Can anyone give me an exact list of what is needed to actually start making shirts via heat transfer? I know many of the things needed but most sites offer packages without one or more needed pieces. I have bought nothing as of yet. I am starting this as a hobby but I hope to grow it into a business one day, so if anyone has any suggestions of which press to buy that would be appreciated as well! Also, are most printers able to do the printing needed with the proper ink, or do I need to seek out a printer specifically for heat transfers?
What is needed to start Heat Transfers
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What kind of heat transfers do you want to do exactly?
The basic thing you need would be a heat press.
If you are doing inkjet transfers, then you would need something like an epson printer (you need a printer that uses pigment ink) and inkjet transfer paper.
If you were doing plastisol transfers, then you'd just need the heat press and the designs and you'd send the designs to a company to make the transfers for you.
The basic thing you need would be a heat press.
If you are doing inkjet transfers, then you would need something like an epson printer (you need a printer that uses pigment ink) and inkjet transfer paper.
If you were doing plastisol transfers, then you'd just need the heat press and the designs and you'd send the designs to a company to make the transfers for you.
Any brand name press would be good to grow with. Hotronix, Hix, etc. Check out the various specials offered by our preferred vendors for some good deals on equipment and supplies.
Nugget,
What kind of budget do you have? The Heat presses Rodney talks about are around $1,000 US Dollars.
You can buy a used one of course, and if it's a good company like Hotronix, they'll last a while.
Also what are you going to make, t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, cups, hats, plates? If so, you need a press for each one, or one that can do them all.
You can also google heat press or search on ebay and find someone selling a low cost one. You might want to do both if you can afford it. Than at least you'll have a back up.
Along with the heat press, you need blank transfer paper for your own designs, or you can buy pre-made designs from individuals or from companies like Proworld, Alpha Supply, and Art Brands. I'm sure some of the other suppliers offer the same thing.
A good Idea would be to go to a Trade Show so you can see all the equipment and supplies. When you buy the better equipment, they sometimes have classes for you to attend. Sometimes there free, and other times it's like $50 per class including lunch. Well, not always lunch, but you get the drift.
Watch some of the free videos on YouTube. Search for, What I need to Heat Press, or How to Use a Heat Press. Then call the owner or saleman. Tell him or her what your budget is and they'll get you going.
What kind of budget do you have? The Heat presses Rodney talks about are around $1,000 US Dollars.
You can buy a used one of course, and if it's a good company like Hotronix, they'll last a while.
Also what are you going to make, t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, cups, hats, plates? If so, you need a press for each one, or one that can do them all.
You can also google heat press or search on ebay and find someone selling a low cost one. You might want to do both if you can afford it. Than at least you'll have a back up.
Along with the heat press, you need blank transfer paper for your own designs, or you can buy pre-made designs from individuals or from companies like Proworld, Alpha Supply, and Art Brands. I'm sure some of the other suppliers offer the same thing.
A good Idea would be to go to a Trade Show so you can see all the equipment and supplies. When you buy the better equipment, they sometimes have classes for you to attend. Sometimes there free, and other times it's like $50 per class including lunch. Well, not always lunch, but you get the drift.
Watch some of the free videos on YouTube. Search for, What I need to Heat Press, or How to Use a Heat Press. Then call the owner or saleman. Tell him or her what your budget is and they'll get you going.
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