T-Shirt printing question

skeive · Post by **skeive** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 4:07 pm

I am hoping to be able to gift a few lucky individuals on the playa with t-shirts featuring photos I took at last years event. I know nothing about the t-shirt printing industry so I am looking to my fellow burners in hopes for hints, tips, and tricks.

I can't really afford to print a huge number of shirts (depending on price) so I am thinking of getting around a dozen each of Medium, Large, and X-Large. If anyone has any experience with any vendors or any knowledge of the industry I would appreciate any info you can give me :)

Also the pictures I am hoping to put on the T's are from last years event (one of The Man, and one of the rocket explosion). I can't imagine that anyone would be upset with me giving away t-shirts with images from their art, but I wanted to know if there was any protocol the community might suggest (i.e. adding credits for the images for the original artists, labeling the art, getting permission from the Burning Man org and the group that built the rocket, etc...). I would like to give the shirts out with absolutely no labeling at all on them. I don't want any labels from the printer, the company that produced the shirt itself, and certainly nothing on it identifying me as the photographer. I will happily include any attribution for the art itself though if the group thinks that is a good idea.

Also I do *not* want the t-shirts to be anything like a concert T with "Burning Man - 2009" emblazoned on them. I want the images to be conversation starters rather than advertisements. With that goal in mind does anyone see this as a bad idea, or in any way contrary to the BM ethos? This year will be my fourth burn and I haven't seen anything like this so want to make sure I am not going to be doing anything that will piss anyone off.

Thanks in advance,

Skeive

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 4:17 pm

there IS such a product for you AND it can be purchased @ any office supply place or evil WalMart.
It's iron on transfer paper made for your printer. Print your picture, cut to size & iron on. DONE. & it's not cheapy glossy stuff like in the 70's. Not that, that would be a bad thing.

skeive · Post by **skeive** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 4:23 pm

That's an idea but I don't actually own a color printer (10 year old b&w laser still works too good to get a new one). I could justify getting a cheap inkjet for that purpose I guess....hmmm, worth a thought.

I do think I own an Iron, but I must admit I haven't seen it in about 5 years. I believe my mom used it the last time she visited so she might be able to give me a clue as to where it is hiding ;)

Skeive

lambert13 · Post by **lambert13** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 4:26 pm

If you are using photos created by other people I would absolutely check with the artists first before you start putting their work on shirts. Chances are that they would not mind, but some people might. And ultimately they own the rights to the image and what can be done with it.

As for where to buy shirts, there are tons of places with cheap shirts. Hell, even Michael's has them on sale once in a while for very good prices. Do a little googling around and I am sure you will find all sorts of great deals.

skeive · Post by **skeive** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 4:33 pm

I took the photos myself so no problem there. I didn't create the art depicted in the photos though and the last thing I want is to upset any of the true artists.

Thanks,

Skeive

lambert13 · Post by **lambert13** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 4:39 pm

skeive wrote:I took the photos myself so no problem there. I didn't create the art depicted in the photos though and the last thing I want is to upset any of the true artists.

Thanks,

Skeive

Oh crap. My mistake there. I did not read your question carefully enough and got ahead of myself.

Upon actually comprehending what I read this time around, I would say that you are in the clear for using the images that you took. Especially since there is no profit or marketing going on. There might still be some sort of copyright issue, but it would surprise me if it came up.

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 4:39 pm

your local Library might have a color printer you can use. or Kinkos?

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 4:52 pm

Boijoy wrote:your local Library might have a color printer you can use. or Kinkos?

If you find a Kinkos, or fedex office, I. Think they're called now.. test print on regular paper, to make sure the machines up to snuff.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:03 pm

I've done quite a few iron on transfers, and they are very simple to do. There are two kinds, one is for light colored fabric, one for dark fabrics. The type for light fabrics needs the image to be reversed. The dark is straight onto the shirt. Just follow directions on the package. I also trim off the white borders. Yes, you will need to find an iron (not so difficult) and an inkjet printer. This process does suck down the ink!

We're looking at purchasing bulk t shirts and tote bags to use with our silk screen machine. It does simple designs in one or two colors, a very different process. We found bulk shirts at a place called blankapparel.com. Under $2 each, and we may have found even cheaper. Minimum order of 36 per size to get the lowest prices. But if you watch Micheals, you can get them as low as $2.50 each or less. We're doing a t-shirt for my Home for Wayward Art, and tote bags, and Genius is doing a ranger bandana (we hope).

Post by **Sham** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:52 pm

Yes, shirts can be had pretty cheaply at places like Michael's as was already said. Keep an eye open for cheapy shirts and even other things that you can print on. How about white hankerchiefs that can be used as bandanas?
You can also find a cheap printer on Craig's list and print these pages yourself.
I have taken so many amazing photos over the years and wanted to share some of the images. I bought a pin maker on ebay to press 2 1/4 pins with some of my favorite pictures on them. By the time I was done, they were pretty cheap to make. PM me if you want details on this device. I'm sure there are lots on ebay.
Some of these pins made their way to AntiM's Home for Wayward Art.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Mar 02, 2010 12:57 pm

There's also www.cafepress.com

I think the iron on transfers would be cheaper.

C187 · Post by **C187** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 9:12 pm

Cheap way advice:

You can find cheap shirts at most chain or indy hobby shops (eg. Hobby Lobby, Michale's, local mom and pop joint). But just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's the best for printing. Your going want to look out for shirts with any amount of polyester. Or any other material that adds to the elasticity of the shirt. Mostly to keep the image alive longer. But if you stick to a low budget then any shirt $3 or under would do.

For printing, as stated above, inkjet printer transfer is the way to go. The only thing I can suggest is that you cut the image in a way that helps it breath when placed. As far as the type of transfer paper to buy, go for mid price and a little higher.

When it comes to online shops that print t-shirts. Just about all of them use a transfer print of some sort. Until your order is high enough to justify the cost of separating the image's colors to be screened. (eg. order of 500)

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If your feeling up to the challenge I can give you advice on separating your photos colors for photo transfer onto a screen. Along with the actual screen printing, and where to find the materials to build your first screen printing kit.

[SpaceBoy] · Post by **[SpaceBoy]** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 6:36 pm

the best way is to contact playa pete.

he does all the printing for the org and for a lot of theme camps, he has the same machines that kinkos or any other garment printer would have, but hes a burner, and a damn awesome dude, defiantly support him, send me a message for his contact info

junglesmacks · Post by **junglesmacks** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:31 am

For my own business promotion, I purchased blank tshirts directly from the manufacturer: www.alstyle.com. I think I paid around $0.50 for them.. can't remember now. May not be a fit for this project, but thought I'd put it out there for others..

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 2:27 pm

I have t-shirts made with my photos. Just for gifting and wearing. I use Zazzle. Not so cheap but pretty good. They can do other things with your photos, too. Google it.

busgypsy · Post by **busgypsy** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 1:55 pm

I do screen printing and actually buy my shirts from shirtsupplier.com as they have no minimums and cost are as low as 1.75 per shirt. There are sites that I use when ordering bulk that have cheaper per shirt prices, but minimums are in the 1000's.

And if your doing pics, copied to heat transfer paper is the easiest method. Although at Michaels there is a paste medium that can be used but it has been years since I worked with it.

And screen printing actual images is possible but requires special rip software to break down the pixels.