Production
PRINting : basic info Inks + Printing
Plastisol vs. Water-based Ink for Textile Printing There are two main types of ink that are used for textile printing. 1- Water-based Inks : softer feel (closer to textiles rather than regular tshirts) Water-based ink utilizes either dyes or pigments in a suspension with water as the solvent. Water-based inks are a good choice when a soft hand is desirable. A soft hand is the condition where the ink film cannot easily be felt with the hand when passed across the surface of the fabric. This affect is often used as an argument for why water-based is preferable to plastisol as plastisol has more of a hand than water-based. Disadvantages of Water-based Ink Water-based ink is much more difficult to cure than plastisol. A shop that is interested in printing water-based ink must have the drying capacity to remove the water. The dryers used for water-based printing tend to be larger than those needed for plastisol. In plastisol printing, the ink film must only reach the cure temperature for a brief moment. With water-based ink, the temperature must be reached and then held until all of the solvent (water) is removed. There are water-based inks that will air dry but they are usually only acceptable for craft level printing as the room required for curing greatly reduces productivity.
2- Plastisol ink : heavier (thicker / plastic ) feel Plastisol is referred to as a 100% solid ink system. Plastisol is a thermoplastic ink in that it is necessary to heat the printed ink film to a temperature high enough to cause the molecules of PVC resin and plasticizer to cross-link and thereby solidify, or cure. The temperature at which most plastisol for textile printing cures at is in the range of 300 °F to 330°F Advantages of Plastisol Plastisol comes in strengths from transparent to very opaque and most printers will have the various versions available to use, depending upon the type and color of fabric they are printing on. The various opacities of ink also vary greatly in price with the most opaque being the most expensive, mainly due to the cost of the increased pigment.
Plastisol Disadvantages Since Plastisol is a thermoplastic, it will remelt if it comes in contact with anything hot enough. For that reason, plastisol prints cannot be ironed. If an iron touches a print, it will smear the ink. Plastisol ink also creates an ink film that can be felt with the hand. The higher the opacity of the ink, the greater the hand. This heavy hand is considered a disadvantage at the consumer level. One of the most important practices when using plastisol ink is to keep the ink clean. Both types of ink are very popular. However, for the most part, they are used in very different applications. Plastisol is typically the ink of choice for printing of finished goods such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, and tote bags. Water-based ink is the ink of choice for the printing of yard goods; either in piece form or on the roll. That certainly doesn’t mean we have to stick to that usage style though. The softer water-based ink might just be the way to go for most of the Happy biker line.
Usage
Plastisol
Water-base
T-Shirts/light colors T-Shirts/dark colored Nylon Jackets Towels Yard goods Sporting Goods
Excellent Good Good Poor Poor Excellent
Excellent Poor Poor Excellent Excellent Poor
Quick Links Screen Printer
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Matteo Stu dios
w w w. m a t t e o s t u d i o s . co m
408 - 885 -1231
Screen Printer
Eminence F ronts
w w w. e f g s h i r t s . c o m
408 - 295 -9385
Screen Printer
Ape Do G oo D
w w w. a p e d o g o o d . c o m
415 - 826 - 0277
Screen Printer
Baby lon B u rning
www.babylontee.co m
415 - 777 - 8244
G olden State
www.gsactivewear.co m
800 - 892 - 8337
bodek + rhodes
w w w. b o d e k a n d r h o d e s . c o m
800 - 382 - 8337
Apparel Distributor Apparel Distributor
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SCREEN PRINTERS I’m including questions for each location, but really you just need to look for a few specific things when meeting with any of the printers. 1- look at samples of one color prints on a variety of shirt colors- with every ink option available- water based and all the different forms of plastisol. So you might ask to see samples of: A black shirt with white plastisol ink A black shirt with white waterbased ink A light shirt with dark plastisol ink Alight shirt with dark waterbased ink. 2- Ask about the different ink treatments: one printers uses something called CHINO for a softer plastisol print. 3- Ask about finishing techniques- look at how they remove tags and finish the collar, then print the tag info inside. 4- Ask about how they handle samples and how long it takes to do the print run after samples are approved. 5- Ask about any shirt recommendations / show them samples of the shirts you want to print on to make sure they will work for screen printing. 6- Ask about what happens in the event of damaged shirt or misprinted shirts: do they replace your inventory?
