I bought my wife a t-shirt press (15"x15" clamshell) for Christmas but I don’t know the best place to get blanks…just go to Hobby Lobby? Where do you crafty bastards get them?
@f00l@lichme@tightwad Walmart has the same brand (Gildan) as Hobby Lobby, but HL has a broader variety of sizes. For the sizes that Walmart has, HL is actually cheaper due to their blanks always being 30% off list price
@lichme What made you decide on Cricut versus Silhouette? Not knocking the choice, just curious. After all, I chose the opposite due to the fact I could get a new Cameo 3 for about $70 when Walmart discontinued carrying them in-store.
@msklzannie I was originally looking at that because I’ve seen woot bundles for it, but a couple people I know personally have a cricuts and convinced me. I figure they probably both do what I will need them to for a couple years at least, until I get comfortable using it.
@msklzannie Air 2, I have a tendency to want to do stuff like this, and then move on to another thing (sous vide, aero garden etc) so I didn’t want to invest a ton into it.
@f00l Carded-open-ended cotton is the more cost effective way of turning cotton into yarns, as long fibers, short fibers, and small impurities are used. This makes for a thicker yarn, which means it’ll take less to make up every square inch of fabric; the trade-off of softness and durability. Due to the short fibers, the yarn itself can’t be as tight or as even.
Ring spun is a different method that pulls the yarns tighter. As this requires more of the long fibers to keep its strength, it’s combined with combing through and remove the impurities and short fibers. The resulting yarns are finer, resulting in a lighter weight fabric that is tighter and softer. The extra processing and cotton used makes this more expensive.
/image carded vs ring spun
You know how some t-shirts get stiffer and scratchier after several washes? That’s the cheaper COE. The lighter ones that stay soft? Combed ring spun.
Jiffyshirts.com … fast shipping, at least to CT. Nice quality, reasonably priced.
For silk screening, we use these… https://www.jiffyshirts.com/gildan-G200.html?ac=Dark+Heather
If you are doing HTV, they are great. If you are doing sublimation or the cricut ink stuff, I think you need 100% poly, but I haven’t played in that space yet.
@tightwad quite possible! I am fingers crossed that I get a sublimation printer for Christmas, but my husband is out “searching for the perfect present”… so my hopes are waning I asked for that or a mug press for htv onto ceramic/metal cylinders.
@mikibell I broke down and bought an Easy Press (the largest one) from HL as I had someone who wanted me to make a shirt. I’d already ruined the 1st one by scorching the htv.
I also ordered some cricut shirts (50% off) and their infusible ink sheets (40% off) directly from Cricut but haven’t played with that yet. If you want to test sublimation out, that could be an option. It was the cheapest way to buy those items.
@msklzannie sweet on the easy press! I have a heat press that is probably almost as old as I am! My brother in law used to do tshirts at carnivals before I met my husband! It is a freakin heavy thing that lives in the middle of my kitchen floor for now! I don’t have anything sturdy enough to support it, or anything heat resistant… It is a swing arm too, so it needs lots o space!
Good luck with the easy press!
I tried to get fancy with the waterslide stuff today, but didn’t love the design enough to use it. Might try again if I have time tomorrow… Totally my design’s fault…
@mikibell I was going to suggest jiffyshirts.com also. They have the best prices I’ve found, and a very wide selection. That’s where I get my every day t-shirts…cause I’m cheep too.
I too need this information and was looking at Hobby Lobby as an option, at least for testing. Just got a cricut and I want to play around with it.
@lichme @tightwad
Walmart sells them in Supercenters that have craft or sewing departments. (Likely almost all supercenters)
I suppose they would be cheaper on the net.
@f00l @lichme @tightwad Walmart has the same brand (Gildan) as Hobby Lobby, but HL has a broader variety of sizes. For the sizes that Walmart has, HL is actually cheaper due to their blanks always being 30% off list price
@f00l @msklzannie @tightwad
Just picked of a few kid shirts from HL to play around with. Thanks!
@lichme For cricut tutorials, check out Jennifer Maker. If you sign up for her emails you also get access to free svgs.
@msklzannie Did that before it even got to my door. Thanks!
@lichme What made you decide on Cricut versus Silhouette? Not knocking the choice, just curious. After all, I chose the opposite due to the fact I could get a new Cameo 3 for about $70 when Walmart discontinued carrying them in-store.
@msklzannie I was originally looking at that because I’ve seen woot bundles for it, but a couple people I know personally have a cricuts and convinced me. I figure they probably both do what I will need them to for a couple years at least, until I get comfortable using it.
@lichme Did you get the Explore Air 2 or the Maker?
