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[superstar]

I'm new to the t-shirt business and theses are some of the things, I'm looking for right now.  With the help of the members here, we don't have to jump all over to find the answers to theses questions.  Thank you for your time.

[MonkeyMeMe]

WElcome Cat,
We will help you with whatever we can,,
so you are just starting out,, do you know what kind of tees you would like to print, ?
Colors, ect.

Depending on color, like black tees, there are only certain things to make them look really great.
That is why colors,,
I myself do 90% black tees,
so i have transfers made and a vinyl cutter and screen print
So let us know where you are headed and we will help you get there,
MMM

[superstar]

I want to start my own line, like for UFC fighters. I want to go with that style of a tee. Some in light but mainly black.

[MonkeyMeMe]

Cat Do you have any computer Graphic programs now?
Corel or inkscape or gimp adobe?

That is where I would start, get a program,, and start learning to design on it,
If you dont have a desire to do that, you can also hire designers to do this for you, we do have some great ones right here..

Do you have a heat press yet, ?
If you dont, Roger sells them and Ed at Proworld. both members here.
I am think that having some Transers made at say Proworld, have some done in hot peel and for lights and dark tees,
Will get you going the fastest and least expensive,, and trust me you will expand from there lol..

MMM

[knifemaker3]

Hello!  Welcome to the best t-shirt forum on the web!

To add to MMM's post, I see you stated you want to maybe get into UFC Fighting type stuff. 

Are you wanting to do all over prints?  If so, the only way to do those will be with an all over screenprinting press.  You might be able to do it with a heat press by pressing several transfers together at different locations and overlapping them slightly.  But the best way to do those style graphics is with an all over screen press.

Tell us more about where you want to go with your new business and we will gladly help you find all the answers to your questions!

And again.....WELCOME!!!!!

[binki]

I want to start my own line, like for UFC fighters...

That is a crowded market. you really need 'an in' for that one.

[superstar]

Thanks MMM for all your help. No, I dont have a press machine yet, nor do I have any programs for my computer.  I do know about proworld but I haven't made it, to complete an order. I really don't know what to order, for the design I have in mind.  Any suggestions on who I can talk to over at proworld?

[MonkeyMeMe]

at proworld you can talk to anyone who answers the phone and then just tell them you are new to the garment world and need to be walked thru ordering your own custom transfers,,
They will want  to see your art work,,
If you dont have the software to convert your art to a eps file i believe they will charge a fee to do this, but it would be well workth it untill you have learned to do this yourself.

I would suggest corel 4 or 5 when you are ready purchase a program.

There are free ones,  download inkscape, and start playing,,,
anyone else know of any free programs for cat to play with to get a handle on creating with a computer,,
I think dad and cochise will jump in as they are very good at that,,

Then if you have the transfers , then you need tees and a heat press...

Its alot to think about but we will be here for ya.
MMM

[gprockhill]

Hey Cat, Here are my suggestions (and Welcome!by the way).

Inkscape free design program or like MMM said - Corel Draw

Heat Press - DO NOT get a cheap no name. Stick with a known name brands. The guys here who are members have some good affordable models to start with.If you have the bucks, you might want to get a Sthals Max (I love mine).

Inkjet printer with Pigment Ink -I have a Epson work force 1100

With these items,some jpss transfer paper and/or stock transfers from Proworld
you are well on your way.

We will help you once you get your stuff - there are plenty of tricks and tips here and lots of people willing to share info.

[MXRacingDad]

at proworld you can talk to anyone who answers the phone and then just tell them you are new to the garment world and need to be walked thru ordering your own custom transfers,,
They will want  to see your art work,,
If you dont have the software to convert your art to a eps file i believe they will charge a fee to do this, but it would be well workth it untill you have learned to do this yourself.

I would suggest corel 4 or 5 when you are ready purchase a program.

There are free ones,  download inkscape, and start playing,,,
anyone else know of any free programs for cat to play with to get a handle on creating with a computer,,
I think dad and cochise will jump in as they are very good at that,,

Then if you have the transfers , then you need tees and a heat press...

Its alot to think about but we will be here for ya.
MMM

Gimp is a good one, very similar to photoshop. Inkscape is another, similar to corel. I use both exclusively. I do have photoshop at the shop, but don't use it much. There is a link to both in the menu on the forum frontpage.

[COCHISE]

Welcome CAT.

There are lots of good folks here with plenty of advice to offer learned from the school of hard knocks.

Sit back and write some notes as to EXACTLY what you want to start creating. There are members here with many years of experience in almost every form of imprinting imaginable. Start slow and make your capitol purchases count. Avoid the bargain equipment. It will let you down at the worst possible moment.

 Pick one graphic software such as Corel. It is available in the non academic, full version, on eBay for less than $200. I suggest Corel because there are hundreds of add in programs for it and thousands of tutorials for it. The latest version of Adobe Photo Shop CS5 is almost $2,000

I use Photo Shop almost exclusively because I am a cut and paste verses a digitally draw it fella.

Good luck in your new career.

Ken

[Flint54]

Cat,

Welcome!  There are many here that are willing to help you out and give suggestions. As was stated "Take Notes".

I suggestions follow on the lines of the way I was brought up to make purchases and that is to not buy anything that you already plan on replacing as soon as you get enough ahead. Doing this will just create problems, save a bit more and buy Quality Items not Junk!