Vector or Raster - Print help

2013 Views 8 Replies 3 Participants Last post by TWINkiesMommy, Jun 17, 2010

TWINkiesMommy

Discussion Starter · Jun 17, 2010

I'm very familiar with working in photoshop and what is required for web, but I am new to the world of printing.

I noticed that many of the printers I'm looking at for transfers want the artwork to be vectorized in Illustrator (of which I have minimal experience using and a very basic knowledge). Some of my images won't work as a vector and need to be raster because of photo like qualities.

Most of my artwork is done as .psd at 300dpi, and saved in layers. Can all printers work with me and just don't want to or want to collect the conversion fee or are there certain printers I should be working with that have the proper equipment? Our budget doesn't allow for conversion since I thought I'd be able to do the artwork myself, or later get it print ready directly from a designer.

I'm looking to get custom transfers done but I'm learning that for it to be cost effective you need to purchase 10 - 20 sheets all of which have to be the same design. I just don't need that many yet. Any thoughts or recommendations?

(Reposted from old thread.)

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whimsywhit

· #2 · Jun 17, 2010

Is your artwork done in black and white, or color?
Yes, there has to be some sort of conversion done, or separation if you have colors.
I wouldn't mind taking a look at your art to be able to give you a better answer.

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bungy

· #3 · Jun 17, 2010

TWINkiesMommy said:
I'm very familiar with working in photoshop and what is required for web, but I am new to the world of printing.

I noticed that many of the printers I'm looking at for transfers want the artwork to be vectorized in Illustrator (of which I have minimal experience using and a very basic knowledge). Some of my images won't work as a vector and need to be raster because of photo like qualities.

Most of my artwork is done as .psd at 300dpi, and saved in layers. Can all printers work with me and just don't want to or want to collect the conversion fee or are there certain printers I should be working with that have the proper equipment? Our budget doesn't allow for conversion since I thought I'd be able to do the artwork myself, or later get it print ready directly from a designer.

I'm looking to get custom transfers done but I'm learning that for it to be cost effective you need to purchase 10 - 20 sheets all of which have to be the same design. I just don't need that many yet. Any thoughts or recommendations?

(Reposted from old thread.)

Seeing you don't want many at any one time - yet.
And your budget doesn't allow for conversion to vector art.
I would look at DTG printing as an option.
Then they can print directly from your art (as long as it is to size).

There are some limitations as to the type of garment you can print on using this method. BUt shouldn't be a problem.

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TWINkiesMommy

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 17, 2010

Most of it is in black & white though I'd like to be able to have my logo printed too which is color with gradients.

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TWINkiesMommy

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 17, 2010

I've done some research and DTG won't work for my needs. I have a heat press I'd like to make use of.

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whimsywhit

· #6 · Jun 17, 2010

Also, is it something that could be done with heat transfers, the iron kind that you get from Office Depot or Hobby Lobby? Ok, before everyone boos me, hear me out. We've actually done some good things with them before. If you have your exact-o knife and a steady hand, and your printer prints vibrant colors, it CAN look good. You just have to adjust your colors on screen to look the way you want them to on colored tees. For example, if you have red or green or royal, they will appear darker on a red shirt than they would on white. If you can brighten or lighten your colors, it don't appear so dark. We don't print less than 24 shirts, and I have been able to assist people in the past to get what they want without having to order 24.

Also, it IS possible for a screenprinter to make just a sheet of transfers, for a fee. The set up is the hardest part, and for most printers, to burn the screens and set up the job, they make absolutely nothing unless their minimum is met, therefore it won't be worth their time to do just one. If you find a printer who's really nice, and you are really nice to them, they may give you a hand.

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TWINkiesMommy

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 17, 2010

whimsywhit said:
Also, is it something that could be done with heat transfers, the iron kind that you get from Office Depot or Hobby Lobby?

That's not an option for me. We tried making some of those when I first started designing... just for us to wear. And they were terrible, and they wash horribly. I don't think my printer (which isn't working right now) is good enough for that kind of output. That could have been my problem, I don't know, but I don't want to sell cheap quality.

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bungy

· #8 · Jun 17, 2010

TWINkiesMommy said:
I've done some research and DTG won't work for my needs.

What part doesn't work for you?

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TWINkiesMommy

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 17, 2010

bungy said:
What part doesn't work for you?

I would either need to have the equipment myself or outsource it. Having the equipment isn't an option, and outsourcing it would create too long of a fulfillment delay, not to mention the profit margin would be much lower for me. I don't think DTG printers like to print one t-shirt every now and then. We are just getting started and don't have the traffic for more yet. My store is a very niche market and so there just aren't many stock transfers that match our theme.

Our t-shirts are maternity, parent, or child related. Many of which are specifically for multiples - twins, triplets, etc.

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