What equipment should i be looking at if I want to start printing designs on to a shirt from my pc?

Question

What equipment should i be looking at if I want to start printing designs on to a shirt from my pc?

Answer 1

A very good printer.

T-shirt computer transfer sheets

Software that allows you to do setup and mirror printing.

Answer 2

You can buy transfer sheets at you local art store , or even Wal-Mart etc. Remember to read the package to make sure you have the Right thing because its about 3 to 7 bucks for each paper. You just shove it in you printer. REMEMBER, YOU MUST PRINT THE IMAGE BACKWARDS SO IT COMES OFF ON THE T SHIRT CORRECTLY. you iron the back side of the paper for about 10 minutes and there you go.

Answer 3

firstly you'll need image editing programs, which i assume you already have- ie Photoshop and Illustrator etc.

If you are doing them yourself then iron on transfers are an easy and relatively cheap way to go. you'll be able to pick them up at any art and craft store or department store.

If you are looking at selling your designs though I would recommend getting them screen printed. Iron on transfers don't have the greatest  finish or a very long life span. they will tend to crack and peel off whilst screen printed tees will last much much longer.

There are print studios around that specialise in doing small runs of tee prints for artists, bands etc. Your outlay will be  a bit higher but it will definitely look much better.

I suggest buying a few iron transfers to test your designs out, and then if you like them have them screen printed.

Further down the track if you really get into it I would suggest doing a short course on printing and getting your own screenprint. You can get a basic model fairly cheap, which will easily allow you to print tees. Then your only outlay is ink.

good luck!

Answer 4

Transfer Sheets sold at WalMarts.  The sheet is placed in the printer, In print setup reverse design, set paper kind to transfer and print.

The design is then heat pressed to a tee shirt.  This is an inexpensive way to start and lets you experiment.   If this is what you want to really do then you can invest thousands of dollars on the proper machine.