| HOW TO IMPRINT T-SHIRTS WITH DIGITAL TRANSFERS |
Imprinting T-shirts with digital transfers offer significant advantages over other decorating processes. First, there is no limit to the number of colors that can be used. Even full-color photos can be easily imprinted with vibrant results. Secondly, there is no screen set-ups involved so custom imprinting even one T-shirt can be profitable as well as cost effective for your customers.
There are Four primary ways to create a digital transfer for application onto sportswear, T-shirts, aprons and mouse pads:
-
CopyJet transfers are the most economical and effective way to transfer any graphic onto 100% cotton or 50/50 blended fabrics using an ink-jet printer. The investment is low since you can use the regular OEM inks that come with your ink jet printer. Print durability can be significantly increased when sublimation inks are used with the CopyJet transfer paper and transferred onto 50/50 blend fabrics or 100% cotton.
-
Color Laser Copier (CLC) transfers are made with a Color Laser Copier and our CLC Paper. They require a color copier or a color laser printer but can not be used with an ink jet printer. CLC paper can also be used to prep a shirt for use with sublimation ink. Ideal for printing 100% cotton, 5050/ blend T-shirts, mouse pads, fabric puzzles, and aprons.
-
Sublimation transfers create incredibly vibrant prints on 100% polyester fabric and there is absolutely no feel to the print. This is the best and most durable print for any 100% polyester fabric. Sublimation should not be used on 100% cotton fabrics but can be used with 50/50 blended fabrics if the sublimation ink is printed onto CopyJet paper instead of the normal sublimation paper.
-
ChromaBlast transfers are designed for vibrant long lasting prints on 100% cotton fabric. The ChromaBlast system involves a special ink and paper combination that chemically bonds with cotton for excellent print durability. This process requires a dedicated Epson or Ricoh printer (ie. Ricoh 7000 or 3300N) that is outfitted with special ChromaBlast inks and paper.
 |
|
CopyJet Transfer Paper: |
|
|
CopyJet transfer paper is the most economical and effective way to transfer any computer graphic image, design or photograph created with you ink jet printer, (Epson, HP, Canon) onto 100% cotton, 50/50 blend fabrics, mouse pads, puzzles, aprons and other porous materials. CopyJet comes in either 8.5"x11" or 11" x 17" sizes. Step 1 - Create a mirror image transfer using CopyJet Transfer Paper instead of your regular inkjet paper. You can use the regular OEM inks that came with your ink jet printer, or for better print durability, use sublimation inks (best with 50/50 blends). Print onto the front side of the CopyJet (the backside is colored). Cut away any excess border or unprinted area on the transfer, as the coating is noticeable on the fabric after it has been transferred. Step 2 - Preheat your heat press to 375 degrees. Step 3 - Place a T-shirt in the press sandwitched between two sheets of teflon. The teflon will keep stray ink from staining your shirt. Close the press for 5 seconds to get rid of any wrinkles and remove moisture from the T-shirt. Step 4 - Place the CopyJet transfer on the shirt and close the press for 40 seconds using heavy pressure. Step 5 - Peel the transfer either hot for a matte finish or cold for a glossy finish. Note: If using a hand iron, set the iron to the cotton setting and do not use steam. Prior to placing the transfer on the garment, press the garment a few seconds to remove moisture. Place transfer face down and press firmly for 20 seconds in each position over the entire transfer. Heat the entire surface again using circular motion. Peel transfer hot for a matte finish or cold for a glossy finish. |
|
|
Price: 8.5" x 11" sheets |
Price: 11" x 17" sheets |
|
Sublimation Transfers: |
|
|
Sublimation is an ideal way to imprint 100% polyester fabrics. There is absolutely no feel to the print and the vibrant colors will not wash out. The new high performance polyester sportswear imprinted with sublimation has a comfort level unparalled by any other decorating method. When imprinting 50/50 blended fabrics with sublimation, it is recommended that the sublimation is printed onto CopyJet paper instead of the normal sublimation paper. Instructions for imprinting 100% polyester or Soft L'ink T-shirts: Step 1 - Create a mirror image transfer using sublimation inks in an Epson printer (Epson C88, 1280, R1800 or 4800). Print onto our Sublimation InkJet paper (Item 323 or 361). You do not need to trim the transfer since there is no feel to the print when you are printing onto polyester fabric. Step 2 - Preheat your heat press to 390 - 400 degrees (F). Step 3 - Place a T-shirt in the press sandwitched between two sheets of teflon. The teflon will keep stray ink from staining your shirt. Close the press for 5 seconds to get rid of any wrinkles and remove moisture from the T-shirt. Step 4 - Place the sublimation transfer on the shirt and secure with a couple of pieces of heat tape. An alternative to using heat tape which sometimes puckers the shirt, is to use a heavy piece of teflon or plain paper layed over the top of the transfer. Step 5 - Close the press for 35 seconds using medium pressure. Step 6 - Open the press carefully so the transfer does not move. When opening the press, gently open the press in two steps instead of one forceful step. This will prevent the transfer from shifting and hence creating a ghost image on the fabric. Remove the transfer from the shirt. Using CopyJet paper with sublimation transfers on 50/50 shirts: |
|
ChromaBlast Transfers: |
|
|
ChromaBlast transfers are designed for vibrant long lasting prints on 100% cotton fabric. The ChromaBlast system involves a special ink and paper combination that chemically bonds with cotton for excellent print durability. This process requires a dedicated Epson or Ricoh printer with special ChromaBlast inks and paper. The print durability is excellent on 100% cotton or 50/50 blend fabric. Step 1 - Create a mirror image transfer using ChromaBlast inks in an Epson or Ricoh printer. Print onto the ChromaBlast paper (Item CB323 or CB361). If you desire, you can trim the non-printed area before transferring. The polymer coating will wash out after the initial washing, leaving only the bonded ink to the fabric. Step 2 - Preheat your heat press to 350 degrees (F). Step 3 - Use an adhesive lint roller to remove any loose fibers from the suface of the shirt. Step 4 - Place the shirt in the press sandwitched between two sheets of teflon. The teflon will keep stray ink from staining your shirt. Close the press for 5 seconds to get rid of any wrinkles and remove moisture from the T-shirt. Step 5 - Place the ChromaBlast transfer on the shirt and press for 45 - 60 seconds using heavy pressure (upto 60psi in a pneumatic press). Due to variations in cotton garments and heat presses, time and temperature can be adjusted for preferred performance up to 400 degrees (F) for 25 seconds. Step 6 - Open the press and peel the transfer while hot using an even motion. Step 7 - Stretch the image area while the shirt is hot from both left to right and top to bottom to reduce the hand (feel). |
|
|
Price: ChromaBlast Paper |
Price: ChromaBlast Inks: |
