Heat Transfer

[Custom Threads]

Do any of you do heat transfers? If so, where do you purchase your transfer paper. Is it for light colors only or do they have a transfer for dark colors also?

[KNC Designs]

I have tried some heat transfers printed from a epson c88 printer and inks from alpha supply. The printer and ink combination does not replicate what is on the monitor,and once it is printed pressed and washed it is nothing I would sell a customer that I wanted to keep.I would only recommend it for one off ideas for a customer or to wear around the house and or shop.Look into plastisol transfers more info a t-shirtforums.com and also more info on transfers.

Curtis

[SkyLinePrints]

Pam,

I have tried over the years to work with heat transfers prior to DTG coming to market. Heat transfers used to be the only way to get one offs or small runs of shirts without screen printing. DTG changed all that.

With transfer paper, you will have a texture or "feel" to the design. Plus, you will be able to see the transfer every place you do not cut out.

Like curtis mentioned, one of the big challenges with heat transfers is getting the colors right. This takes time and many trials/errors. You have to have a calibrated monitor, tweak the printer drivers, and on and on... to actually get somethign that looks like what you see on the monitor. This calls for a dedicated printer if you want to be efficient at it. Its just not a good business model in my opinion. I still do mousepads this way since there really isnt a viable option but the colors still drive me crazy.

If you want to give it a go and I am discouraging experimenting with it, I have purchased paper from QLT http://www.qlt.com/

One other note, you didnt mention how you had planned to adhere the transfer to the fabric. I STRONGLY recommend a professional grade heat press for this activity. There is just no way to get consistent transfer with a home iron.

Good luck!