[TXRock]

Hi all,

I am about to embark on a journey that many of you have already gone through. I am about to open my own business, primarily aimed at producing t-shirts, athletic uniforms and embroidery, with decals and accessories added soon after. This is a stand alone business, not a kiosk.

My question is this: Is screen printing an absolutely necessary part of this business?

This might seem like a ridiculous question, but I need clarification. I have been reading a lot about dye sublimation and the possibilities seem vastly superior to screen printing. I have found it difficult to get my head around all the information regarding 100% cotton shirts and whether or not screen printing is the only option. I have seen many posts saying it is not possible, but the vast majority were older posts from previous years.

I have also seen posts stating that is possible, using certain inks/paper/spray coating/shirt blends etc. I have see videos and websites stating that with xxx paper or xxx ink it is possible. If someone would be so kind as to give me a definitive answer on the subject, I would really appreciate it. I am looking to make my initial investment in equipment, and I would really like to know I'm purchasing the right equipment for the job.

Thank you.

 

[Rodney]

Re: Is screen printing absolutely necessary?

I have been reading a lot about dye sublimation and the possibilities seem vastly superior to screen printing. I have found it difficult to get my head around all the information regarding 100% cotton shirts and whether or not screen printing is the only option.

Dye sublimation won't work on 100% cotton t-shirts if that's what you're asking.

I have also seen posts stating that is possible, using certain inks/paper/spray coating/shirt blends etc. I have see videos and websites stating that with xxx paper or xxx ink it is possible.

There may be an obscure combination that you can use to get a dye sub process to work on 100% cotton, but for regular production work that you're handing to customers, I think it's safe to say that for dye sub, you need man made materials (like Polyester or Poly/cotton blend) and 100% cotton won't work for your needs.

That's not to say you HAVE to use screen printing or buy screen printing equipment for jerseys.

You can do jerseys with a heat press and vinyl, and you can do 1-2 color designs with t-shirt vinyl. If you have a vinyl cutter, you can also do decals and signage.

 

[IYFGraphics]

My question is this: Is screen printing an absolutely necessary part of this business?

I think Rodney got you straightened out on the dye-sub question, and i think you may be confusing the different processes of using transfer paper to print a t-shirt, there are several different methods that use transfer paper including ink jet transfers, laser transfers, plastisol transfers, and of course dye-sub is a form of printing with a transfer/release paper.

But to answer your question above.....no screen printing isn't necessary to print 100% cotton tees all of the methods listed above with the exception of dye-sub will work on 100% cotton, along with DTG and screen printing.

Where screen printing has it's advantages is where you have 100's of shirts to print with the same design it becomes the most cost effective process....and as Rodney stated Vinyl is a low cost option to do one, two or three color designs and is really the standard in our neck of the woods for teamwear such as jerseys.

Hope this helps.

 

[TXRock]

yes it definitely helped...it looks like I'll be investing in screen printing equipment before the dye sub printer. I will surely be doing the vinyl work for jerseys and whatnot, but I am targeting schools that order school spirit shirts (and whatnot) by the thousands. I have done graphic design work for my wife's school on a few different occasions and they have always had to order 2nd and 3rd runs because they sell so quickly....they ended up selling a couple thousand...and that was just one school.

Now the next step is figuring out what kind of screen printing station to get....LOL

 

[Rodney]

Now the next step is figuring out what kind of screen printing station to get....LOL

We've got you covered with that as well in our screen printing sections of the forums Screen Printing - T-Shirt Forums

 

[texasjack49]

tried to send you a PM but your mailbox is full