NEED ADVICE: Printing T shirts vs quality vs durability ???

[baye]

hi guys
I am new to heat presses and got myself a swing heat press (microtec) and others e.g. mug press, cap, plate etc

However can anyone advise on

1. What t shirts are quality ( fruit of the loom) ???

2. I saw pack of 5 on ebay for £13.89. Is this a fair price

3. Are all sublimation paper the same or some better quality ?

4. What type of quality paper do we get, based on usage and how long do they tend to last ?

As I once bought one a few years ago before I got into sublimation and it lasted 6/7 washes before peeling

Kindly advise

many thanks
E

[Baldy]

Hi Baye,

Regarding t-shirts, it depends what method you're using to decorate.
For heat transfer vinyl, I tend to go for Gildan or Russell (sometimes FoTL).

For dye sublimation, you'll need either a polyester shirt (or a cotton/poly blend) although keep in mind that the image will only apply to the poly fibres leaving you with a retro/worn effect.

The Transfer Press sells Vapor sublimation t-shirts which are good quality (I'm sure others here will also have their favourites)
Absolute Apparel are also worth a look as far as clothing for decoration is concerned.

[baye]

Hi Baye,

Regarding t-shirts, it depends what method you're using to decorate.
For heat transfer vinyl, I tend to go for Gildan or Russell (sometimes FoTL).

For dye sublimation, you'll need either a polyester shirt (or a cotton/poly blend) although keep in mind that the image will only apply to the poly fibres leaving you with a retro/worn effect.

The Transfer Press sells Vapor sublimation t-shirts which are good quality (I'm sure others here will also have their favourites)
Absolute Apparel are also worth a look as far as clothing for decoration is concerned.

thank you Baldy, this has been a great help

[webtrekker]

hi guys
I am new to heat presses and got myself a swing heat press (microtec) and others e.g. mug press, cap, plate etc

However can anyone advise on

1. What t shirts are quality ( fruit of the loom) ???

2. I saw pack of 5 on ebay for £13.89. Is this a fair price

3. Are all sublimation paper the same or some better quality ?

4. What type of quality paper do we get, based on usage and how long do they tend to last ?

As I once bought one a few years ago before I got into sublimation and it lasted 6/7 washes before peeling

Kindly advise

many thanks
E

If you're talking about sublimation here, then a sublimated shirt does not 'peel.' I think you are getting mixed up between sublimation and other methods, such as heat transfers and HTV.

You can only directly sublimate to a garment containing a large proportion of polyester, preferably a white, 100% polyester garment. Other mixes of less than 100% will give a faded 'retro' look, and sublimating coloured shirts will mean that all of the white in your design will appear as the colour of the shirt, and it will also show through the semi-transparent sublimation print.