Need help in deciding if the anajet is a good investment
My business partner and I are trying to decide if this product would be a good investment for our business. I have some questions regarding the actual monthly operational costs for the anajet (sprint or previous models included). How often have you needed to replace the print head? Besides leasing or financing costs, what is your average monthly overhead? Have you used this equipment outside? If so, how often? What additional maintenance costs and or issues to use outdoors? On average, how many articles do you print from your machine monthly?
Would anyone be willing to let me call and discuss your experience with this machine and the industry?
Re: Need help in deciding if the anajet is a good investment
I have a friend who purchased one after the salesman told her that the training would be in Atlanta, GA. We live in South Ga.
Anyway to make a long story short they were telling her she had to fly to CA for training. They did not tell her about the software or what she needed. Just make sure you are familiar with some sort of graphic software that it compatible with the printer.
She finally received her training, but is less than thrilled with the whole experience.
Re: Need help in deciding if the anajet is a good investment
Quote:
Originally Posted by hyjenist
My business partner and I are trying to decide if this product would be a good investment for our business. I have some questions regarding the actual monthly operational costs for the anajet (sprint or previous models included). How often have you needed to replace the print head? Besides leasing or financing costs, what is your average monthly overhead? Have you used this equipment outside? If so, how often? What additional maintenance costs and or issues to use outdoors? On average, how many articles do you print from your machine monthly?
Would anyone be willing to let me call and discuss your experience with this machine and the industry?
First of all, I wouldn't use outside. You need to use DTG printer in a controled environment. Humidity and temp will effect the printing. An hour worth of regular maintenance per week and perhaps about $20 worth of ink to account for maintenance and bringing the printer on line. Test printing would add but would be on a per new job basis. In the begining, these costs probably would be multiplied while you get familiar with you printer. The busier you are, the lower percentage of waste you will see overall. I've replaced the printhead once in 2 years.
Ian
__________________ imprimeo! ....Make your mark Btownpixelprint.com Are you kidding me?Free Embroidery software?
Re: Need help in deciding if the anajet is a good investment
they are great marketers, but...
all training is in CA...after that phone only.
ALL dtg machines have trouble because of the thicker white ink. That issue has not been solved yet. The two layers of inks for dark shirts makes the hand feel close to a transfer anyway so...
My suggestion, by the cmyk machine only. from whom ever you please.
less cost, less trouble, longer life,
do what you do well...don't try to be everything to everybody on one machine.
Use Target Graphics for dark shirt jobs that do not need a same day turn
Re: Need help in deciding if the anajet is a good investment
Quote:
ALL dtg machines have trouble because of the thicker white ink.
Not quite accurate. Yes, white ink is more difficult to manage, but not because the ink is "thicker" - there is a very finite range of "thickness" (viscosity) that is required for any ink to work in the heads of a dtg printer. The challenge is that the white ink pigment (TiO2) is heavier than the organic pigments used in the colors. This presents an issue with settling of the pigments - requiring proper agitation/circulation of the white ink to prevent settling. Static bulk/cartridge systems do not prevent this settling and thus will need to be "manually" agitated - though this does nothing for the inks in the lines and dampers/cartridges.
If looking at an option to do darks and lights I suggest you look into all of the major brands on the market to determine which ones fit your needs/desires the most in all aspects.
Re: Need help in deciding if the anajet is a good investment
White Ink was a nightmare at the beginning stage of DTG's. Time pass by ink Mfg made better ink and Printer Mfg come up with better ideas. Such as Viper's circulate system, NeoFlex's auto clean, and sealed cartridge (Brother, Anajet started. Now most of us have it) system helps a LOT to avoid Clog.
And there are extras "Know-How" many Mfg have it but they will never reveal (same as me).
I can say "White ink nightmare is over with minimum care" Sweet Dream!!!$$$$
Re: Need help in deciding if the anajet is a good investment
I've had my AnaJet (with white ink) for almost 15 months. Same printhead, capping station, dampers as came with the machine. I did buy extra wiper blades, and wiper blade foam so I can rotate in a new one when I clean my capping station.
Training has always been in CA. AnaJet does have dealers who will sell and support the machine, but the training has always been in beautiful Orange County. My wife and I used the trip as a nice getaway before starting the hectic DTG experience.
Get samples from the different manufacturers and do your own wash tests. I've been extremely pleased with my decision, but there are several other great machines out there as well.
Re: Need help in deciding if the anajet is a good investment
Quote:
Originally Posted by hyjenist
My business partner and I are trying to decide if this product would be a good investment for our business. I have some questions regarding the actual monthly operational costs for the anajet (sprint or previous models included). How often have you needed to replace the print head? Besides leasing or financing costs, what is your average monthly overhead? Have you used this equipment outside? If so, how often? What additional maintenance costs and or issues to use outdoors? On average, how many articles do you print from your machine monthly?
Would anyone be willing to let me call and discuss your experience with this machine and the industry?
Don't make the mistake of buying an Anajet Printer! Email us at (tasteofinkprinting@hotmail.com) for an honest and accurate account of our experience with the printer...
Re: Need help in deciding if the anajet is a good investment
I have an anajet and a brother, when doing cmyk they are both great no maintenance, but I do the maintenance on the anajet always even if not printing white. There is a learning curve to the white ink as with anything, The only thing I will say about the white ink is that if you do not have the business to do dark shirts then wait until you do. This machine needs to be used often to justify the cost fo the white ink.
If you are just wanting to get into it to do one offs then you may want to re think, it is great for those typ of jobs but you are not going to want to do an ink charge for one shirt, if you have the business or think you will, what I suggest is to do all the dark orders on one day of the week so that when you are using the white ink the cost is justified. I kept having this kid come in with 1 or 2 shirts and wanting me to print on them, they were dark shirts so white ink needed. I did tell him this past week I am not going to be able to do that anymore unless he can wait until I have other jobs to do. Just to expensive to do a couple of shirts at a time unless it is cmyk.
Overall I like the machine and the tech support is very helpful any time I have had to call them
Re: Need help in deciding if the anajet is a good investment
Agreed. The machine would be nearly problem free without the white option. However, can you base a business on only CMYK printing? Apparently you can (Brother). We've had little demand for it...
Re: Need help in deciding if the anajet is a good investment
Caution: Don't do it unless you want to pay to print shirts. Do some research on these dtg machines
(anajet). Had one for one year (anajet) sold it for half of what we paid for it not counting what we spent on ink. Almost broke up my partnership thank God we are still together. Custmer support was A1 but they weren't spending hundreds on ink loss. I don't believe in bad mouthing a business, but we definitely thought it was not worth the outrageous price.
Need help in deciding if the anajet is a good investment 
