[Swick]

Hi everyone. I'm new on here with plenty of questions, so first of all, thanks in advance for the help!

Basically I have a nonprofit business that I'm getting ready to make some shirts for and the shirts will be a big part of the business. My first instinct was to have the shirts made for us, and I shopped around online and found that for just 50 shirts I was looking anywhere from $400-$600. Rather than ordering them, I decided that maybe I should start looking into making them myself considering the expense, and secondly, it would be extremely beneficial for me to be able to print on-demand. This begins my real leg work of course.

So I've look at printing presses, heat transfers, plasitsol transfers, print screening, and vinyl transfers. I've been reading and watching videos on all of these options for days! It's so much information and all good, but I still don't have all I'm looking for.

So, basically getting started, my 1st shirt will have some white text, a white logo, and be on a black shirt. I have been comparing the differences between plastisol transfers and vinyl transfers. One thing that appeals to me about the plastisol transfers is that after watching many videos, I see that I can easily make my own reusable screen and basically just need the paint after that. The thing that appeals to me about the vinyl is that it seems like it would last longer, maybe be more professional, and of course, no paint mess.

What I'm wondering though, what would really be the cost difference, I mean purchasing plastisol transfers, screen printing myself (which requires buying plastisol), or using vinyl? The vinyl also seems like a decent way to go because I'm doing mostly text and all white.

Oh, one more thing, I've noticed that there is a Glow-in-the-Dark plastisol, this would actually be really cool for what I'm doing, is there something similar in vinyl?

And, I've heard bad stuff about just plain heat transfers from ink printers, any thoughts? I know it's a lot, so thanks again! I've been researching for weeks and I learn more everyday!

 

[jleampark]

Welcome to the forum.

I would recommend either buying plastisol (indirect screen printing) transfers or vinyl.

Plastisol
Rather than going though the mess, cost, and time of screen printing the tees, you would go through a company like Transfer Express, Semo Imprints, Seay Graphics (my personal favorites). You send them the design (or, with Transfer Express, create it with their templates), they screen print the design onto special release paper and mail the designs back to you. Then, with a heat press, you press the transfer onto the tee, peel and are done.

Vinyl
Along with having to buy a heat press as with plastisols, you would also have to buy a cutter/plotter and the vinyl. (I have a GCC Expert 24 LX). Here, you design the logo, etc. on your computer, send it to the cutter and let it do its magic. Then, weed away whatever it NOT the design, apply with a heat press, peel, and you're done.

For 50 tees, I would lean towards plastisol. My cut-off is around 35; any more than that, and it's worth my time to order pre-made designs. On the other hand, you will get better opacity with vinyl (white on black) and it's only one color. It's a bit of a push.

A heat press will run you $300 - $500 for a basic model, while a cutter/plotter will start around $400 - $600.

I started with a 15x15 heat press off of E-bay and then upgraded to a bigger press and a vinyl cutter after a few years.

If you continue with the business, you can easily make back your investment.

Good luck!

 

[jleampark]

Sorry... I missed a couple questions...

Glow in the Dark Vinyl
Yes, for instance: Heat Transfer Material CAD-CUT Glow | Stahls’

Heat Transfers
You would have a tough time finding a way to to white on a black tee with a heat transfer. One option is with Image Clip for Koncert Tees (ImageClip™ for Koncert Tees - 8.5" x 11") but you need a laser printer.

 

[royster13]

Plastisol transfers and CAD Cut vinyl are the same material, PVC......They are are just made differently....Depending on how well they are done, some can "crap out" right away and others will last a long time....

To get you started I would suggest a small batch of plastisol transfers.....With many suppliers you can also request a colour change at a modest cost and get both white and black for example....

Good luck....

 

[Swick]

Thanks for the input guys. I was pretty much thinking that I'd get some plastisol transfers and some vinyl just to get the ball rolling, I guess I can compare quality when I have them both, but I was really wondering which one would be more cost effective? And in the future, IF I did screen print on my own, what the savings would really be as opposed to buying plastisol transfers? Other than that, I guess my only other important question is, where's a good place to buy quality bulk t's? I've been looking at Gildan Ultra Cotton's for $1.90 each here: Gildan Ultra Cotton T-shirts Style 2000 - Wholesale Bulk BlankT shirts on sale $1.90/ea, but wonder, is that a decent deal or can I do better? I know the quality because I have a few in my personal wardrobe that I've beat the snot out of over the past few years and they've held up very well. Thanks again!

 

[jleampark]

$1.90 for a white Gildan 2000 is a decent price. I looked on SanMar and they a tad cheaper. But, you are getting a good price.