HISTORY:
We are replacing our Roland SP300v with a mimaki ucjv300 so that we can expand into a wider market. However, we do not want to loose the capability to do print and cut type t-shirts. We also from time to time may need to cut (none printable vinyl). I wouldn't want to put that in the uv printer. We would probably get a stand alone cutter (that can read crop marks) to do vinyl and cut thing we print from the ucjv300. We are a home based business so we do not have a lot of space for a lot of different machines. We are installing a ventilation system in the area the machine will be in (which isn't in the main area of the house).
ISSUE:
We will like the ability to do full color t-shirts here and there and are trying to figure a low cost way to continue doing t-shirts.
I have seen a lot of talk about doing t-shirts on a uv printer isn't good because it can't cure correctly on the fibers of the shirt and that the inks are toxic and irritating to skin. Then I have seen a few videos about a media now being sold that can be printed on using an uv printer and pressed onto shirts. Anyone using such a media and/or have knowledge this method? I wouldn't want to offer something that could seep through and cause irritation/harm to a customer. I only do a few shirts here and there so I really don't want to buy a new eco solvent printer (possibly a Roland table top BN-20 printer $7,000) to only do a few shirts here and there.
I have been considering adding a table top DTF printer (possibly a prestige A3 R printer and table top dryer/vent system) as from my research the company selling it offers lots of training/support. However, I hear DTF is a learning curve and high maintenance. I only do a few shirts but expect that to increase. I don't want to add something right now that is high maintenance especially until we learn how to use our uv printer. I have been sourcing out to a DTF printer but they don't look vibrancy. They have me gang the jobs but to me that doesn't address the needs of each different job (color profiling, vibrancy, etc.). I also can't be sure of color consistency as they change their color profiles from time to time. While the transfers are sellable it's not what I would offer if I had control of the process.
All said, I am trying to determine if uv printed t-shirts are a possibility using a t-shirt media. Are others doing it? Should it be a concern about shirts printed using a t-shirt media (seeping through garments), etc? We are looking for a low cost option as we've already splurged on the ucjv300. Any additional purchase of equipment isn't really in the budget.
Finally, those doing latex printed t-shirts. Could that pose an allergy response for those with latex allergies? I am not familiar with technology but have heard of people with latex allergies. Do want to offer something that would harm those with allergies.
Thank you for any suggestions.
We are replacing our Roland SP300v with a mimaki ucjv300 so that we can expand into a wider market. However, we do not want to loose the capability to do print and cut type t-shirts. We also from time to time may need to cut (none printable vinyl). I wouldn't want to put that in the uv printer. We would probably get a stand alone cutter (that can read crop marks) to do vinyl and cut thing we print from the ucjv300. We are a home based business so we do not have a lot of space for a lot of different machines. We are installing a ventilation system in the area the machine will be in (which isn't in the main area of the house).
ISSUE:
We will like the ability to do full color t-shirts here and there and are trying to figure a low cost way to continue doing t-shirts.
I have seen a lot of talk about doing t-shirts on a uv printer isn't good because it can't cure correctly on the fibers of the shirt and that the inks are toxic and irritating to skin. Then I have seen a few videos about a media now being sold that can be printed on using an uv printer and pressed onto shirts. Anyone using such a media and/or have knowledge this method? I wouldn't want to offer something that could seep through and cause irritation/harm to a customer. I only do a few shirts here and there so I really don't want to buy a new eco solvent printer (possibly a Roland table top BN-20 printer $7,000) to only do a few shirts here and there.
I have been considering adding a table top DTF printer (possibly a prestige A3 R printer and table top dryer/vent system) as from my research the company selling it offers lots of training/support. However, I hear DTF is a learning curve and high maintenance. I only do a few shirts but expect that to increase. I don't want to add something right now that is high maintenance especially until we learn how to use our uv printer. I have been sourcing out to a DTF printer but they don't look vibrancy. They have me gang the jobs but to me that doesn't address the needs of each different job (color profiling, vibrancy, etc.). I also can't be sure of color consistency as they change their color profiles from time to time. While the transfers are sellable it's not what I would offer if I had control of the process.
All said, I am trying to determine if uv printed t-shirts are a possibility using a t-shirt media. Are others doing it? Should it be a concern about shirts printed using a t-shirt media (seeping through garments), etc? We are looking for a low cost option as we've already splurged on the ucjv300. Any additional purchase of equipment isn't really in the budget.
Finally, those doing latex printed t-shirts. Could that pose an allergy response for those with latex allergies? I am not familiar with technology but have heard of people with latex allergies. Do want to offer something that would harm those with allergies.
Thank you for any suggestions.
