The 2024 transfer paper- buy in or print your own debate 2024

[GoldRapt]

Hello Guru’s, business entrepreneurs, home hobbyists, new members and minions,

I am looking for opinions on the way forward in 100% cotton garment printing and other types of printing on other short run consumables.
I no longer have my oki printer (not the TMT one) my foil printers long gone and sadly I have never owned a versacamm, and probably don’t have the space.

I have a Graphtec CE 6000-60 (mk1 so no ARMS) bought in 2006, an Epson Workforce 7series using pigment ink for large format printers and a large heat press, not pneumatic and I’ll have to invest in a younger type at some stage as its over 10 years old. I also have a single screen print station for water based ink, love the feel of discharge but the garment has to be washed before being worn. My mug presses must be seized by now.
I know my way around Ai, psp, Inkscape, Gimp and Flexisign and I can knock up my own artwork without having to rely on kittle or AI (but both have their place).
So I want to start printing my own artwork on garments again, not in a rush and my business plan is to print for myself to wear to begin with and be my own walking advert and my own POD company to maintain quality. It also stops the old image thieves while I get my own art off the ground.
I have been looking at DTF as there are some wonderful transfer suppliers out there and these transfers look like the way to go but, I think they might be in the same quality bracket as laser and whilst they save on time and ink costs, jeez they cost a fortune.
Laser transfers printed in my garage was the way to go but I wonder if the process and end result have improved. I recall WOW was a ponderous, to me, process and a right pain in the gluteus maximus
Consumable wise, I think dye sub has that market but I recall someone printing quality mugs with a secret sauce that included someone’s specific laser paper.
Of course, I am looking for a quality end product, say 52 washes, which equals a year’s wear perhaps.
I wondered if you all could give me advice, and the secrets to your success, on what process to consider on my path back into garment printing and “making my fortune” so I can afford a new patio and some new plastic chairs for it.

[GoldRapt]

65 views and not a single opinion.

Everyone must be on their annual holiday

[socialgiraffe]

DTF is the only way to go on garment printing. There simply is not anything that comes even close in my opinion. Durability is considerably better than the laser transfer stuff and you will be pleasantly surprised if you decided to go down that route.

I am taking delivery of a larger and faster machine next week and will be offering trade DTF printing. If you are interested then send me a DM and once the machine is installed and running I will print some free samples of your own work for you.

[GoldRapt]

Thanks for replying Socialgiraffe. Bigger machine ? Sounds like 2024 has been a good year so far or do you buy bigger and better every year:-)

[Baldy]

Supacolour may be worth taking a look at. They now do DTF Transfers with no minimum quantity requirements. You can get a free sample pack from their website.
https://www.supacolour.co.uk/

[GoldRapt]

Thanks for the heads up Baldy, I'll check it out.

[Emily Xpres]

Hi Tony.

From reading your post I would agree that DTF would be the way forward due to its versatility. In some ways it is similar to the laser 2 paper process, however you use an adhesive powder which melts during the curing stage which is the glue. DTF compared to laser is has much better durability, better vibrancy and colour output and feels nicer on the garment.

There are a number of printers the cure ovens out there on the market. Xpres do have a range so if would like any further information on DTF as a process or the DTF printers we offer then please check out our website or feel free to give us a call. You are also more than welcome to visit our showroom in Castle Donington and have a demo on our various DTF printers.

www.xpres.co.uk

Kind Regards
Emily

[GoldRapt]

Thanks, I will do.

[Justin]

Supacolour may be worth taking a look at. They now do DTF Transfers with no minimum quantity requirements. You can get a free sample pack from their website.
https://www.supacolour.co.uk/

Local company recommended these to us today and gave us samples, samples are great but they don't appear to print by the meter? Just up to A3 and very expensive unless I've missed something?

[Baldy]

I think it's around A3 for most of their transfers due to the process they use, but the SupaDTF ones are also available in XL (550x500mm) and 1M (1000x550mm) sizes.