How do they do that?

[Linda Tetreault]

I found this site & was amazed at the different things they offered. I was really interested in the glasswear, but it was all pretty great. The site is http://www.stickershopunlimited.com/ How is this done, it looks like they can apply it to cloth as well as hardgoods.

[Mike Null]

Your link doesn't appear to be a good one.

Without seeing more it looks like vinyl.

[Mike Davis NC]

I think that is pad printing, basically a screen printing process that uses an offset pad to print on then the image is transfered from the pad to the object.

I have seen many years ago the process in use for golf balls, glasses, pens and other odd shaped objects.


edit: after looking at the site I agree it is just vinyl stickers.

But, pad printing is a better way for larger volume orders.

[Linda Tetreault]

Thank you,

We have an embroidery machine, Epilog laser & heat seal machine, a vinyl cutter may be just what we need. I guess I thought of vinyl cutters just for signs & banners, didn't know you could do small items like glasses. Any suggestion on equipment, probably not larger than 24".

[Sam Harbold]

I have had good luck with this vinyl cutter.
http://www.uscutter.com/USCutter-MH-...ter-_p_25.html

I have the 25" model with stand and for the price it has been great.

[Martin Boekers]

Thank you,

We have an embroidery machine, Epilog laser & heat seal machine, a vinyl cutter may be just what we need. I guess I thought of vinyl cutters just for signs & banners, didn't know you could do small items like glasses. Any suggestion on equipment, probably not larger than 24".

Sometimes we need to look outside the box. I use vinyl for nametags
when the client needs color. I don't have a cutter but for small jobs the laser is fine to cut.

Marty

[Steve Hudepohl]

I am a new member and in the process of purchasing a laser and this thread is just what I was looking for. If I understand correctly, you can cut vinyl with a laser (i am looking at a 60watt) and use a heat transfer press to apply to glasses?

Trying to learn as much as I can before purchasing

[Scott Shepherd]

Steve, no, you can't do that. You can't heat press a glass, or vinyl. Heat pressing vinyl will melt it, the heat press doesn't do glasses.

[Martin Boekers]

I am a new member and in the process of purchasing a laser and this thread is just what I was looking for. If I understand correctly, you can cut vinyl with a laser (i am looking at a 60watt) and use a heat transfer press to apply to glasses?

Trying to learn as much as I can before purchasing

I cut vinyl on a very LIMITED basis with the laser, as it does produce a hazardous gas.

Haven't played with this type transfer for glasses, not sure of durability.
I have use Rowmark Mates (dye-sub) decals for ceramic mugs and seemed
fairly durable. Dye Sub has come along way thanks to the Ricoh line of printers.
Mug presses vary, some use the standard presses, others like the wraps and
even another way that uses an oven type device that helps glaze it. I have
even used (magic Touch) laser transfer for non-dye sub coated
mugs with some success. No complaints but must hand wash.

Sharpie sells opaque oil based pens that adhere to glass as well as other substrates
quite well but havent found a masking that works well.

LazerBits and General Chemical makes a liquid mask that's laseable,
just haven't tried it yet.


Good luck and let us know your findings!


Marty

[Martin Boekers]

Steve, no, you can't do that. You can't heat press a glass, or vinyl. Heat pressing vinyl will melt it, the heat press doesn't do glasses.

Scott,

How do they press vinyl decals onto jerseys?
Is it a special vinyl or just a low heat and pressure?
Iv'e thought about outsourcing some since now cutters can
print and cut.

Iv'e pressed coated glass mugs (dye sub) not very nice though

I did like the new Sharpie oil pens though except for bleeding.


Marty

[Scott Shepherd]

Special vinyl made to do that.

[Steve Hudepohl]

Thanks for the information! I am going to look into the Lazerbit and General Chemical. I know that there is a product from Chemark but the colors are very limited when using a CO2 laser. I will keep you posted.

[AL Ursich]

When you look at a Vinyl Cutter US Cutter is a Good place to look. They did me right.... I bought a basic version and before opening it decided I needed or wanted a machine that could read registration marks and go back and cut stickers. They let me upgrade to a Graphtec FC7000-60 with me paying the shipping back to them. I highly recommend them for that act of Kindness....

I did not do all the homework that I needed to do in the beginning and Stickers was one of my products...

AL

[Gary Hair]

If I understand correctly, you can cut vinyl with a laser

NO, NO, NO, NO!

No...

No!

Cutting vinyl will produce hydrochloric acid - it will (almost immediately) cause your laser to rust and if you breathe the fumes it can cause lung damage.

There are two things that are specifically mentioned as "do not laser", Teflon and PVC, both produce toxic (and/or caustic) fumes. Anything with the word "vinyl" contains PVC. There are people who say the cut vinyl with no ill affects but why chance damaging equipment that cost you many thousands of dollars and is likely to be your source of income?

Gary

[Steve Kothig]

Hi Linda, the glasses are screen printed, then in order to hold the inks to the glass so they don't wash off they would need to bake in. This process is great if you are doing volume, just like pad printing, a screen needs to be made and ink squeegee on, it can be messy but when you have 100's to do the cost is low,