A Digital Printing Network
Material Selection
Hello,
We purchased an sp-300i and have enjoyed learning about the machine. I have a million questions but I could really use help with vinyl selection. I would appreciate if you didn’t mind sharing what material you used for these types of jobs:
For cotton t-shirts we were using eco-print, but the last role caused us a lot of headaches and when I went to re-order it they told me they stopped selling it because of issues. I could confirm that, so they suggested Quick Print or Color Print II. I ordered Color Print II because they said it was thinner and had less hand. However, I have read on the forum people don’t really like it, and it starts to fade quicker than other products. I don't want to start with a product that has issues. So, what material should I use:
We also do a lot of 100% polyester jerseys and reversibles that we were using Eco-print. Is there another product you would suggest for this.
We also put names and numbers in white on the back of jerseys. We were using eco-print but then I realized we were paying for a print-cut vinyl and only cutting so I looked at Eco-film and even Stahls Thermo-grip but they are the same price as Eco-film or color-print so why mess with changing rolls? Am I missing something here?
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I am also looking for a vinyl to put on metal picture frames that are flat to personalize them. I have been using Arlon 4560GTX. I also used that for car window decals. Is this a good vinyl for this application. I also have a roll of Orajet 3165 but not sure the difference, and if the Arlon and Orajet have different uses.
For really stretchy material we use Solutions Opaque but it is so hard to work with. Is there a better solution.
I want to start making bumper sticker decals, would you suggest the Arlon, Orajet, or a different material. If I wanted a real high adhesive decal vinyl that is thicker can you suggest one?
Finally, I would like to apply printed vinyl on nylon shorts. It is a very thin nylon, with little or no give. Can you suggest a vinyl. I have done some nylon bags and used Solutions Opaque but it was a big pain and would love a vinyl that is easier to work with. If there was a vinyl that I could use for these shorts, as well as for the back of nylon jackets that would be great.
I appreciate your help sorry for so many questions.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John H. on -
Wow, I'll try to answer some. Quick Print is super easy to work with, colors are good and last a long time, the only issue is you get a white edge, I personally don't care but some do.Color print ll is actually thicker than Quick print and is best for heavy duty stuff like uniforms and stuff that gets washed alot, I don't use it. Color print plus is good for poly and nylon it's not on the Imprintables warehouse site you have to ask for it. Solar Print is good for nylon and stuff that shouldn't be heated too much, I think it presses at 210. Opaque has a very soft hand but it's hard to work with and it's terrible on 100% cotton, when the shirt shrinks it doesn't and looks crumpled, I don't use that either because most of my stuff goes on Cotton, and Quick print rocks on cotton. Arlon 4560GTX is my favorite sign vinyl, great color and easy to apply. Arlon makes DPF 8000 and it will stick to anything it's a little more expensive than 4560. 4560 is great for bumper sticks although it's calendered and will shrink a bit, using cast vinyl costs more but doesn't shrink. Sublimation works best on 100% poly and I just got into that like a week ago through Conde, so far so good. Ha, hope that helps a little
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Permalink Reply by DanielTF3 on -
John Hyde "Sublimation works best on 100% poly", We had recently done the safety shirts, road wokers wear which have the dye sublimated fluoro color. It was an absolute nightmare with the dye sub colors coming off too much no matter which settings we used. Only highly recommend sublimation for shirts which advises shirts is suitable for sublimation. We find vinyl are the best option for simple logos which aren't really complex and time consuming to weed. Normally we work around complex logos or just work with what we're given.
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Permalink Reply by John H. on
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Hi Dan,
I see that Vapor Apparel makes safety yellow tees for sublimation did you try them? I haven't, but have been offering them as a service that hasn't sold yet,Don't know if you can get them in Australia ? Thanks for the tip on poly colored shirts didn't know that. I was experimenting with 65% poly 35% cotton and it gives a slight washed look after it's laundered that people are into now.
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Permalink Reply by DanielTF3 on
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Hello John, we haven't heard of that brand before but I'm curious to look into that company... but it seems to be not just us being the 'lonewolf' having this issue where the washed out look is a problem. I recently found a setting for our new cap press which we purchased to press shirts to reduce the exposure of the shirt to the heat. One pre-cautionary information is that settings cannot have too much pressure or too little time. "The must have" is to keep temperature at 200 degrees celsious and the time extended from factory settings.
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Permalink Reply by John H. on
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Dan, I just Googled Vapor Apparel and they have two distributors in Aust, one here http://gjsmachinery.com.au/index.asp and one here http://www.vaporapparel.com.au/
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Permalink Reply by John H. on
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There is a error on the first URL on the home page but not when you open the discussion "Material Selection" the word "and" should not be included in the address, You can just open the discussion or copy and paste then delete the word "and" in your browser.
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Permalink Reply by Dennis Dunning on -
Just curious. What problems did you have with the Eco Print? What mask did you use? Where did you get the Eco Print? I spoke with Imprintables, which acknowledged that there were some problems with a batch of Eco Print and, as a result, temporarily halted distributing it. Recently, I was told that the issues were resolved and, as a result, I just ordered new rolls of Eco Print and Eco mask.
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