I'm ready to make shirts, HELP!

[cgmac12]

The designs are done and the shirts are in and a few final questions linger. I did read the design tips at the top of this area, so I'm sorry if I'm asking anything already answered.

First the facts:
We are using 4 different color shirts:

Bright Orange
Light Pink
Light Blue
Light to Medium Blue

2 types of shirts:
tanks
short sleeved pocketless t shirts
all 100% cotton

Is it better to print on a laser or inkjet?

What is the best brand of transfer paper?

Should you print best (in the case of my inkjet there is an option for Best Photo) quality?

Dark transfer paper or light transfer paper

Can you make really good lasting shirts with an iron (I may have an option to use a heat press)?

Is it true that light transfer paper makes all white in designs transparent while dark transfer white as white?

Any tips on doing names for the back of shirts?

Any tips at all would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Is it better to print on a laser or inkjet?

I don't know if one is better, but my inkjet worked great. Make sure you get the appropriate transfer paper. They would be different for laser than inkjet.

What is the best brand of transfer paper?

I used some from www.printonit.com that was reasonably priced and worked great--although I've yet to wash them.

Should you print best (in the case of my inkjet there is an option for Best Photo) quality?

I read that you should NOT use high quality--that it won't completely absorb and you'll get runs.

Dark transfer paper or light transfer paper

I used dark on all and they look fabulous! And it was easy to use--no reversing images and only one very small bleed through on a navy shirt when my iron was too hot.

Can you make really good lasting shirts with an iron (I may have an option to use a heat press)?

I don't know--yet to be seen by me. This was my first batch. But, I've done more than 20 so far.

Is it true that light transfer paper makes all white in designs transparent while dark transfer white as white?

Yes!

Any tips on doing names for the back of shirts?

Not sure what you mean. I cut letters out for the front of some of our shirts. Do you have any particular question on that?


Tips:
Always do a test print--many times I changed the size I had originally intended.

When getting the paper to peel apart, a small tear in an area you won't use get's it started so quickly and easily. Then simply peel back under the design a little and snip a slit with the scissors so you can peel it completely off once it's trimmed. If you foret to get it started before you trim, don't worry. A gentle tear of the backing paper won't tear the transfer. It's easier than you think.

Have fun! It's much easier than I thought and turns out every bit as well as I'd hoped. Now I'm addicted I'm going to make shirts for a couple more days!