Suggestions for print software to gang multiple face mask images for printing.

[dgberg]

I have just about all the software but only print out of Lightroom and occasionally Photoshop. Will be printing multiple face mask images at one time for dye sublimation.
I need layers to be able to work on the template but Photoshop gang printing leaves a lot to be desired. The other software I have I really do not use any of them to print.
So which one should I dig into for a very simple layout and print for what I am trying to do?
Lightroom, Photoshop, On1, Qimage/Mac, Capture One 20, or something else?

[deanwork]

QIMAGE is excellent layout program and has free trial to test, great value.  Also Photoshops contact sheet allows you to easily adjust module sizes, the border sizes and color of background etc. I’ve done tons of grids equally spaced fast  just with that. Look for youtube videos.

I have just about all the software but only print out of Lightroom and occasionally Photoshop. Will be printing multiple face mask images at one time for dye sublimation.
I need layers to be able to work on the template but Photoshop gang printing leaves a lot to be desired. The other software I have I really do not use any of them to print.
So which one should I dig into for a very simple layout and print for what I am trying to do?
Lightroom, Photoshop, On1, Qimage/Mac, Capture One 20, or something else?

[dgberg]

Thank you John. I have QIMAGE but never really used it as I have always loved Lightroom. Time to get out of my comfort zone.

[dgberg]

Fooling around a little with QIMAGE and I don't see a plugin from Photoshop. It is there in Lightroom though.
I updated my Qimage software and have no Photoshop plugins, thought that was an automatic install. (Mac)


Found them and installed manually, Library,Application Support, Adobe, Plugins,cc.

[TeamG]

I like Mirage for layout

Lightroom > Select images > export > mirage > and then play with grids and copies

[dgberg]

Played around with it for several hours yesterday and for ganging multiple prints it really is good. I have to delve in to it a little deeper.
I need to learn how it really works(Had problems closing out and need to learn how to save templates) to get full use out of it.

[Ferp]

Qimage is good for this sort of thing, but it isn't all that intuitive, even if you've used other printer s/w.  It does take a bit of learning.  For those on Mac, Print Tool is also an option, although I don't recall whether it can save templates like Qimage can.

[Jeremy Roussak]

Consider this idea: printing people's own faces on their masks. Weird.

Jeremy

[dgberg]

I've seen that. The problem with the custom masks is the required time to get it out of the printer.
It takes a minimum of 15 minutes usually until you can hit the print button.

Open up the email from the order.
If they have sent you an image download it into PS.
Load the mask template and import the image.
Resize the image to fit the mask template.
Confirm proper settings and print.
Press is setup and hot.
Press.
package.
Load Postage software.
Type in shipping information.
Print out label on Dymo.
Take to post box.
Whew! I am going to talk myself out of this.
All for about $7.50 a mask.

I will have on my sale site no one offs. No way to make money , period.
Sold Qtys. of 2, 5 or 10. All of the same image. You want 5 different images you must get 10 masks.
Probably turn some people off but that's the way it is.

What many mask vendors are doing is offering a limited number of designs (I have 50) and printing stock on hand of those designs.
They print and press 25 or 50 at a time and when stock runs low they print and press another 50.
They advertise on their site RTS (Ready To Send) Someone orders 1 of each design the shipper just picks them off of stock and packages them.
A much better business model for manufacturing and selling. May have to consider that.

[Lewando_Images]

   I don't want to discourage you but I think you might be a little late to the party. I think you will have to come up with some idea to separate your product from everyone else's. Every fabric artist I know is making cloth masks and every silkscreen company I know of has moved to silk-screening and fabric printing masks. Mostly because T-shirt orders have decreased and they are trying to stay afloat. So I would look for something to make my product stand out from the rest. Unless of course your market is different and still under served.
    Good luck with your adventure.......it could still work just try to be different

[dgberg]

I gave that much thought I must say. The biggest problem is getting masks. Several hundred+ ordered from 3 suppliers and none shipped here in four weeks. That is a killer right there.
Hundreds of people selling them. I am putting some feelers out about wholesale printing for many of these dye subbers. Many of them are printing 1 sheet/image at a time with a small format printer.
With a 24" and 44" dye sub printers I can print a hundred images roll it in a tube and send it out pretty inexpensively.
Just trying to fill some gaps until my regular wide format printing, mounting and framing business picks back up again.