heat transfer paper printing at home or HTV for shirts

[Pippin Decals]

I have ZERO knowledge in this area so i hope (you know it all's lol) can help steer the correct path for me lol.



I am looking into getting into shirts maybe and i came across a article online that talked about printing at home on transfer paper etc. I did tests with the walmart junk which i new it was not gonna be top quality lol but just wanted to see the process of it.



So what is the best way to go about this, I have seen numerous videos of people doing transfer paper with awesome results that last and some that well last a maybe a couple months after washing a few times if the design made it that long. I want it to last at least a few years or more. I have a new hp8600 premium printer that uses pigment ink hp950 and 951 and thought about getting the tank system for it ?...or what affordable printer to start with do u suggest for doing this?



... OR should i go with the HTV. I have heard the HTV can be a little stiff depending on design..i know i need to get a heat press which i have seen tons and not sure what is the best to start with or something that will do its job and not cost a fortune for now . i have no problem upgrading later on it.. For the transfer paper or htv style I just want something great to sell not just ok to sell..Thank you everyone for your advice.

 

[BIG EASY DOES IT]

I have ZERO knowledge in this area so i hope (you know it all's lol) can help steer the correct path for me lol.



I am looking into getting into shirts maybe and i came across a article online that talked about printing at home on transfer paper etc. I did tests with the walmart junk which i new it was not gonna be top quality lol but just wanted to see the process of it.



So what is the best way to go about this, I have seen numerous videos of people doing transfer paper with awesome results that last and some that well last a maybe a couple months after washing a few times if the design made it that long. I want it to last at least a few years or more. I have a new hp8600 premium printer that uses pigment ink hp950 and 951 and thought about getting the tank system for it ?...or what affordable printer to start with do u suggest for doing this?



... OR should i go with the HTV. I have heard the HTV can be a little stiff depending on design..i know i need to get a heat press which i have seen tons and not sure what is the best to start with or something that will do its job and not cost a fortune for now . i have no problem upgrading later on it.. For the transfer paper or htv style I just want something great to sell not just ok to sell..Thank you everyone for your advice.

Get a job in the business and figure it out. If you don't want a job. Find somebody that does it and tell them you will work for free just to learn the job.

 

[BigfishDM]

It might be best to just outsource, so many T-Shirt companies out there that can get you great pricing.

 

[WildWestDesigns]

Longevity is usually measured in washes. Wash it more, lasts less etc (for transfers that are applied to the top of the substrate anyway), especially depending on some detergents used, some are higher in bleach that can cause fading quicker. Tide (at least at one time) is really bad about higher concentrations of bleach. Wrecked havoc on embroidery thread if you weren't careful what type of thread you were using.

As far as my favorite transfer type, that would be sublimation. It's actually dyeing the fabric, so unless you are pouring the bleach to it, it's going to last as long as the substrate does. Cons are it can be pretty expensive, because it's dyeing the fabric, it needs to be light colors or start off with a white garment and you print the entire thing and can make it to a dark shirt if need be. Also, it has to be polyester fabric due to the actual chemical reaction that takes place when you press it. Blends, at best, would look like distressed (faded) designs after washing since the ink wouldn't have bonded with the fabric.

 

[Pippin Decals]

Thank you Bigfish And Wildwest for your info.. For your INFO to the first guys response , I run a vinyl decal and Photography company as well and was looking into the tshirt for just play. I thought this group was for people needing help or wanting to learn more info on things, not get thrown under the bus and bickered at. If i get kicked off this forum so be it, i am part of others that off good help like bigfish and wildwest did,BUT dont treat people like **** cause you think your all big and bad because someone is asking a simple question about something.. Once again i THANK YOU Bigfish and Wildwest for you kind info....You are true men wanting to help others in need or advice..

 

[BIG EASY DOES IT]

Thank you Bigfish And Wildwest for your info.. For your INFO to the first guys response , I run a vinyl decal and Photography company as well and was looking into the tshirt for just play. I thought this group was for people needing help or wanting to learn more info on things, not get thrown under the bus and bickered at. If i get kicked off this forum so be it, i am part of others that off good help like bigfish and wildwest did,BUT dont treat people like **** cause you think your all big and bad because someone is asking a simple question about something.. Once again i THANK YOU Bigfish and Wildwest for you kind info....You are true men wanting to help others in need

I don' understand I thought it was helpful. If you want to learn something then do it. Just based on your questions you don't know enough about it. It's not just a press and a printer. It's the material! the process of multi colors on light or dark garments! Are you just going to do big blocks....no so you would need a plotter with the capabilities to cut it. There is a lot that it seemed you didn't know and the best way to learn a new business is to work in the business. Even if you start a Baskin Robbins you would say I know how to scoop ice cream.... well the owners still go through 2 weeks of cleaning floors and ice cream bins at a standard shop.

Sorry my answer wasn't what you were looking for when you asked how to start a new business. PS. vinyl on a tshirt will last longer then walmarts transfer crap.

 

[rjssigns]

We run Eco-Print from Imprintables on our Roland. Prints great and cuts like "butta". Folks at Imprintables are top notch too. They take the time to answer my dumb questions.

Note: We only use Eco-Print for short runs or doing comps. Large orders get subbed out to a screen/dye sub specialist.

 

[Pippin Decals]

Sorry Big Easy.. Yesterday was not a good day to be on the computer. I got bad news about a family member Passing away and it just spun me .. Thanks for the info...I just read it wrong at the time...Thank you everyone..

 

[BigfishDM]

Sorry Big Easy.. Yesterday was not a good day to be on the computer. I got bad news about a family member Passing away and it just spun me .. Thanks for the info...I just read it wrong at the time...Thank you everyone..

Sorry to hear about your loss.