Laser Transfer vs Sublimation

[Magic7]

Hi guys and girls, as some of you are aware, I'm keen to start up a small business printing and selling Christian-based t-shirts.
I'm on a very tight budget, and so (at least for the time being) cannot afford the white laser printer and large heat press set-up that I desire:redface:

If I give examples of the designs I have in mind, could some of you more experienced members please advise me on which route YOU would go down, ie, heat transfer or sub?

my intended designs fall into two categories.

simple artwork such as this (click on thumbnail):


and digital imaging such as this (not my own work):



Heat transfer would allow for detailed images/artwork on cotton t-shirts, but from what I've read the transfers can fade and crack quite quickly. Soft stretch transfer paper could go some way to allieviating this. Likewise, yolo do some cool, albeit expensive, transfer paper for dark and black garments. But I'm wondering if laser transfer is more for hobbyists than someone with a genuine aspiration to make money?

Sublimation, from what I gather, produces a more comfortable garment and a permanent design. But intricate detail and photo imaging would be out, and so would using 100% cotton. A possible way around this would be to purchase cotton t-shirts with an outer polyester coating for sublimation (anyone tried these?).

I'm looking to find a way into the printing business in order that I can make enough cash to invest in white laser printer:biggrin:

I need to make a decision on this and my head is in a right ole spin. Many of you have been round the block (so to speak) and made a few mistakes along the way.
Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

cheers, magic7

[Renniwano]

One thing to also remember is that you can only sublimate onto white or light coloured garments..

[Magic7]

Forgot to mention - I'm quite surprised at the quality of work by this guy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvnoSO9CE6k) using just a basic inkjet printer and small heat press to transfer his images. Seems like a very unorthadox, and yet basic, set-up.
His t-shirts can be seen here: http://www.jsquared-designs.com/gallery.html
He's raving about UniTranz heat transfers. Has anyone tried these out?

[Magic7]

One thing to also remember is that you can only sublimate onto white or light coloured garments..

which is why I need a white laser printer

[rossdv8]

Hi again Magic 7,

The second pic (proverbs) is a perfect candidate for sublimation, Both will work, but the second one has such vibrant colours. You will probably lose a lot of the vibrancy with laser transfer. Have another look at my links below and look at the orange 'sunrise' pic. The differences between the sublimated one and the transfer paper one are blindingly obvious, even if the colours are more or less similar.

If your browser has tabs, just open each image in its own tab then switch from one to the other. One is printed with the ink supplied with the Brother Inkjet. One was printed with Dye Sub ink from the same model printer. Neither image was changed or enhanced, because at this stage I knew nothing at all about profiles etc. Still don't really.

I suppose it gives you some idea of the difference between ordinary printing and Dye Sub printing colour differences 'before' you install a power driver or ICC profiles.

Most of the shirts were printed in January and I decided to take pics in Feb. By then all were being washed and work regularly.

I live in the tropics and hate dark shirts, but if you like them, look at heat press using opaque transfer paper. It has a white background that you print over. Works great. JetPro SofStretch is my favourite heat transfer paper because no matter what I do to it, it seems like the ink is printed on the shirt after a few washes. Everyone has their favourite. Test a few. You will have fun.

If you haven't already bought a sublimation printer, why not experiment with an inkjet on heat transfer paper first. Heat Transfer paper - even JetPro- is dirt cheap and you can use the ink that came with your printer initially. All you wil lbe buying is a flat heat press. I got a cheapo second hand for my first press. Then bought a really nice Insta Press than is 20 years old and needed greasing.

After that I discovered Dye Sub and bought the second printer, refillable cartridges and begged some dye sub ink at cost from someone with a wide format printer.

Cheers,

RossD and Jo.

http://www.rossdevitt.com/whitsundays/s ... 4x768.html

http://www.rossdevitt.com/whitsundays/shirts/web_SAM_1187-1024x768.html

Both shirts had been washed repeatedly (like more than ten times but less than 20) in hot water with detergent, and tumbled dry hot by the time the pics were taken.

[mrs maggot]

get hold of yolo on here, for some of their transfer papers, they were doing a sample pack and have a play.