Temp for t-shirts

[frazzle]

After getting good advice for printing mugs that i received from this forum, would like to ask another question, what is the best temp and time for printing t-shirts, and can i use the same paper that i used for the mugs.

A big thank you to all that helped me print the mugs can now get a great looking mug.

[Paul]

you can start form 185C for 60sec.

[frazzle]

you can start form 185C for 60sec.

thanks paul

[WorthDoingRight]

You can only use sublimation inks and paper on polyester shirts. If your shirts are cotton then you will need a different transfer altogether (and in all honesty a different pigment ink printer).

[quasar]

I use flex on my t shirts and that is 180 for 25 seconds, but they are cotton tshirts

[frazzle]

I use flex on my t shirts and that is 180 for 25 seconds, but they are cotton tshirts

the shirts i have are cotton, i used the same paper as the mugs and it came faint, so what is flex had a look on some sites but it just looked like coloured material

[quasar]

I use hot flex from a company, I'm not sure I can mention the name, but it is on sticky plastic and you use a cutter to cut the design out and then you press it on. ( after you got rid of the bits that aren't in the pattern)

[frazzle]

I use hot flex from a company, I'm not sure I can mention the name, but it is on sticky plastic and you use a cutter to cut the design out and then you press it on. ( after you got rid of the bits that aren't in the pattern)

Do you print on it first then cut it out then heat press it.

[WorthDoingRight]

Hot flex is normally a thin coloured film that you cut your shape or design out of and then heat press on to shirts. Normally it is possible to lay up to 4 layers of flex so it is not used for photographic or high colour designs. Photographic designs need to be printed onto a transfer that you then contor cut to just leave the design which is then heat pressed onto shirts.
There is a flock material called subliflock that you first sublimate your image onto then heat press onto items (BMS) sells this amongst others. Also Simon (Socialgiraffe) I believe has the ability to print a full colour design onto a flex that can then be heat pressed onto a shirt. There are also a few other methods such as the chromablast ink system and Direct-To-Garment (DTG) systems available.

[frazzle]

This is getting a bit complicated for me, i was on the understanding when i bought this gear it was just like doing mugs, but with a different paper which the site where i bought all the gear did not have any in stock.

Will need to think hard about these t-shirts as to if i carry on or just cut my losses and scrap the lot.