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1 4 G R A P H I C S P R O • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 G R A P H I C S - P R O. C O M California, a seller of digital imaging products for the apparel industry that includes printers, presses, and accessories. Graphics One offers an eco-solvent printer, 24" to 64", as a basic tool to get started in apparel. Raster image processing (RIP) soft- ware sends images to the printer and drives the cutters to cut out the images. e data typically is too large for a regular printer, so the printer has specific drivers to ensure the image data and colors are correct. "You need a PC or Mac to house graphic software to drive the printer or cutter," Barefoot notes. From there, the tools can differ depending on the printing option. Dye sublimation, which involves printing to paper and then using heat to transfer the image to the garment, requires a desktop-sized or large-format printer, RIP software, and a heat press. DTG is a process of using pigment ink to print directly to gar- ments and requires a special DTG printer, RIP software, a pre- treat device, and a heat press. DTF involves a special powder applied to ink, which is then cured, and the image is transferred to the garment. e tools and equipment include a desktop printer, ink, film, powder, and most often a heat press. e different printing options all include the heat press – a piece of machinery that uses heat to apply graphics onto vari- ous substrates using pressure applied from the upper platen onto the lower platen. For dye sublimation, the graphic is printed on paper that is then placed on top of the garment, and the heat press is used to press the paper onto the garment. Alternatively, with DTG, where the ink is printed directly onto the garment, the press is used to cure the ink. The Epson GO SubliMate DS-2400 24" printer bundle can handle various types of garment printing jobs. (Image courtesy Graphics One) Depending on type, tabletop shears offer quick and clean cutting of metal and plastic. (Image courtesy Johnson Plastics Plus) " My favorite shop tool is our custom software we had designed to manage our com- pany. It allows us to work with our customers and our team from anywhere in the world! It is truly a game changer!" — Howard Potter, A&P Master Images LLC " The favorite production tool(s) added recently, are our Highland embroidery machines – and we loved the first one so much, we added a second one six months later. The lasers will always be our first love, but the variety of items and how it has exponen- tially expanded our services has proven invaluable!" — Deanna Ramm, Centex Laser Engraving & Embroidery What's your favorite shop tool? What's your favorite shop tool?