How durable are laser/ink jet transfers for tshirts?

[phoenixalpha]

I was just wondering as I'm trying out some sample tshirt runs, how durable are laser/ink jet transfers on tshirts? I've done a few now and when washing they seem to lose some vibrancy as well as after half a dozen washes start to crack/fray/lose colour/get rubbed off even when washed inside out and left to dry without tumble drying. Is this common or perhaps I'm just doing something less than correct

I've initially been trying some yolo/magic touch paper as these seem to be highly regarded. When compared to a vinyl transfer it is night and day as I still have vinyl tshirts looking as good as new from a year ago.

[cardman]

looks like vinyl is the way to go then going by what u said
Never ever done a sublim tshirt but even so i gather they gonna fade in the end as they only ink at the end of the day.

[AdamB]

I've used a few transfers and wash tested more.

I currently use the 3G papers from Yolo and print with pigment ink (this holds better on washing and doesn't fade etc).

Yolo is part of the forum - why not message them, they have just introduced some new dark papers and they are very good as they'll send you a sample sheet so you can test it. They also have sample packs on their website so you can test the complete range.

Of course - this is just what 'I' use and I'm speaking as an individual, there are many other brands and types out there from printable flex to cheaper papers.

[phoenixalpha]

I have some Yolo/Magic Touch and they have all faded/cracked to some degree or other. Admittedly I wont be able to get photo reproduction on vinyl (unless I want to use sublimation flock but that's another ball game). I have plastisol (mainly Superdry) tshirts which have cracked after half a dozen washes as well but thats just the nature of having a big plastisol 8 on yer tshirt. I was wondering if perhaps it was my tshirts that were the issue/speed of washing machine/just the nature of transfers.... or if it was something like use pigment inks instead of normal ink or if using a laser printer be aware that after half a dozen washes in a 1400 spin cycle washing machine there will probably be fading.

[AdamB]

I've tested the Yolo papers for 15 washes compared to some cheaper ebay papers and other 'very expensive' papers.

After each wash (and a 1200 spin cycle) I air them to dry (washing them inside out) and then test again.

NOT turning them inside out and also putting them in the dryer will obviously have an impact on the transfer (after all it's not bullet proof).

Ref the pigment ink - before using the pigment ink there was fading after one wash, switching to pigment solved this fade problem.

[phoenixalpha]

So you recommend an inkjet with pigment ink and yolo and not a colour laser?

[AdamB]

So you recommend an inkjet with pigment ink and yolo and not a colour laser?

I don't have a laser printer so I can't compare it I'm afraid.

I use an epson inkjet with pigment inks on Yolo papers and I'm happy with the results (so are my customers) - sorry, I can't comment on the laser bit as I don't have a laser printer I'm afraid .................... I want one, it's just that I'm still trying to figure out where to put it! (lol)

[michallatal]

AdamB: And are you using Yolo or Neenah paper? Or have you ever try and compare both of them?

[phoenixalpha]

I have a Konica Minolta and its nice and all but if it doesnt do the biz, it'll be reduced to normal printing. I will go and try and get some pigment ink and do some more test runs. I wouldnt even think of selling something I wasnt personally happy with and at the moment the colour laser isnt cutting the mustard I'm afraid... some may think otherwise - it could be that the run that I did wasnt up to much so I'll do a new comparative run with laser v pigment ink once the pigment comes in (ok so I'm making up the laser ones at the moment cause I'm impatient as hell but once the pigment starts I'll post pics of the comparisons) ie same cutter/same heat press pressure/same software/same tshirts but different methods of production - pigment v laser.

[Justin]

looks like vinyl is the way to go then going by what u said
Never ever done a sublim tshirt but even so i gather they gonna fade in the end as they only ink at the end of the day.

You should never see fading with subli shirts, think of it as dye rather than ink. Many folk will tell you, the shirt will fall to pieces before the image goes