Eminence Fr onts
144
$.82
1.24
C o n tact : Dominic Asciutto ( 4 0 8 ) 295-9385
$10 proof
i n f o @efgshirts.com w w w.efgshirts.com
$.82 lt/ $1.24/ .35 each dk each shirt
A d d ress: 1 1 5 Phelan Ave. #9 S a n Jose CA 95112
Estimated Costs for 144 shirts
Set up Fees + add.
Label Printing
Label Removal
est. shirt cost {$4.49}
2 color
1 color
** contact info * *
# of shirts
Production Reference: Screen Printers
118.08
646.56
50.40
$50 screen charge
Eminence Fr onts
Misc. Notes Works with Golden State for free pickups and delivery - wide variety of printing. reviews found online: http://www.yelp.com/biz/eminencefronts-san-jose They use Plastisol inks but offer a softer version called Chino. They are located right near Golden State so you’ll be able to stop by quickly to view samples of their print ing after looking at shirts.
$30 color setup
118.08 90
$1023.12 for 144 / one color design
Questions + Meeting Suggestions 1- Ask to see samples of their softer version of plastisol called Chino. 2- ask to view what the shirts look like with the labels removed and the ‘tag’ information printed on the inside. 3- Ask about turn around time versus volume. We havesn’t discussed the initial volume yet but this could have an inpact. 4- ask about housing screens for future print runs. 5- They work directly with Golden State (t-shirt distributer) so ask about how they handle pick - up of materials. 6- Once the sample is approved how long does it take to print it ?
Eminence Fr onts
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C o n tact : M a r i sa R odrigues 4 0 8 - 885-1231 o rd ers@ m a t teostudios.com w w w.matteostudios.com
72 144
$1.13
$1.35
288
$.98
$1.13
Set up Fees Shirt / Label
Label Printing
$1.50
Label Removal
$1.28
est. shirt cost {$4.49}
2 color
M atteo studios
1 color
** contact info * *
# of shirts
Production Reference: Screen Printers
Matteo S tudios
Misc. Notes BEST P RI C ES + Be s t o p t i o n s Very helpful and located in San Jose. They can do everything from label removal to printing and finishing. Marisa has been incredibly generous with her time. It would be well worth going by and meeting with them to view samples.
.25
.60
+36
+86.40
$25 / $25
A d d ress: 1 7 2 5 De La Cruz Blvd. 5 S a n Jose, CA 95050
**** You’ll need to make an appoint ment first.
* * * Call for appointment t o s top by
Estimated Costs for 144 shirts
162.72
646.56
+50
$981.68 for 144 / one color design
Questions + Meeting Suggestions
* Matteo S tudios
1- They work with both types of ink so ask to see a few samples of both Water based and Plastisol. 2- Ask to see both inks on different colors of shirts - both light and dark. If we go with water based ink it will be important to see how a black shirt is handled. 3- Ask to see a shirt with the label removed and a ‘tag’ printed on the inside.
4- Once a sample is approved how long does it take to print it ?
You’ll want to look for a variey of things when meeting with Marisa: The way the different types of ink look when printed: Water based inks vs Plastisol ink. Also you’ll want to see how the shirts look when the labels are removed and the label is then screen printed into the neck of the shirt. Be sure to look at all available printing options. Marisa is incredibly helpful so I wouldn’t be surprised if she walks you through each step and every option available.
$8.43
C o n tact : Helen 4 1 5 - 826 - 0277
24-144
$2.31
$7.30
$6.93
a p e @apedogood.com w w w.apedogood.com
144-288
$2.20
$7.25
$6.88
A d d ress: 1 6 7 2 15th Street S a n Francisco, CA 9 4 1 03
1000 +
$2.10
$7.05
$6.68
Ape Do Good Pr inting
Set up Fees
$8.80
Label Printing
$4.15
Label Removal
they supply Next
up to 24
they supply Bella
A pe Do GooD
1 color
** contact info * *
# of shirts
Production Reference: Screen Printers
Misc. Notes ***MORE EXPENSIVE per Print** I’m really only listing them because they are in SF, so it might be easy to go over for a visit to look at their samples.
n/a
$1.00 per shirt
$40 per screen
Prices listed are for typical Plastisol inks ( more opaque but also thicker feel) Add an additional $ 2 per shirt for waterbased ink! Would only use tear away labels- not resewn.
M - F 9am to 5:30pm
Estimated Costs for 144 shirts
1051.2
+144
+80
$1275.20 =144 / single color design
Questions + Meeting Suggestions
Ape Do Good
1- Ask to see how they print on a variety of colors of shirts. 2- ask to see examples of both plastisol and waterbased printing. 3- ask to see how they finsh the shirts in terms of label removal and label / ‘tag’ printng on the inside of the shirt. 4- Once the sample is approved how long does it take to print it ?
