[retro_lad]

Guys,

I'm hoping you can help me put together a list of essential items I need to get going. I'm doing things on a budget as this isn't my full time job (yet?) and I'm really just starting out.

I have a Heat press and was interested in using Vinyl transfers to print on T-shirts, Hoodies and other clothing.
I watched the video posted by Josh which demonstrated how to cut and then press vinyl onto a t-shirt. He didn't use a teflon sheet or cover paper on top of the garment. So I assume my press is good to go.

I'm looking at a small/budget sized cutter (thinking Craft Robo) to start with. But I'm a little lost as to what software and other accessories I need to start.

Aside from vinyl (obviously) I assume I'd need a weeder tool (or do they come with the cutter)?

More importantly I'm not sure what software I should be using. I have Inkscape installed and wanted to have a relatively pain free experience importing my graphics/logos into the cutter software. Should I upgrade to Corel and another cutter software?

I appreciate there's alot of questions here, but I'm stuck yet again and feeling a little dizzy with all the options.

Cheers

 

[IYFGraphics]

I have a Heat press and was interested in using Vinyl transfers to print on T-shirts, Hoodies and other clothing.
I watched the video posted by Josh which demonstrated how to cut and then press vinyl onto a t-shirt. He didn't use a teflon sheet or cover paper on top of the garment. So I assume my press is good to go.

Even though Josh's video doesn't show using a cover sheet some types of vinyl do require a cover sheet, most hot peal vinyl doesn't require it for the first press but it is recommended on the second pressing.....it just depends on the vinyl.

I'm looking at a small/budget sized cutter (thinking Craft Robo) to start with. But I'm a little lost as to what software and other accessories I need to start.

Aside from vinyl (obviously) I assume I'd need a weeder tool (or do they come with the cutter)?

You need to find out what software is included with the cutter, is it a trial or full version? does it have a plug-in for Corel or Illustrator? a cheap cutter may only have trial software included and might require you to spend more then the cutter cost for a full version of compatible software.

Weeders are sold separately, along with it you'll possibly need mask/transfer tape, a good squeegee, scissors, and maybe a xacto knife.

More importantly I'm not sure what software I should be using. I have Inkscape installed and wanted to have a relatively pain free experience importing my graphics/logos into the cutter software. Should I upgrade to Corel and another cutter software?

Never used Inkscape so I can't comment on it all cutters use vector graphics (Corel, Illustrator, Inkscape) so you should be alright doing your design and importing into whatever cutter software you windup with.

Hope this helps.

 

[retro_lad]

Thanks for the reply.

If I take an example from here: Mulberry Design + Print | Sign Vinyl - Application Tape - Sign Making Accessories

They supply 1 x Robo Master Software and 1 x Burnishing Tool (i assume this is the weeder).
If I'm just doing t-shirt transfers can you clarify why I'd need mask/transfer tape, and a squeegee?

 

[IYFGraphics]

Thanks for the reply.

If I take an example from here: Mulberry Design + Print | Sign Vinyl - Application Tape - Sign Making Accessories

They supply 1 x Robo Master Software and 1 x Burnishing Tool (i assume this is the weeder).
If I'm just doing t-shirt transfers can you clarify why I'd need mask/transfer tape, and a squeegee?

Sure most vinyl is cut in reverse or inverse (mirrored) if you will and goes on without any transfer tape using the carrier sheet, other vinyl is cut normally and does require transfer tape applied, the carrier sheet peeled away and then applied, this is normally decal or sign vinyl, which if you have a cutter you will want to do because it's easy work and a lot more profitable then tee shirts IMHO.

Hope this helps.

 

[retro_lad]

Thanks again.

Starting out my focus will be on t-shirts. But I'll bear your thoughts in mind regarding the tape and squeegee etc.

A final question, which may be better addressed in another section of this forum. I'm looking to print simple logos on my tees. How difficult is it to take an image and turn it into a vector file to br printed/cut? From reading various posts here it seems that a lot of people have varied experiences trying to do this.

 

[IYFGraphics]

A final question, which may be better addressed in another section of this forum. I'm looking to print simple logos on my tees. How difficult is it to take an image and turn it into a vector file to br printed/cut? From reading various posts here it seems that a lot of people have varied experiences trying to do this.

It depends......on the program your using, the complexity of the design, the type of file your starting out with, typically the simpler the design the easier it is to vectorize, there are a lot of variables that would either make it easy or very hard which is why you see posts with people asking questions.

Some of the cutter programs can take a bitmap or raster image and convert it right in the program others require that it already be a vector before you bring it into the cutter program.

Unless your creating vectors from scratch in a vector based program there is always going to be a issue in converting it to some degree. JMHO

Hope this helps.