Episode 172 - 2 Cheapest Ways to Start a T-shirt Business - Sublimation vs Vinyl

Custom Apparel Startups

So you want to start a t-shirt business on a budget. The two cheapest / lowest cost ways to start are with sublimation and HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl).

But what is the difference between Sublimation and HTV?

Which is better: Sublimation or Heat Transfer Vinyl?

Which is cheaper?

In this episode we are going to deep dive into both Sublimation and HTV to help you pick the best for your new business.

Why is HTV or Sublimation right for you?

1. First we will start who should get either of these.
2. You want to customize t-shirts (or mugs or tumblers or more)
3. You want to be able to operate in a small footprint
4. You don't want to be concerned about special electricity or venting etc
5. You want something relatively easy to learn
6. You want to get something that's versatile
7. You want to start on a small budget.

Sublimation

What is sublimation?

This is printing with an inkjet printer to a specialty paper. This paper and ink combination reacts with certain 'sublimation blanks' to transfer the print to the substrate. This process works on t-shirts, hats, mugs, mouse pads, keychains, towels and tons of other goods.

Cost to get started

The SG500 is the best option for starting on a small budget. You can purchase a printer like this for just over $600 or finance a sublimation package for around $50 a month.

The next step up is the SG1000, This is just a bigger version of the printer. Bigger means bigger prints and faster production. This printer is just over $1500 and you can finance kits for this for around $100-200 a month.

You will also want to get a heat press machine. These can range from a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars a month (by the way when we mentioned financing packages before, those often include a heat press.)

1. The heat press machine will be based on what you want to make.
2. Flat heat presses - these will work for t-shirts, mouse pads, key chains, etc.
3. Cap heat presses - these work for hats and other curved items.
4. Mug Heat Press - Designed for cylinder shaped items like a mug or tumbler

PROs

1. Super versatile
2. Pretty easy to use and learn
3. 'Feels' and 'washes' great
4. Proven technology
5. Tons of options for blanks from luggage tags to t-shirts to coasters

CONs

1. Inkjet systems do require some maintenance.
2. Need to use 'sublimation blanks' (also a can be a pro since YOU have to provide the blanks, customer cannot ask to go to Walmart and buy shirts)
3. Only works on light colored items
4. It's HOT - nearly 400 degrees to sublimate
5. Everything requires heat (no stickers or car windows or body art)

Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) and Other Vinyl

What is Vinyl Cutting?

This is a process where you take a rolled material and run it through a cutting machine. It is kind of like how you make Christmas cookies. You roll out the dough, cut out your shapes and put the shapes in the oven.

Vinyl comes on a roll. You roll it through a cutting machine, then put your cut-out shapes on t-shirts, or tumblers, or signs.

Cost to get Started

We recommend the Graphtec and Roland brand of cutters. The lowest cost of entry on these is the Graphtec CE7000-40 which is around $1300 and kits can be financed for around $50-150 a month. You can also get larger cutters for closer to $2000 and even a system that prints and cuts (the Roland BN-20a for about $6000 or under $200 a month).

Similar to above, you also want to consider about getting a heat press.

One thing to note is that cutters don't always need a heat press, because you can also cut sticker materials that adhere to glass, cars, signs, etc. which don't require a heat press.

PROs

1. Super versatile
2. Pretty easy to use and learn
3. 'Feels' and 'washes' great (depending on the material you buy - Triton vinyl is A+)
4. Proven technology
5. Use almost any blank
6. Print stickers also
7. Cut interesting materials like glitter or flock or reflective

CONs

1. One color at a time!
2. Rolls of material take up space - if you have 20 colors, that's 20 rolls
3. Cannot print full color (like a puppy or baby) - unless using a BN-20A
4. More colors & more complicated designs take longer

Both of these systems are great and they are useful on day one of your business, and 10 years later. These can be considered like a great plan for someone just getting started.