[blue_clothes]

hi

me and my sister have just started our own Tshirt printing business and all we have had is trouble!

First the vinyl was awful and now we seem to have found a pretty good supplier. but when we put them in the wash they seam to crease up! we called the supplier and they said this is due to shrinkage of the Tshirt. We have been using the heavy weight FOTL Tshirts.... is this common?

 

[Twanabee]

You need to use "pre-shrunk" garments. Make sure when you purchase shirts that it states this. If not your going to run into problems.

 

[blue_clothes]

thanks for that,

i just dont understand why fruit of the looms, which are extremely popular, are not sold pre shrunk.... assuming most of there sales are for use with vinyl and other printing. Do people wash them thereselves?

 

[Twanabee]

Shirts that are bought from stores may not be pre-shrunk. Garments that are purchased from wholesalers are mostly all pre-shrunk and state that on their web sites. If you intend to go into business, you need to set your business up with a wholesale account with someone like Bodek & Rhodes or Broder. Your shirt cost will come down.

 

[Nick Horvath]

hi

me and my sister have just started our own Tshirt printing business and all we have had is trouble!

First the vinyl was awful and now we seem to have found a pretty good supplier. but when we put them in the wash they seam to crease up! we called the supplier and they said this is due to shrinkage of the Tshirt. We have been using the heavy weight FOTL Tshirts.... is this common?

Thinner vinyls tend to look wrinkled when applied to a fabric that shrinks such as 100% Cotton. If you use a thicker vinyl (anything over or around say 100 microns), you should be able to avoid this.

 

[gdalts]

Hi, This is helpful - thank you.
I'm about to buy shirts from American Apparel (baby clothes). They say that they use a cotton rib. Any issues with this? I'm wondering how vinyl will do on ribbing.. Any comments on American Apparel? I'm looking for a Canadian woholesaler.

 

[Corel Whisperer]

Make sure the product you are applying to the baby garments are save to be used on them!
CW

 

[gdalts]

OK - do you know of any that aren't? Just so that I get an objective opinion - not sure if the vinyl seller will be quite so forthcoming.

 

[Corel Whisperer]

You will need to ask for the MSDS sheets on the products and keep copies in your shop. If anyone asks for the information you will have it on hand. They will have to provide this to you if they are saying the products are save for children’s clothing.
CW

 

[gdalts]

perfect -appreciate the advice. From your experience is there a vinyl that you find works well on kids clothes?

 

[Corel Whisperer]

Some of this would depending on the color you are looking for and if you are looking for a soft hand I would say the Fashion File line by Stahls and Imprintables Warehouse, not sure on some of the other companies.