mbeebs2000

What a great idea. I would not worry about every mom and dad buying one the can already print shirts using transfers with products like t-shirt factory.

Backyard mechanics don't kill real auto service centers (only a bad operator)

I can cook a great meal for 20-30 at home, but to make a living I need a commercial kitchen with high quality tools (big $)
I suspect most industries are the same.

This may become a great tool for the enthusiast, just enough to put the taste in their mouth to take the plunge and buy a real commercial quality machine. This may force higher volume sales of quality machines thus driving down equipment prices.

This may create more competition, that will kill off the weak, but make a good operation even better in the long run (Darwinism)

Good luck with the project

 

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KCINNV

I'm not an engineer, but I think this is really neat. It may not be able to compare with the $15k version, but with suggestions from some of the engineers that have commented, maybe a better version could be made. I also don't think that everyone has the ability to make their shirts. So even if this was offered on the market for a low price, I don't think screen printers would have much to worry about. Most people would rather have someone else do the work.

 

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FredP

Quote: Originally Posted by AustinJeff That does sound daunting. Any chance acceptable results could be produced with one pass by tweaking the settings?

No. Registration is a hardware limitation. Print settings will not help enough.

Quote: Originally Posted by AustinJeff I wonder if there's any chance of an open source RIP being produced.

Not likely... but...

Lets look at the software from the same angle as we're looking at the hardware. What this thing needs is an inexpensive, simple, no-frills driver that gets the job done. Forget white ink, at least initially. That's just outside the scope of this product, in my opinion.

I missed "T"'s calls today (bad timing on both our parts) but I will be talking to him soon and we will discuss this as I have a few ideas.

I love the analogy of the backyard mechanic! In my opinion, this will NOT take food off anyone's table. I believe it could have the opposite effect. I think it could draw more people into the direct-to-garment world and perhaps generate more sales of the "professional" grade machines.

-- Fred

 

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YoDan

Yes T also called me yesterday and we discussed inks and a few other things, he has a few ideas as to where he is headed with this project and only he will decide as to what information he wants to release. I can only imagin the stream of calls that he is getting!
"Nice Talking to you T "
"YODan"

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www.printerjockey.net

 

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makemygraphix

Wow.. It has been unbelievable the amount of emails and calls I have had. I have spoken to some of the best in this industry and have been further educated on the whole printing process.
What I have done is still an accomplishment that I will never forget and I have made friends from all over the world because of it. I hope to be known as one of the first to bring this to an affordable concept to the public.
I realize that the reality is only a matter of time before you can go to the local office depot and purchase a printer at this level.

Now for the Bad news(sorta)....I have been contacted by a company in China (imagine that) who says they have a printer on this level and that it will be released soon in the US. I asked all the right questions I could think of and they answered all of them without a hitch. Here are some of the answers:
Their printer is based on a lexmark (cheaper than the epson) with a bulk system available for sublimation ink or dtg inks. You must pre-treat the shirt for the ink to become vibrant and washable but no heat is needed.
Right now it will not print white inks but they have the plans to make it print white also.
I asked for pictures and specs, video - they sent all of them to me quickly and I was impressed.....Now for the good news.....
They have offered to send me one to test out and compare to with the one have created. I have to pay for the shipping and the inks but the printer is free!
I know some of you are thinking it may be a scam...I think it may be but, I lost money before and I think I'm going to take the chance.
Now to cover some costs, I have decided to sell my plans to help me pay for the chinese printer and really see it for myself.
The plans I have are for the c88 printer(which has been discontinued) so if you plan on making one you better purchase it now.
I hope that the plans work for everyone(I know they won't) But I am making them pretty simple and basic mods only need to be done.
The measurements are a ball park figure and up to you if you modify them and make it better.

sorry for the long post......,
T

 

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YoDan

T
Did they happen to mention the price range of that printer?
"YODan"

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makemygraphix

Quote: Originally Posted by YoDan T Did they happen to mention the price range of that printer? "YODan"

YES...I'm not going to release the retail price they gave me, but most households can afford it with the average Visa card and every sign shop could not be without it for low quantity, basic quality T's.
I hope to become a distributor for them but only after I see it for myself and make sure it is very do-able!

Of course I will take care of the ones who have helped me!

T

 

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FredP

Hmmm. Interesting. Sounds like a whole new approach. Makes sense, though, that you don't "need" heat. The Lexmark heads are thermal. You couldn't use current d.t.g. inks because they are heat-activated. If you run those inks through the Lexmark head they will be heated during the jetting process... probably curing them right in the nozzle (bad). Of course, you don't need to pre-treat white cotton with the current inks either... can't have it both ways, I guess.

T, did they indicate if they're using their own inks (or third-party inks) or the OEM Lexmark inks?

-- Fred

 

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TahoeTomahawk

T you mentioned that they sent you videos of their printer. Any chance we could take a look?

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Mistewoods

Quote: Originally Posted by YoDan Yes T also called me yesterday and we discussed inks and a few other things, he has a few ideas as to where he is headed with this project and only he will decide as to what information he wants to release. I can only imagin the stream of calls that he is getting! "Nice Taliking to you T " "YODan"

Quite interesting! Hey T could a puzzle be run through your printer as it is right now? Dan has some that require no precoat to print on. They are a little thicker than a t-shirt though.

There have been some other really cool printers like the BelQuette Imaginail based on a Lexmark- so it seems like it might be possible for the Chinese model to be viable though probably not very durable?

Michele

 

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ditab72

This is going to make me sick...especially since I spent the big bucks on one and ended up selling it back to the company I bought it from for !/4 the price. I KNEW they were too expensive...GO GO GO!

 

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makemygraphix

When I receive the (chinese/lexmark) printer which should be a week or two before it gets here, as long as they follow through with their part)I will let everyone know how it does.

They did say that for the best results, is to use their special ink catridges or bulk ink they offer...But we know how that can go.

I'm not going to release the video on it because I would like to see it work in person, and I feel they are being nice to share it with me. I will keep everyone posted on the results.

As for now, I am almost done with the 1st set of plans using the c88 printer. I do plan to have them ready by Sat.

 

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grennix

Here is another Chinese printer that prints without heat or pressing.
No info about the process or what kind of ink they use.

T-shirt

Peter

 

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makemygraphix

So I guess there is more than one chinese company out there that is going to make something or already has made one like the diy one....
The one in this link looks to be smaller than the one I have seen, but does it look pretty close to the same design.
Has anyone else seen this one before?

 

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rusty

I thought you had said that you still had a few things to work out on your version and was asking for some help. But you are saying that you will have the plans ready for sale Saturday. Does that mean you have everything figured out and working properly?

 

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