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I am doing some decals for a local business. They have been getting them from a guy that does them on photo transfer paper. He has a colorcam but I don't know if he uses it or if he prints them off a regular printer using photo paper. He does cut them by hand so it makes me think he is using a regular printer. Would anyone like to enlighten me on the colorcam? Also I have an Epson 1270 that does great pictures and I can use it to do heat transfers. Which should I use the Edge or my Epson 1270?
posted
The ColorCamm is a what I call a "poor man's version of the Gerber Edge". (no slight intended)
Both the ColorCamm and the Edge have "wax" ribbons that can be printed on to a specially treated paper so that the image can be heatpressed onto a garment. Usually, the garment has to be white or a very light color.
Any inkjet printer can be used to make heat transfers as well. A specially treated paper is available at any office supply store or Walmart. The ink is deposited onto the paper by the printer. Then the paper is pressed onto the garment by the heatpress. The heat from the press melts the special coating which then encapsulates the ink and the fabric. The only problem is that this form of heat transfer is not very durable. It is usually very stiff and will crack and peel after a period of time.
Another option is sublimation. For more information on this, go to... www.sublimation.com. Sublimation provides a more durable and softer print, but it also has it's limitations.
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Cynthia, Since you already have a Epson printer you might check out JBL Graphics at http://www.jblgraphics.com/ they offer a ink/transfer paper combo that works very well, colors don't run, minimal fading, very little hand to the transfer when pressed, after a couple of washings you can barely feel the transfer on the shirt. You can also get sublimation inks for your Epson, http://www.tropicalgraphics.com/ with sublimation your print will never fade or peel, absolutley no hand, the sublimation inks actually dye the fabric. You are restricted to using poly shirts though. With either the inkjet or sublimation you can only use white or light colored shirts.
-------------------- Mark Perkins Performance Signs & Graphics Eunice, Louisiana "The heart of Cajun Country" Posts: 506 | From: Eunice Louisiana 70535 | Registered: Nov 1998
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You can now do inkjet transfers on dark colored shirts thanks to Avery and other companies producing special transfer paper to do it.
Transfers won't crack if you pre-wash (pre-shrink) the tees BEFORE applying the transfer, and also using more pressure while applying makes the coating and ink bond with the fabric better.
Washing inside out increases the life expectancy of the transfers.
Above all, it's JUST A T-SHIRT!
Tee shirts are cheap and everyone knows it. I've never had one last longer than 6 months before it needed to be taken out of "the public eye" and retired into my "around the house" or "work shirt" pile... and that's just a solid color tee with no printing whatsoever!
When you can get Hanes Beefy T's blanks at $3 a pop or less, I don't see the reasoning behind agonizing over making a print that's going to last forever - the t-shirt sure won't last that long!
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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to each his own... I don't like to take my shirts into the public eye until they are a month old
My favorit T-shirt is a 7 yr. old Rick Griffin flying eyeball design I took snowboarding on the summit of Mauna Kea the day after geting fired from my last sign job (after stopping to get my tax licence)
I wear my edge printed Island Sign shirts for a year or two & am very happy with how they hold up.
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Thanks everyone for your input. I do have an Epson 1280 that is used only for dyesub. The business is not looking for a shirt that is that nice. Cost to me is $5.00 for a softlink delivered to my business. Anyone get a better price than that PLEASE let me know. Also they are looking for a shirt they can make some money on and still sell for $15.00. I figure I can't sell a dyesub to them for less than $12.00 because my cost is around $10.00. That is why I am really thinking of using my Epson 1270 and heat transfer paper. I can sell them a shirt for $10.00 and then they can sell them for $15.00. If I use the Edge, my cost is around $9.00 and is much more labor intensive. They will last longer I know. I can also use smartblock and put it on dark colored shirts but I also have the injet paper to use the epson 1270 and put on dark shirts. The epson prints I can make more money on and it takes less time and that also makes me more money. I guess maybe I am just being greedy but I would like to make money, give them a product that is equal in quality, and give them the same price they have been paying for shirts. Is that asking too much?
Just for the record, where it is chisled in stone that you HAVE to be cheaper and better? Why not settle for just being better?
Tell the customer... "I am sorry I can't do those shirts cheaper and match the quality. My equipment limits me to producing a better product than what your supplier is now giving you. I can, however, offer you a far superior product for only $2.00 (or whatever the figure may be) more than you are paying now."
Better and cheaper are two words that are rarely found together in a sentence as adjectives describing a product. Offering better products, better service, and better design will put you ahead of your competition.
Have a great one!
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6464 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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Glenn and Bruce, you are exactly right. You gave me the idea to print a dyesub and then do a decal and let them decide. Myself, I love the dyesub shirts. They are so comfortable and last so much longer as does the print. You never have to iron a dyesub and they always look neat. I am selling a lot of dyesubs with pictures of drivers cars at the local dragway. They love the feel of the shirts and they don't hesitate on the price. One side picture for $20.00. As always I get so many ideas and gain so much knowledge from this web site. Thanks again everyone.
-------------------- Cynthia Pack 246 Diamondview Loop Galax, Va. 24333 Posts: 659 | From: Galax, Virginia USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Cynthia, Have you tried the shirts from Brookline? They are 100% poly, they call it moisture wicking material, they are much cooler than the soft links and come in white,ash grey,sky blue,maize,bright orange and few more. You will have to adjust your colors depending on the color of the shirt. The orange is so bright that only black will work well. They are in the same price range as the soft links.
-------------------- Mark Perkins Performance Signs & Graphics Eunice, Louisiana "The heart of Cajun Country" Posts: 506 | From: Eunice Louisiana 70535 | Registered: Nov 1998
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Mark, I got from ink and paper from JBL and I love that stuff. The owner called me the day afterI emailed at night and I was very impressed with his willingness to help. He has my business on the inks and tranfer paper. I just wish he had Dye Sub. I'm really upset with PRINT-ON-IT. The cartridge is still leaking and I put this new ink and paper from JBL and it worked great. I guess he just lost a customer because because it he his cartridge and not machine and he won't make it right. Thank goodness I didn't get a bulk system from them. I almost ordered it last week instead of another cartridge. Money was tight was the only reason. God works in misterous ways. Thanks again for everyones help.
-------------------- Cynthia Pack 246 Diamondview Loop Galax, Va. 24333 Posts: 659 | From: Galax, Virginia USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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