How to produce teardrop style banners

[remlap3]

Hi all,

Have always wondered how teardrop banners are produced, you know the type you see outside a petrol station etc?
Are they dye sub printed? How are they actually printed, is there heat involved etc?

What sort of equipment is needed to produce them?

Any answers greatly welcome
Cheers
Steve

[socialgiraffe]

The actual material is printed using something like a versacam or mitoh. You can purchase the material in rolls from somewhere like Metamark. Once printed they are then stitched to the shape required (which I think is the tricky part!).

I have on occassion seen them dye sub printed but do not see the point as it would be more expensive than printing direct to the fabric.

[remlap3]

Hmmm, interesting - A versacam is next on my list for gear! They seem extremely flexible in the amount of formats and materials they can print on... Anyone got one that can give any tips for or against? Or indeed any alternatives?

[Paul]

They are also sublimated
but you need special heat press that will take fabric and transfer between rollers.

[socialgiraffe]

Paul, they are not sublimated as it is too expensive compared to printing direct to fabric.

Steve, it depends on your business. I have a Versacamm configured to print white and metallic, I also have an oki white toner system. I would argue that finances aside, the Oki will make more money for me over the coming year than the VS. But that is because generally I do not push the VS that much. great for a lot of things, you just have to think about your customers and what you want to sell

[socialgiraffe]

Sorry Paul, read your post wrong. You are correct that sometimes they are sublimated

[Paul]

yeah. i have seen video somewhere but cant find it. but on this one 0:59sec you can see printed transfer for honda