Like I mentioned on the last page, I’m really only listing them because they are in SF and you might be able to run over to look at their work quickly. Their costs are much higher than the others I’ve listed and they seem to cater to crafters more than wholesale endevours.
$1.90
144
$1.25
$1.40
300
$1.05
w w w. b a b y l o n t ee.com
$1.20
180
Misc. Notes They seem to have more extra charg es than most others and don’t have embrodery tools so the label removal would have to be dont elsewhere.
6.50 per shirt
.63 if you use their shirts
Plus extra charges...
864
90.72
$65
A d d ress: 6 3 Bluxome Street S a n Fran, CA 94107
Estimated Costs for 144 shirts
babylon Burning
Set up Fees
$1.70
Label Printing
72
Label Removal
2 color
C o n tact : M i k e Lynch 4 1 5 - 777 - 8422
1 color
Baby lon bur ning
# of shirts
** contact info * *
est. shirt cost {$6.00}
Production Reference: Screen Printers
$25/ 25
On the other hand, the contact is the owner and he might be willing to discuss price options on everythings. Might be worth going by and look ing at their work.
$1235.20 =144 / single color design
Questions + Meeting Suggestions 1- Ask to see samples of their shirts - both in plastisol and waterbased. 2- ask to view what the shirts look like with the labels removed and the ‘tag’ information printed on the inside. 3- Ask about turn around time versus volume. We havesn’t discussed the initial volume yet but this could have an inpact. 4- ask about housing screens for future print runs. 5- ask about the shirts they provide, vesus you supplying them.
6- Once the sample is approved how long does it take to print it ?
babylon Burning
T~SHIRT DISTRIBUTERS
Production Reference:
T-Shirt Distributers
Golden State A pparel
* * * GREAT OPTION FOR BELLA ***
** contact info * *
G o l den S tate Appa r el C o n tact : Chris 8 0 0 - 892 - 8337
T h ey are located in San Jose and have a showroom to view available shirts
Bella shirt costs (style # 3001) Cost per case - single color - 72 shirts $4.49 each
w w w.gsactivewear.com A d d ress: G o l den State A ctivewear 2 0 7 0 South 7th Street Suite E S a n Jose, CA 95112 M - F 9am to 5:30pm
Cost per single shirt - white- $6.37 - color - $7.62 Prices vary per style and quantity. Visit the showroom for choices and to meet with the account manager
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Questions + Meeting Suggestions 1- The showroom should have all the shirts on display, but if you don’t see the style you’d like then ask to have them look in the warehouse for a sample. More than likely you are looking for Bella + Canvas shirts. 2- Apparently with Bella + Canvas shirts take ink better than others. Ask if they know which line will work best for our needs: Soft with a high quality feel, good lines, will take a softer water based ink. 3- Ask about label removal. Most printers offer this but ask if any of the shirts work better than others for this purpose. 4- Once you’ve found the shirt or shirts you like, ask about purchasing by the case. The cost differential is pretty good so once we have the shirt and colors picked we will need to set up a table for planning out the purchase of the shirts and print run combination.
Golden State A pparel
Production Reference:
T-Shirt Distributers
* * * GREAT OPTION FOR BELLA ***
** contact info * *
T h ey are located in San Jose and have a showroom to v iew available shirts.
bodek + r hodes C o n tact : 8 0 0 - 877 - 9911 ext. 1239
Bella shirt costs (style # 3001)
w w w.bodekandrhodes.com
Cost per case - single color -
A d d ress: 3 3 9 5 East North Avenue F re s no, CA 93725 M - F 9am to 5:30pm
Still waiting for quote
Bodek + r hodes
Questions + Meeting Suggestions 1- The showroom should have all the shirts on display, but if you don’t see the style you’d like then ask to have them look in the warehouse for a sample. More than likely you are looking for Bella + Canvas shirts. 2- Apparently with Bella + Canvas shirts take ink better than others. Ask if they know which line will work best for our needs: Soft with a high quality feel, good lines, will take a softer water based ink. 3- Ask about label removal. Most printers offer this but ask if any of the shirts work better than others for this purpose. 4- Once you’ve found the shirt or shirts you like, ask about purchasing by the case. The cost differential is pretty good so once we have the shirt and colors picked we will need to set up a table for planning out the purchase of the shirts and print run combination.
Bodek + r hodes