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by Jerry | . | Sign College, Small Format Printing, Wide Printing
Every day entrepreneurs decide to jump into digital printing. Some are startups looking for a new business opportunity, but most are experienced sign professionals upgrading from vinyl graphics. Either way, there are important factors, and potential pitfalls that must be considered. Taking the plunge without thoughtful planning can complicate the transition to digital printing. Some customers get so frustrated that they completely abandon their new equipment. Others simply take much longer than necessary to get through the learning curve and start making money. Since we’re here to help you succeed, … (read more...)
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by Jerry | . | Dye Sublimation, Product Reviews
With the explosion of consumer demand in the decorated drinkware market, you may be thinking about ways to jump in and cash in. Decorated drinkware is booming. More and more of our customers are finding that this is a market ripe for entrepreneurial energy with low startup costs and healthy margins. We have already written about how to customize mugs and tumblers with vinyl. For full color and/or dishwasher-safe mugs, you may prefer dye sublimation or laser transfer. If that’s the case, you’ll need a heat press. That’s why we … (read more...)
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by Jerry | . | Garment Decoration, Laser Transfer, Software, Tips and Tricks
One of the most important features of the iColor series of LED Laser transfer printers is the bundled TransferRIP software. iColor TransferRIP is an advanced RIP engine made specifically for laser transfer garment decoration. RIP software converts pixels into printed images. TransferRIP converts your ideas into laser transfer images for t-shirts, mugs, colored paper, clear film, rigid blanks and scads more. One of the most innovative feature sets of TransferRIP is the variety of screening options. The screening options convert solid layers of color into dot patterns. The TransferRIP … (read more...)
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by Jerry | . | Garment Decoration, Tips and Tricks
A standard heat press or cap press is a perfect solution for decorating basic items like shirts, caps, and mouse pads. The heat press sandwiches the item between the platen and the table applying even pressure and heat to the item being decorated. When all goes well, your vinyl graphics, dye sublimation or laser transfers are permanently fused to the fabric.
But what happens when life throws you a wrinkle in the form of a shirt with buttons or seams near the target area? Or a cap that’s a little … (read more...)
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by Jerry | . | Dye Sublimation, Small Format Printing, Wide Printing
Color Space or Color Gamut Chart
If you’ve been through Freshman philosophy class, you may have engaged in the age old debate about whether God can create an object so massive that even He can’t move it. I wasn’t able to stay awake through that discussion, so I don’t know the answer to that one.
But, having been in the sign industry for over fifteen years, I do know that it is very possible to design an object you can’t print. That may be interesting to philosophers, but it’s maddening … (read more...)
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by Jerry | . | Digital Printing Index, Wide Printing
The transition from vinyl graphics to digital printing can present a substantial learning curve. Choosing the best large format printing equipment for your business needs is the first step. The second is leaning to use it properly. This will require getting up to speed on the importance of using compatible media and ICC profiles.
You may also have to learn the differences between spot and process color, plotter vinyl and inkjet printable media, and plotting verses print-and-cut processes. All of these can extend the learning curve and delay reaping the … (read more...)
