[Waken_N]

Hey guys... I'm just getting into the industry. I've been a graphic designer/ Visual FX artist for about 6 years and me and a friend decided to start a clothing line. We've been searching options for a while and original where paying a seperate company to do all our printing work.

Recently we decided to try to do our own printing for fun. After browsing around I decided on this setup but I wanted to make sure that the experts on this forum agreed with my selection and that it was everything I needed besides the Apparel to get started. I also wanted to make sure I can print anything imaginable with it... being that the reason I wanted to print proprietarily was because I was sick of being limited design wise to a 6 color silk screen printer. I want to be able to do gradients and crazyness haha. so here is the setup:


Geo Knight 16 x 20 Digital Swinger Heat Press - Free Shipping
Epson Stylus Photo 1400 InkJet Printer
JET-PRO SofStretch Inkjet Heat Transfer Paper 11" x 17" (50 sheets)
JET DARK Transfer Paper - 11" x 17" (50 sheets)
I can always order more paper I just thought 50 was enouph to do some samples and play around before making a larger order.

What do you guys think? Good to go or am I missing something?
Thanks... looking forward to being apart of the forum/ industry,
Nick

 

[Rodney]

JET-PRO SofStretch Inkjet Heat Transfer Paper 11" x 17" (50 sheets)
JET DARK Transfer Paper - 11" x 17" (50 sheets)

Just my personal opinion, but even though I've read great things about the jet pro papers, I don't think it would be suitable for someone selling their own "clothing line". Especially not opaque heat transfer paper.

being that the reason I wanted to print proprietarily was because I was sick of being limited design wise to a 6 color silk screen printer

If your goal is 6+ colors on dark garments, I would suggest that instead of buying heat transfer equipment, you outsource your printing to a Direct to Garment printer that can handle high color designs at low volumes. DTG printing will give you a better quality for retail sales than inkjet transfers (in my opinion)

You could then save up and if you decide to do it all yourself, you could invest in your own DTG printer ($15,000-$20,000+). Or you could keep outsourcing the printing and just focus on the design and marketing of your new clothing line.

 

[Waken_N]

thanks...

Even though we are making our own clothing... we will also be making worker apparel for several of our family companies. Simple logos on the front and back, etc.


What heat transfer paper would you recommend?

We will still be outsourcing stuff but I just want a little studio setup that we can print samples... etc... right after I make a design. I understand that it's not going to be full quality... I just want to get a setup for under 3gs that will get me as close as possible to a final look that we can then outsource like your recommending. If you had to make a setup like I am talking about... what would you get?