This week we decided to do something a little different and show you how to “pimp-a-shirt” digitally, with a Roland Versacamm print and cut machine. So you can really see the differences, we took our pimp-a-shirt logo and produced it the tradtional way with heat applied film, and digitally with the versacamm on the other side of a 100% ringspun cotton t-shirt.
As you know, the logo is about 7 colors in all. With the traditional vinyl cutter and heat applied film method we had to use 7 separate rolls of film. Since we’re the “official” shirt pimping experts…we decided to show off a little and mix it up. We used black, cyan, and orange Eco Film, white, green, and purple Fashion Flock, and some columbia blue MEGAtallic for some extra spice. For anyone unfamiliar with these products, Eco Film is our famous hot or cold peel solid colored material, Fashion Flock is a soft polyester material with a slight dimension, and MEGAtallic is a shiny film with silver glitter throughout it. The result was a pretty awesome, mixed media pimp-a-shirt design that is so unique you couldn’t possibly mimic it with any other decoration method. I have some customers who have done shirts like this and charged $100 or more in some cases for a shirt like this. The key is producing a garment that is totally unique and un-repeatable with any other method.
The second part of this week’s shirt was produced using the Roland Versacamm print and cut machine. With this method, we are starting with a white opaque roll of material specially coated to accept solvent or eco-solvent ink. We chose to use Spectra Quickprint. This digital media is good for cottons / polys / and blends and offers an extremely easy weed, nice feel, and stretchability. Rather than separating the design into 7 individual colors, we simply welded the design so the was only one line to cut…around the outside of the logo. We send this to the Versacamm and voila! The design is printed and cut perfectly with one click of a button. The major difference here is that the digital method took about 20% of the time that it took to produce the cad cut method. So the moral of the story is, you can produce your awesome designs with the Verascamm, save a bunch of time over using cad cut and innovate with the wide variety of digital media available.
Let’s watch the video, shall we?
Stay tuned to next week’s Pimp-A-Shirt where we are going to explain even more about what you can do with the Versacamm and explore some of the other digital medias available.
Patricia OConnor said,
November 10, 2009 @ 8:28 am
Great comparison guys. Two ?s please
What format did you use for the Pimp-a-Shirt logo so you could weld it for the VersaCamm
Can you tell me what the transfer medial was – the volume was a little low to clearly understand what you were said you were using to pull the logo off the Versacamm opaque material. Thanks a lot
Mike Koval said,
November 10, 2009 @ 9:46 am
The pimashirt logo was initially an Illustrator file saved as an EPS for the VersaCAMM.
The material use to pull off the transfer was out TTD mask.
Scooter said,
November 10, 2009 @ 9:23 am
What a difference in labor costs! It looked as though you had it cut right up to the colors. Some other examples I have seen always had a thin white border around it.
How does the printed feel compared to the vinyl? Any idea how the printed stands up to repeated washings?
Nice job!
leetringes said,
November 10, 2009 @ 9:53 am
Hi Scooter,
In this example we chose to cut right up to the design. Basically, when you are doing to artwork..you dictate how close you would like the cut to be. Sometimes people leave the white bleed to make it a more simple cut and easier.
The feel is going to depend on the media you use. Just like the cut vinyl, the digital material can be thick or thin with many different feels. Some are PU based and some PVC based. So you can get a nice soft screenprint like feel or a thicker “vinyl – like” feel.
The longevity is really the same as the cut vinyl. The Versacamm uses Eco Solvent ink that should withstand washing for the life of the garment and never fade. Hope this helps!
Mike Koval said,
November 10, 2009 @ 9:55 am
The cut only design took about 10 minutes to weed and 6 presses with the heat press. Lets just say about 15 mins total with weeding and pressing…compared to about 3 minutes in weeding, masking and pressing the digital print.
Some digital prints are done with a white border around it to make the weeding easier. The Quick Print material we used is extremely easy to weed so there is no need for the border.
The printed transfer has a very nice hand as opposed to this particular vinyl design since there are 6 layers of vinyl applied. Both materials hold up to very well with washings and most likely out last the garment.
Mr. Eric said,
November 10, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
Where can I purchase the same “transfer mask” that is used in the video??
please let me know……….
Fred said,
November 18, 2009 @ 1:08 pm
You guy’s a great. I look forward to your projects. I have a canon ipf6100 printer with a roland cutter. You only talk about versacamm, is there any reason I shouldn’t try this or is ther a difference?
Tina said,
November 20, 2009 @ 12:20 pm
I notice that there are 2 different series of the Versacamm and then 2 models in each series. Which one are you guys using? Also, if you’re gonna invest that much cash, what’s the best bet for a one shot deal?
leetringes said,
November 24, 2009 @ 10:05 am
Over the last few years there have been some upgrades and modifications to the Versacamms. Currently, there are 2 series….a “VP-i” and “SP-i”. Each of these series have a 30″ model and a 54″ model. There are a few differences but basically speed and warranty. The SPi has two print head and the VPi has four print heads. Therefore, the VPi is about 35-50% faster printing. The SPi has a 1 year warranty and the VPi has a 2 year. We use the VPi here in our office and at most of the tradeshows we go to. Best bet for a one shot deal…hard to answer but I would say get as much as you can afford because it will be worth it. The VPi is well worth the extra money, the speed difference will make you more productive and the extra year of warranty is very valuable. However, if your budget only has room for the SPi, you will not be disappointed.