Image to impervious material

[bajaboy1]

Originally Posted by PrintDriver

If you have thousands to do, why would you do them on a desktop inkjet or laser? They won't last.
Thousands is something you have someone print up for you.

That is an option i suppose.
Would this process hold up to the number of washings i referred to above on this impervious fabric?

[bajaboy1]

Just did a little reading on dyesub method. If I'm reading correct, it prints directly to the material?
And it also won't print black?

[Drazan]

It sort of prints black. The actual result is more of a dark charcoal - near black on fabric. The transfer is a bit translucent as it doesn't sit on top of the fabric, but fuses to the fabric itself. All depends on the paper, quality of ink, method of transfer, and material. Some work better than others.

[bajaboy1]

Interesting. Seems as though it would hold up to washings as i read it has a coating also over it?. Also since it uses heat to transfer, would it melt my material?

[Drazan]

There is no coating over the transfer - the process causes the ink to gas from the transfer paper then gas vapor fuses to the material with heat and pressure. And the poly could melt depending on it's makeup. And from experience 25 washings in a user's machine, not commercial, is about right before you notice it start to fade. It will never last 75 washings in a commercial cleaner.

[bajaboy1]

So it looks like I'm still stuck figuring out what ink and process can make it up to 75 washings. Screen printing is out as each image will be different for each garment and I'm in need of speed.
Any other thoughts from the peanut gallery?
Thanks

[PrintDriver]

Why is screen printing out?
If you are doing them on-demand and one at a time, then yeah, it's out.
But,
If you have all the designs premade ahead of time they can be ganged onto screens they can be run for shorter money on fewer screens.
Or they can be run on a web press if you can find one that will do individuals (doubtful)

If these labels are going inside of clothing, you have to account for the 'itch factor'. You didn't say what your garments are.

Garment labels don't last unless they are embroidered. I don't think I've washed any single article of clothing 75 times but most of the printed labels that are in shirts are mostly just white tags by 15 or 20 washings anyway. Higher end clothing products have an embroidered label in them that lasts much longer.

[bajaboy1]

No itch factor involved, will not be on the skin.
Ok, so the screen printing process would last 75 washings?
And this process is directly to the garment?
I've only been involved (and many years ago) with screen printing on paper, cardstock, etc. How would this be laid out to print on many garments at one time with one screen? Trying to picture this.

[bajaboy1]

Been doing more research.
I'm really leaning towards embroidery now. The cost of a machine to do the small area needed along with the durability of the finished product looks good.

Thanks to everyone for your help!!!!!

[Sketcher]

Originally Posted by bajaboy1

Looking into this more now. May be an option. Been looking for the carrier media for iron on but cant seem to locate. Is this something that can be printed from a regular laser or inkjet printer?
Thanks

Most digital prints will not look good on polyester. The print fades immediately after curing and washes out fairly quickly. Polyester rejects moisture.

Dye Sub would be the way I go. Second choice would be screen printing.