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What do I need to start making T-shirts?
Okay well I went a bought my first plotter last weekend, not the best of the best but it will do until I can afford a new one. Anyway I was discussing what else to do with my husband and we want to get into sublimation as there is a market for it here and no one is doing it for some odd reason. So my question is what all would I need to start doing t-shirts? Do I just need just a heat press or is there more to it? Any information on this subject that you can give me would be great, THANKS!!
Stephanie
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17 Replies
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If you want to do sublimation tee’s you will need the correct tee’s, heatpress, sublimation printer and ink and subli paper.
Other options are inkjet/laser transfers on normal tee’s
Or cut heat transfer vinyl.Dave
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Oh okay that’s good to know, thanks for that information David.
What kind of T-Shirts are the right ones??
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You will need a tee with a high polyester content.
something like this http://www.xpres.co.uk/garments/subli_t … sublit.php
This is the draw back of sublimation its great for most things but for tee’s its not the best imo.
Dave
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you don’t need polyester at all with the laser type set-ups, the toner itself is polyester, so does away with the need for the t-shirt to be poly,
HUgh
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Ugh, polyester, not what I would want to wear,
go for cotton or high cotton content every time.Peter
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Definatly Peter As i said thats the downside to subli would never use it on Tee’s myself i use the laser/solvent or cut vinyl route. On 100% cotton.
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Steph John Thomson made a good post about this a couple of weeks age really comprehensive about equipment etc. well worth a look.
Lynn
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Okay thanks for all that information, I’ve decided that I want to go the cut vinyl and laser route, seems like the best option for what I want to be doing.
Okay thanks for that tip Lynn will go and have a look at that topic.
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What hasnt been mentioned is that sublimation Tees, especially Xpres ones are double layered, the polyester is on the outside and they are cotton on the inside, its also why you can print right onto them without using a sheet inside the shirt.
they look and feel very nice, Ive had one in my shop window for a year now and not even a slight bit of fading and its in direct sunlight for a few hours a day.
The laser toner route is acceptable, but the toner stays on top of the fabric rather than in the shirt, therefore making it not so hard wearing.
But for T shirt printing you cannot beat screens.
simple as that. -
But for T shirt printing you cannot beat screens.
simple as that.:yes1: :yes1: :yes1: :yes1:
Peter
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quote Peter Mindham:But for T shirt printing you cannot beat screens.
simple as that.:yes1: :yes1: :yes1: :yes1:
Peter
plug was that mate??? lol 😀 😀
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Thanks for all the information guys, I think I have it all figured out now.
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I have just one other question about this, do I need the shirt to be mostly polyester when going to cut route?? Or does it not matter for cutting what kind of shirt I use?
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na, cotton is fine. though the same material can go on polyester too in most cases.
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Steph if you are going cut vinyl & heat press route cotton would be better,
Lynn
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Okay cool, just wanted to make sure before I started to buy some things. Thanks for letting me know.
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Buy the heat press and cutter first, then work from there. I bought a full Xpres Package and although I cant fault it I do wish I had learned the processes one at a time.
Subli and Cut Vinyl cant even be compared when it comes to working methods.
Im new to it all but im happy to give you help if I can.
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