I have a friend who wants a few hoodies emblazoned with my graphics. When or is it possible to use the new heat press to sublimate my designs in Vector? I will need to have these pressed withn the week. I also want to try out printing some of my designs on polyester.
This is definitely an @AmeliaG question…
Although, printing your designs on polyester is straight up dye-sublimation. Unless you’re doing something so big that you’ve got to use the big heat press.
So you want Direct to Film(DTF) or Dye Sub for the hoodies?
DTF visual quality is about the same as a home inkjet printer, and is available 22in wide.
If you want to order dtf prints, I use:
1.lay out your art 22wx24h
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Save your art as a PNG with transparency.
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Use the gang sheet builder, Do not use the upload a file option. use their gang sheet builder tool. This is their prepress. (If you upload an image. They drop it into this builder and scale it, sometimes crop it.)
4.Double check the measurement of the art and verify it hasn’t been scaled when uploaded. -
Make sure to turn OFF the margin. Their substrate is 23" wide and does not need an additional margin.
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Use the align tools. To ensure your art is in the print area.
For dye sub. Do you need a large format print, or can you print that at home/on DMS’s sawgrass?
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Hi Amelia,
It is likely I will be doing both methods on the hoodies. But mainly dye sub across an XXL size hoodie requires a larger and more evenly distributed heat source.
So I would need to use the large heat press in Vector.
I was not clear in my communication.
When Is it going to be possible to use the large heat press in Vector and how does one get signed off on using the equipment?
Thanks so much for the helpful information.
Has the board voted that DMS is taking ownership in this press? Last I knew it was still going to the board for approval and needs plumbing and some other lines and vents attached.
I’m glad you’re so excited about the press, we are too!
We wrapped up the demo of the tool that we’re going to have last night, but, there is good news!
Re: certification:
Sadly, I can’t certify individuals on the tool yet, because it does need an air pipe run to it, or at least a solution that does not involve an air hose crossing under a door/across a walkway.
The good news:
I will press more items for DMS on Tues or Thurs. While I will have to ask, but adding one or two hoodies to the press session should not be a problem… Especially if you’re helping me test run the draft of the instructions for the class!
Let me know which day and what time works for your schedule. You have my cell phone so you can text me what time.
Resources:
Does the DMS sublimation printer or your sublimation printer meet your needs? Or do you need a large format dye sub print? The sub printer does take about 2-3 days to turn around a print.
So, I’ve just learned I must have finished 4 hoodies and 5 T-shirts completed by Tuesday night - my friend flies to California Wednesday morning.
I didn’t know the turnaround for the DTF took more than 2 days. So, now I have to use solely dye sub. - hoping I can find ivory 2 XXL, XL and L polyester hoodies in the DFW area.
Do you know if dye sub works on 50/50 cotton/polyester?
I only have 8.5 x 11 paper at home, so I’ll need to use DMS for the 11 x17 size dye sub print.
I am happy to help run the draft of the instructions for the class.
I’m doing some research and getting “client approval” tonight, and will text you soon about a time on Tuesday.
It is two different print shops!
Direct to film is dtfOrder or dtfDallas,
And they taks a few hours to maybe one day. They are also open on Saturday.
If you submit direct to film tonight, it will very likely be printed by Monday. Frequently they have the stuff printed within a few hours of my order.
The other print shop I have found that does large format dye sublimation takes about 48 hours. That one I would have concern about getting your prints done in time.
There’s a plan and training for it, and best of all it doesn’t actually cost us anything to install it, so we are letting vector run with it.
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