View source for T shirt printing

=Printing techniques =

[http://www.t-shirtforums.com/general-t-shirt-selling-discussion/t37985.html Pros and cons of each T-shirt printing method]

[http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-crossover-diary-heat-press-newbie/t198936.html Charles95405 has a few good things to contribute to this newbie discussion]

[http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-crossover-diary-heat-press-newbie/ Here is a forum diary of a newbie getting into the process]

[http://www.t-shirtforums.com/ T-shirtforums.com] is the standard place to start looking for information

[http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-industry-information/ The industry information] bit on T-shirt Forums is where to find information on the process of printing, pressing, etc.

== Heat Press/Inkjet/Laser printers ==

There are 2 types of paper for this:

# [https://www.google.nl/search?q=softstretch+paper&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#hl=en&client=firefox-a&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&sclient=psy-ab&q=jet-pro+sofstretch+paper&oq=jet-pro+sofstretch+paper&gs_l=serp.3..0i7i10i30j0i8i30j0i8i7i10i30j0i8i10i30.10597.10597.1.10920.1.1.0.0.0.0.86.86.1.1.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.4dFU3w-yY-M&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=d74e08ea70650bbd&bpcl=38897761&biw=2144&bih=1076 Jet-Pro Sofstretch]

# [http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-articles/t10121.html IronAll]

You are limited to white / light coloured shirts with this process. If you have white T-shirts, you can use the Sofstrech without a cutter, as the white of the paper goes into the white of the T-shirt.

There is a [http://www.tshirtsupplies.com/categories/inkjet-dark-heat-transfer-paper Jetwear IYA Iron All Dark] paper which will work on dark t-shirts, but there may be [http://www.t-shirtforums.com/inkjet-heat-transfer-paper/t190628-3.html problems with the supply].

== Vinyl ==

Unfortunately this is limited because you can only cut one colour at a time. So for multiple colours you have to cut multiple sheets of vinyl. Remember to cut the image backwards before pressing it!

It's not quite as good as Plastisol, but is high quality and has the advantage that you can use just a cutter to "print" the designs before pressing.

== Plastisol ==

Plastisol transfers are high quality heat transfer prints. You do need a very expensive printer, so it's best to send your design to a plastisol printer and they will send you the sheets back.

[http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-crossover-diary-heat-press-newbie/t13204.html Plastisol newbie guide]

[http://www.unionink.com/articles/transfer.html UnionInk] information about Plastisol. Also reverse print.

= The software =

Most people use CorelDraw as the GCC and Roland cutters have plugins for it which makes it very easy to send the cutting information

= The printer  and ink =

Epson seems to be the way to go. It's important you use a pigment based ink, like the [http://www.epson.co.uk/gb/en/viewcon/corporatesite/cms/index/29 Epson DURABrite Ultra] line, because it's waterproof. You do have to be careful, as it will clog your printerheads if you don't use the printer often enough. However, Epson original inks are expensive, so people recommend using Cobra or any other ink that is pigment based and compatible with the printer.

The WorkForce [http://www.epson.co.uk/gb/en/viewcon/corporatesite/products/mainunits/overview/11149 WF-7515] seems to be the printer of choice and should be compatible with the DURABrite Ultra ink.

[http://www.t-shirtforums.com/inkjet-heat-transfer-paper/t191075.html More info on the printer]

There's also something about a CIS

= The cutter =

You need a cutter to cut away the stuff around the graphic or you will have a white background on the t-shirt.

The [http://www.rolanddga.com/products/cutters/gx24/ Roland GX-24] is the dog's bollocks of cutters, but very expensive ($2095,-).

The [http://www.gccworld.com/product.php?MODEL=Expert%2024%20LX GCC 24-LX] is fine to begin with and 

The [http://www.rolanddga.com/products/cutters/stika/ Roland Stika-15] is another good startup cutter.

These cutters can be used for heat transfer paper, plastisol and vinyl

It's useful if the cutter has an optical eye, so it can position itself using printed registration marks. Try to make sure your design has an edge that is the same colour as the underlying fabric - this allows the design to blend in much better.

= The Heat Press =

They come in several types and sizes.

[http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-crossover-diary-heat-press-newbie/t9682.html 5 tips: how to select which heat press to buy]

[http://www.t-shirtforums.com/t-shirt-articles/t27945.html How to choose the Right Heat Press to fit your needs]

[http://www.t-shirtforums.com/heat-presses-equipment/t201355-2.html Best heat press under $800,-]

NB make sure it has a temperature + pressure gauge

Pressing is a bit of an art. You have to experiment with pre-heating, heating temperatures and pressure settings

[http://www.t-shirtforums.com/heat-press-heat-transfers/t4942.html How to measure the proper heat pressure]