@msklzannie Air 2, I have a tendency to want to do stuff like this, and then move on to another thing (sous vide, aero garden etc) so I didn’t want to invest a ton into it.
So long as you don’t care that it’ll be the thick carded-open-ended cotton or 50/50, your local craft stores are going to be the best bet.
Unless you need them in quantities by the dozens (or by the case/pallet/container) it’s not going to be cheaper online.
You do NOT want the blanks that are sold in the regular clothing racks. Those may be treated and aren’t suitable for imprinting.
@narfcake
What are the qualities of “thick carded, open-ended cotton”? Is this cloth visually recognizable?
I like my cotton t-shirts not to be too lightweight. They hold up better.
Does that mean these are “thick carded etc”?
@f00l Carded-open-ended cotton is the more cost effective way of turning cotton into yarns, as long fibers, short fibers, and small impurities are used. This makes for a thicker yarn, which means it’ll take less to make up every square inch of fabric; the trade-off of softness and durability. Due to the short fibers, the yarn itself can’t be as tight or as even.
Ring spun is a different method that pulls the yarns tighter. As this requires more of the long fibers to keep its strength, it’s combined with combing through and remove the impurities and short fibers. The resulting yarns are finer, resulting in a lighter weight fabric that is tighter and softer. The extra processing and cotton used makes this more expensive.
/image carded vs ring spun
You know how some t-shirts get stiffer and scratchier after several washes? That’s the cheaper COE. The lighter ones that stay soft? Combed ring spun.
@f00l @narfcake and ring spun cotton is the best thing ever.
@narfcake @RiotDemon
Ok thx!
Jiffyshirts.com … fast shipping, at least to CT. Nice quality, reasonably priced.
For silk screening, we use these…
https://www.jiffyshirts.com/gildan-G200.html?ac=Dark+Heather
If you are doing HTV, they are great. If you are doing sublimation or the cricut ink stuff, I think you need 100% poly, but I haven’t played in that space yet.
@mikibell I think you are right that Sublimation only adheres to the Poly portion…but you can use a blend for a “vintage” look? http://blog.bellacanvas.com/sublimation-printing-poly-blends/
@tightwad quite possible! I am fingers crossed that I get a sublimation printer for Christmas, but my husband is out “searching for the perfect present”… so my hopes are waning
I asked for that or a mug press for htv onto ceramic/metal cylinders.
@mikibell Sublimation printers are 10x what mug presses are! Hopefully you get exactly what you want (or love your husband anyway, we try hard)
@tightwad nooo… You can get an epson or such for around $150 and swap out the ink
i am cheap at heart!
I love him and if I don’t get it… Meh… Wasn’t meant to be right now. I am completely spoiled.
@tightwad this guy:
https://www.amazon.com/Workforce-WF-7710-Wireless-Wide-Format-Replenishment/dp/B077N6LP96/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=epson+workforce&qid=1577129772&sprefix=ep&sr=8-3
@mikibell I broke down and bought an Easy Press (the largest one) from HL as I had someone who wanted me to make a shirt. I’d already ruined the 1st one by scorching the htv.
I also ordered some cricut shirts (50% off) and their infusible ink sheets (40% off) directly from Cricut but haven’t played with that yet. If you want to test sublimation out, that could be an option. It was the cheapest way to buy those items.
@msklzannie sweet on the easy press! I have a heat press that is probably almost as old as I am! My brother in law used to do tshirts at carnivals before I met my husband! It is a freakin heavy thing that lives in the middle of my kitchen floor for now! I don’t have anything sturdy enough to support it, or anything heat resistant… It is a swing arm too, so it needs lots o space!
Good luck with the easy press!
I tried to get fancy with the waterslide stuff today, but didn’t love the design enough to use it. Might try again if I have time tomorrow… Totally my design’s fault…
@msklzannie I still need to send you a picture
@mikibell I was going to suggest jiffyshirts.com also. They have the best prices I’ve found, and a very wide selection. That’s where I get my every day t-shirts…cause I’m cheep too.
I’ve seen cheap t-shirts at the Dollar tree store. Would work at least for testing it out…
@chienfou My DT just got some shirts in, mostly youth sizes. I picked up a couple for my niece and nephew.
Pro tip: Just turn the shirts you already own inside out.
Links to cross posting for mats on the cheap:
https://meh.com/forum/topics/the-unofficial-december-2019-deals-topic---the-final-deals-of-the-year#5e030d7a7603b6087c4f748b
I need a t shirt full arms.i want to good stuff t shirt wear looking handsome boy.
i bought some shirts and other order online.i want to comfortable wear t shirts.