Screen printing v Heat Transfers V plastisol

Several papers work. Iron all, Miracool, transjet ll should all give you great photos on tees. I use Mira cool or Iron All because I like the softer feel. do you have a heat press? Have not had a problem yet and been through many washes. I use opaque Blue grid paper for darks.

badalou said:

I use opaque Blue grid paper for darks.

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thanks i read green grid was better? any idea? We need something that is retail quality and customers aren't going to be dissapointed with.

Hi Spencer,

Full color photo transfers/shirts are ideal when someone wants to put the picture of their kid on it for grammy. One off type jobs. I always tell the customer to take extra care in the wash and let them know exactly what they are getting for the price they are paying ($10/shirt retail), and that another way of doing it would be Massive expensive to make 1 shirt (screen print). After the customer knows this, they usually say OK to photo transfers.

As for volume orders, Good quality plastisol transfers is the way to go. Mind you that POOR quality plastisol transfers are worst then photo transfers.

Any other questions feel free to post.

hmmm... good questions. You can find very nice four-color process plastisol transfers (photo of someone). But keep in mind it's expensive to do so. Depending on the quality of transfer you're talking about, there could be up to six screens to pay for.

C, M, Y, K + white backing + clear

How many transfers are you talking about? If you're making under 100, you might want to consider inkjet/laser transfers.

I use blue grid because they are softer opaque. I sell retail quality I would not use them if I did not think they were the best. I spent time testing several. I tried quite a few but not sure if green grid was one of them, may have been but if it was I passed and I am now pleased with blue grid. I think you should buy several types and try them yourself because you really are the ultimate person other than your clients that needs to be satisfied.

hollywoodnightma said:

thanks i read green grid was better? any idea? We need [an opaque transfer paper] that is retail quality and customers aren't going to be dissapointed with.

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From my experience, there is no such thing. Several people have had decent luck with opaque papers, but several others (including myself) have not. I don't think any opaque paper will really give a good, retail quality personally. Opaque paper is also pretty limited -- you have to have a design you can cut right to the edge with no white space in between for it to loo any good at all.

That said, your best bet will likely be to do what lou suggested - try out several and see if they meet your quality standards. The opaque paper I've seen most recommended is from Transfer Technology - and they should send you a free sample page or two to try out if you ask them. I personally didn't like them, but many others do.

What is the best type / brand of ink to use with these transfers?

Most people suggest some variety of pigmented ink -- these inks won't bleed when washed, like dye-based inks sometimes will. Examples of pigmented inks include Epson's OEM Durabrite inks and the Magic Mix inks from TLM Supply House (which are specifically designed for t-shirt use).

badalou said:

Several papers work. Iron all, Miracool, transjet ll should all give you great photos on tees. I use Mira cool or Iron All because I like the softer feel. do you have a heat press? Have not had a problem yet and been through many washes. I use opaque Blue grid paper for darks.

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lou, thanks just watched your youtube videos!, what kind of wash life do these have? I may post the image we need to use so people cn give me their thought?
spence

Mr.4ColorProcess said:

hmmm... good questions. You can find very nice four-color process plastisol transfers (photo of someone). But keep in mind it's expensive to do so. Depending on the quality of transfer you're talking about, there could be up to six screens to pay for.

C, M, Y, K + white backing + clear

How many transfers are you talking about? If you're making under 100, you might want to consider inkjet/laser transfers.

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we are looking at around 1000 to begin with?

hollywoodnightma said:

Also is the plastisol transfer just the same as using the ink?

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Yes.

hollywoodnightma said:

so with a plastisol transfer i still have to pay for screens? I might as well screen print them myself!

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Very much so.

hollywoodnightma said:

we are probably talking 5-10000 shirts!!!!!!! here is the basic image pre photoshopping , what do you guys recommend???

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For that kind of quantity, I'd look into sub-contracting the job to a screenprinter who can do process printing. If nothing else heat transfers aren't as practical as screenprinting for those kind of quantities.

Solmu is correct, for that type of quantity and graphic type, 4 color process screen prining or transfers is the way to go.

You just need to find a trades person that specializes with such work.

T-BOT said:

Solmu is correct, for that type of quantity and graphic type, 4 color process screen prining or transfers is the way to go.

You just need to find a trades person that specializes with such work.

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If you know of anyone then please share the wealth!
I think we may want to farm all of our printing out, to make things easier on us .

if buy plastisol transfers from First Edition you do not pay for screens.

badalou said:

if buy plastisol transfers from First Edition you do not pay for screens.

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You're going to pay for the screens one way or another. The price per transfer will probably reflect those charges. But it all depends on the quantity you want to buy.

Mr.4ColorProcess said:

You're going to pay for the screens one way or another. The price per transfer will probably reflect those charges. But it all depends on the quantity you want to buy.

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I guess we charge for screens. But really, what we charge the client for ( on a 6 spot color job for example ) is for the Film out put color seperations.

The screens, we TRASH them and make new fresh ones for the clients on re-runs. We do Keep the Films locked up...... or the client takes them.

You're going to pay for the screens one way or another

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well no. I don't think that is true. I am getting 24 transfers fro First Edition and they are costing me $1.63 each (One Color) . No extra charges except shipping.I sent them the proper art work so no charges there either. I called Dowing and they were going to charge me $1.22 plus 27 dollars screen charge that would make it $2.30 each. 1000 transfers is a small order???? yeah if your Disney! No I think 24 transfers is a small order.

badalou said:

well no. I don't think that is true. I am getting 24 transfers fro First Edition and they are costing me $1.63 each (One Color) . No extra charges except shipping.I sent them the proper art work so no charges there either. I called Dowing and they were going to charge me $1.22 plus 27 dollars screen charge that would make it $2.30 each. 1000 transfers is a small order???? yeah if your Disney! No I think 24 transfers is a small order.

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so you wold recommend First edition then Lou?