[hyposhirty]

Hello forum-goers.
I am new to the t-shirt business and to this forum, but am finding this site an incredibly useful store of knowledge and experience. Thanks to all of you who are willing to share your expertice.

I would like to print several hundred shirts with a design I created, and which is currently in the late stages of the federal TM process.

My design contains a heart element and text. My question is what are the relative advantages (in terms of cost and quality) of ironing on the heart versus silk-screeing the whole design? Also, is there any other production method, preferable to either of those two, which I haven't considered?

Also, if iron-on is indeed the way to go, where can I get the hearts to actually iron on? (I am very very new at this).

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[wormil]

Screenprinting is your best bet. At this point I would hire the work and not try and do it yourself. Printing is a learned trade and not worth the undertaking for the sake of a few hundred shirts.

If you want to invest in a heat press, you could order plastisol transfers or get into ink jet transfers. Each have their own subforum with plenty of information.

 

[bsig03]

Once you get past a dozen or so shirt screen printing is going to be the best way to go. I would shop around and find the best pricing for the quality of garment you are looking for.

 

[pwapparel]

I would not reccommend ink jet transfers at all.

The plastisol transfer vs. actual screen printing is dependant on how you will sell the shirts.

If you are selling to a store, a lot a time, then screen printing the shirts directly will be more cost efficient.

If however, you will be selling your shirts via the internet and aren't sure of the exact demand, the intiail investment of the transfers will be much less and could be a lot safer for you.