[T-BOT]

Curious to hear what Board members have to say relating to this topic.

Personally, I have tested and sold 1000's of CLC ( Color Lazer Copy'r ) transfers over the years and never really had major complaints.

Mind you that I've only sold them printed on tight JERSEY knit t-shirts, and On stretch RIB Knits like "aa" girly tank tops I have always used an opaque backing material. These with the opaque seem to last forever.

What do you think ?

 

[polomac]

I'm also using a laswer printer and ifind not to have any problems. My paper supplier is selling the paper to major companies and have no complaints. How long do you want a print to last. If a print last for years than will be out of business. I look at a paper that a transfer will last 20-30 washes. Which is about a year give or take.I've had sreen printed that washed out after 10 washes, it all depends on the screen ink and that is also the same for laser or ink transfers.

 

[Don]

Hi Lucy,
MYTH. I have done over 12,500 transfers with pigmented inks from two inkjet printers and some have been in the field for years including the ones I did for my family and they still look good. I have done them on 100% Polyester, 50/50, 100% cotton, canvas tote bags, Mouse pads, etc with great results.

I haven't found an opaque material that will last longer than 14 to 18 washes max. Other than that, no problems with light colors.

God Bless You
Don

 

[badalou]

I think it is fair to say that the opaque transfers do last a long time. I think heat transfer can last a long time if the user takes care of them properly. I think washing conditions are important. I always tell my clients when they are buying hot peel transfers that there is going to be slight fading on first wash and that they should be washed in cold water first time. I am taking some cards down to the pre school on Monday with the washing instructions where I sold T's with their name on them because a parent decided that it was OK to wash a new daisy color tee shirt with her jeans in hot water. She came back and wanted her money back. The owner called me and she was upset. I told her when we sat down she had choices Heat transfers or plastisol transfer. she wanted to save money so she choose heat transfer and I gave her a tee to take home and wash. She did not. She asked what the shirt was going to look like I showed her the shirt I had on with my name and it had been washed more than 15 time following my instructions. I looked as good as it did after the first wash. In fact it is on my video page at the bottom. Lou

 

[Twinge]

I'm also using a laswer printer and ifind not to have any problems. My paper supplier is selling the paper to major companies and have no complaints. How long do you want a print to last. If a print last for years than will be out of business. I look at a paper that a transfer will last 20-30 washes. Which is about a year give or take.I've had sreen printed that washed out after 10 washes, it all depends on the screen ink and that is also the same for laser or ink transfers.

You certainly do NOT need to have your products die over time to get continued and repeat business. People will want to use you for new projects, other designs, etc. if the quality is good.

 

[Solmu]

How long do you want a print to last.

The life of the garment, which should be measurable in years.

If a print last for years than will be out of business.

That is completely absurd.

I've had sreen printed that washed out after 10 washes, it all depends on the screen ink

A screenprinted shirt that washed out after 10 washes either 1) Wasn't actually a screenprint, or 2) Underwent extremely poor care, or (most likely) 3) Wasn't printed properly in the first place, was defective, and shouldn't have gone to market (most likely it wasn't cured properly). It's completely unacceptable, and not at all normal (which is not to say it doesn't happen, but there is no reason for the customer to accept it).

 

[polomac]

O.K Like most ofyou people i've been in the textile business for over 23 years now. You can never assure that a tshirt print on screen or transfers will last for years.That is misleadind your product, The average expcted life of a print is a least 20 washes. Why do you trhink transfer suppliers test their paper and give an average time of washes. I have lots of customers that are happy with my product or else i would not be in business. I tell thwem that ink jet or laser the print will fade in time it is printer ink not screen print ink that will last longer.Screen print also as a time of washes after it starts to fade. Yes there are sfirts that last for years but there are also shirts that last 2o washes.I know major stores that use screen printing that the ink fades after 20 washes.Thats how they stay in business if the customers buys 10 shirts and will last for years they will not need to purchase more.
Anyways this is my opinion and from my experience

 

[Rodney]

Rather than go back and forth about an opinion , let's keep this back to the topic of CLC / Jet transfers and their durability.

 

[Twinge]

As far as CLC transfers go, I've heard they are a little worse than good Inkjet transfers, but still close in quality. I don't see much past dicussion of it on the forums here, so further commentary from anyone that has actually used CLC transfers before would be good =)

(I believe they've talked about CLC transfers a bit over on the HTFDP board in the past; if I have some extra time later I may search and see what I can find if someone doesn't beat me to it)