitys then if you have a heat press you press them on. To better show you this is what your going to need.

Silkscreen

Silkscreen press (depends on how many colors the transfer is could be 1 to 8 color press
Emoulsion
Screen
Ink
Exposure unit
Pressure washer
Flash Dryer

Transfers ordered from someone.

Heat press
Transfers

If I would of knew about this before I brought my silkscreen kit I would of went with getting them made.

I have a 4 color press
Exposure unit
Flash dryer
ink
Emoulsion
Screens
Stand
Plattens
Etc just sitting in my garage not using them. But 1 thing for surei can make my own transfers without payinga setup fee and waiting for them to be delivered. I sometimes get the itch and silkscreen a 1 color design just for fun.

Yes if you are debating wether you want to screen them yourself or buy the transfers, I would say go the transfers way.

Silkscreening is an art imho. Waaay too many variables and all have to be correct. Plus you need an incredible amount of patience, space and time. Hats off to anyone doing it.

As a start up, I will go the transfers way. A lot easier. Less inventory and if you find a good source of transfers, a really simple endeavor. I myself use SEMO Imprints, they are phenomenal.

Sent from my HTC One X using T-Shirt Forums

 

[bsb650]

Another difference is that if you dont screenprint the the transfers you order in quanitys then if you have a heat press you press them on. To better show you this is what your going to need.

Silkscreen

Silkscreen press (depends on how many colors the transfer is could be 1 to 8 color press
Emoulsion
Screen
Ink
Exposure unit
Pressure washer
Flash Dryer

Transfers ordered from someone.

Heat press
Transfers

If I would of knew about this before I brought my silkscreen kit I would of went with getting them made.

I have a 4 color press
Exposure unit
Flash dryer
ink
Emoulsion
Screens
Stand
Plattens
Etc just sitting in my garage not using them. But 1 thing for surei can make my own transfers without payinga setup fee and waiting for them to be delivered. I sometimes get the itch and silkscreen a 1 color design just for fun.

ok... this is good information, thank you. I was not planning on silkscreening myself though... I wanted to go to someone who can screenprint for me due to the fact that i lack the funds and time to learn screenprinting at the moment.
I apoligize for not being specific enough in my original question, but I was asking the question of the difference between the two in order to save costs as well as produce the best quality garment I can.
One silkscreen place told me they wanted $135 for the setup of one design i have, which is why i was thinking of going the heat press route.
But, based on your information, it seems i will be paying about the same price either way... ?

 

[bsb650]

It really depends on how your sales go......With transfers you can press on demand to fill requests from clients for certain colours and/or sizes of shirts.....This allows you to keep your inventory at a minimum.....

thank you for the info...unfortunately i don't really have a demand for anything right now lol. im just trying to produce SOMEthing so i can get started. I just want to reduce costs when i go to get my design put on a shirt. One lady told me she needed $135 to simply setup the silkscreens, so i thought maybe a heat press transfer would be cheaper? but could you elaborate on the part that you say it keeps my inventory at a minimum? Because im thinking in my head that either way, the screens need to be made for my design, and therefore the design can be produced at any time.

 

[djque]

There is always a setup fee which is the design you give them most will add it in the total cost and some will tell you up front. You could buy a heat press and buy premade heat transfer or premade rhinestone design and start there. I started Like I said with the silkscreen but went downtown La and saw them cali life, california, cali diamond already made transfers and brought 100 of them. I sold them in a week and that brought me good money to purchase more stuff. If you wanna start cheap cuz of the funds buy a heat press then buy premade transfers and press them on shirts sell them to the mom and pops stores or 99 cent stores and save to buy something better. That's what I still do most people like there state or city on a shirt. The California shirts are still a big hit out here very big. I made about $8k or more when I started doing them.

 

[bsb650]

There is always a setup fee which is the design you give them most will add it in the total cost and some will tell you up front. You could buy a heat press and buy premade heat transfer or premade rhinestone design and start there. I started Like I said with the silkscreen but went downtown La and saw them cali life, california, cali diamond already made transfers and brought 100 of them. I sold them in a week and that brought me good money to purchase more stuff. If you wanna start cheap cuz of the funds buy a heat press then buy premade transfers and press them on shirts sell them to the mom and pops stores or 99 cent stores and save to buy something better. That's what I still do most people like there state or city on a shirt. The California shirts are still a big hit out here very big. I made about $8k or more when I started doing them.

ohh alright, i see you now... I didnt understand that you were talking about the fact that they were some premade transfers... alright then, I appreciate that my man. You have any websites you know about that I can order some premade transfers from? If not, I appreciate your input anyway

 

[djque]

F & M expression and to the left is vendors. But when I need to make a quick dollar I run downtown and buy pre made ones. Also look into buying a small vinyl cutter you will be happy you did. I make good money doing one off shirts up to $50 a shirt depends on what they want on it and the shirt they want. Pro club, pro 5 etc. I just got a offer yesterday to do some long shore man shirts.

 

[calhtech]

ohh alright, i see you now... I didnt understand that you were talking about the fact that they were some premade transfers... alright then, I appreciate that my man. You have any websites you know about that I can order some premade transfers from? If not, I appreciate your input anyway

If you are referring to PREMADE or "Stock" transfers. There are several on the preferred vendors list to the left - Proworld, etc. Others like Wildside, Thompson Wholesale, Springhill. Google is your best friend.
If you are referring to custom transfers, check the list. Versatranz, F&M, Seay Graphics, SEMO, etc.
Good luck;

CalhTech>

 

[stationvalley]

don't feel bad, i'm a veteran to the t-shirt business and even i dont know all the answers. bsb650 knows what they're talking about