Our GT-381 Prints and Opinions

[mk162]

Ok, so we've been running it for about 2 weeks, and it's killer.  The first few days I was struggling with a few things like the ink was scratching off.  The problem was our heatpress temps were off after we switched it from 220v to 110v.  It's calibrated now and the prints are great, and surprisingly stretchy as well.

The machine is pretty straightforward to run, you need to monitor humidity in the air though.  It recommends about 40+, and I can't seem to get it above 30.  Still working on that.

One of the best things about this machine is the ink costs are lower, much lower.  ANd the CMYK prints are faster by about 20-30% depending on the design.

Here are some samples....everything was printed single pass at 1200dpi.  The purple monster shirt was washed(not the best sample).  The quarter on the leprechaun is there for reference.

And the shirts look better in person.

[GraphicDisorder]

Pretty nice.  Underbase hanging a bit on that one?

[mk162]

yes, just like screen printing you can choke it, and we forgot to.  It's a sample, so I wasn't too concerned.  Also, it was a very tall print and the top was perfect, so I think it might be a bit out of alignment.  There is a simple way to fix it.

The hard part about taking pics is the reflection from the ink makes the ink look faded.  These are cellphone pics, I need to bring in the good camera.

[GraphicDisorder]

Let me know how you get along with it as far as peaking underbase.  Ive almost bought one about 3 times now but every time a manufacture sends me a samples.... underbase hanging out, a lot. 

[screenprintguy]

I think once you have your graphic seps dialed in, you are money. You will be able to offer people full color on dark in small quantities where most want to be at least 100 shirts to have a decent cost, or even worth your while to go through the process. I've had some DTG done for a customer at a place with the Brother 782 and the prints came out awesome, very high end looking, and I think we are approaching 3 years after the fact, and the print still looks great on a couple shirts we wear quite often. Besides dialing in your art, which by the way, these look great as they are, from what I've heard, the pre-treat makes all the difference on how the print will finish and stay in tact. Good looking stuff though, especially zoomed in view.

[inkman996]

Brad are you offering contract for this? I hope so I have wished to find someone printing on dark that I can fully trust with print quality one proper pretreatment. I know with your experience and you would be the one.

[TCT]

What are you using(tool or machine) for Pre treatment?

[Frog]

What are you using(tool or machine) for Pre treatment?

He talks about his Viper in this followup thread

http://www.theshirtboard.com/index.php/topic,11048.0.html

[TCT]

What are you using(tool or machine) for Pre treatment?

He talks about his Viper in this followup thread

http://www.theshirtboard.com/index.php/topic,11048.0.html

Ahhhhhhhh, thank you wise one. My ADD only allows me to look so far!   Ooooo look a bird!

[mk162]

Yes, we are.  I am working on the pricelist since I really wanted to know how to run the machine and what to expect before throwing prices out there.

[inkman996]

Yes, we are.  I am working on the pricelist since I really wanted to know how to run the machine and what to expect before throwing prices out there.

Brad let me know when you have things dialed in I can give you our UPS# so you can send me a test print of any kind. Or I could purchase one if needed.

[jesterapparel]

I have Anajet MP5i. Makes me pull my hair out alot.  Are colors pretty close to what they're suppose to be when printing on an underbase?
For example, I was printing a brownish gold and it came out yellow.  I'm told is common with DTG, but wonder if it's an excuse.  I also get streaking on certain art colors, ready to give up.  It prints some shirts perfect, others not so much.   It'll print white shirts all day long though.

[Alex M]

Usually it is not an excuse CMYK as a color gamut is not all the huge. It typically has issues with Greys Browns Purples.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

[inkman996]

Usually it is not an excuse CMYK as a color gamut is not all the huge. It typically has issues with Greys Browns Purples.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

Speaking of purple, brad as you know the brother we have is terrible with purple. How is the newer models handling this part of the color gamut?

[kingscreen]

They look great!