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merc476 · August 21st, 2008

Hi,

I currently have a heat press and I plan on buying a mug press. Only problem is that I have an epson R1900 that I use mainly for printing transparencies for screen printing and occasionally for heat transfers. I wanted to get into making mugs and mouse pads but there isn't any sublimation setups for the R1900 yet. At the same time, i want to try to avoid using the same printer for both. I would like to know from those with experience, what is the cheapest printer that I can get to begin printing mugs and mouse pads. i want to see if this works out first and then i'll spend the extra money on the good stuff later. THANKS!

lben · August 21st, 2008

The Epson C88+ is about $80 and if you buy it from Epson their shipping is free, at least it was for me (I bought 3 of them). Then you still have to buy the sub dye, and that's where the price comes in...

Ib4E · August 21st, 2008

Alpha Supply Company out of Nashville are very knowledgable. They can help with inks papers and the printer itself. The employees are very nice to work with.

DREAMGLASS · August 21st, 2008

Hi. It wouldn't be realistic to use the same printer for both, as sublimation ink is very expensive. If you didn't get rid of every drop of regular inkjet ink when changing over, you would end up with ruined sublimation blanks, as only the sublimation ink would transfer.

merc476 · August 21st, 2008

Thank you all for your comments. Very helpful info. I was looking at the epson c88+. Not a bad price. Since I really don't know much about the sublimation ink and what now, can you give me a rough estimate of how much it would cost to get the epson c88+ ready for printing? Just a rough estimate. I'm trying to decide if I should just go ahead and buy the printer. But that will depend on how much everything else is going to cost. Thanks again guys

DREAMGLASS · August 21st, 2008

Hi. You will find the sublimation ink will cost several times the cost of the printer itself. Research some prices before you commit to buying the printer. You may be in for a shock!

lben · August 21st, 2008

My sublimation ink was $340.00 for my Epson C88+. That was for a package of CMYK normal size, not bulk - for ONE printer. Individual ink cartridges are $85 each. To get a bulk ink system the price is $129 for the kit and $608 for the ink! I had 3 printers to buy for: regular inkjet, sublijet, and Chromablast. Ouch, the printers were the least of my worries. For $79 they're pretty much disposables, but the ink is like liquid gold... I don't want to waste a drop of it. The paper for sublimation is $15.59 for 100 sheets of 8 1/2" X 11" paper.

All told $435.60 + S/H will get you started.

Conde_David · August 21st, 2008

Great question. Bottom line is that epson designed their carts with one goal in mine to keeep you in your
car going to and from the store to buy more. I strongly believe you should not buy carts but should invest
in a bulk system. I am happy to debate this issue as I have been there! Either buy a bulk system or wait.

uncletee · August 22nd, 2008

we use refillable carts for our c-88 amd love them, they go a long way between fills, much cheaper then cis system.

merc476 · August 22nd, 2008

Thanks for all the comments and advice. Looking like the c88 is going to be the best bet for me. Sorry for the dumb question but whats the differenct between a cart and a bulk system? Also, how many prints would you say you can get out of each before needing to refill? I'm sure it depends on what you're printing but what's a rough estimate? Thanks again.

DREAMGLASS · August 22nd, 2008

Hi. Cart is a standard printer cartridge. Bulk system is a set of tanks that connect to the printer via silicon tubing. Also known as CIS - Continuous Ink System.

The bulk system is more suited to heavy usage.

merc476 · August 22nd, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by DREAMGLASS


	Hi. Cart is a standard printer cartridge. Bulk system is a set of tanks that connect to the printer via silicon tubing. Also known as CIS - Continuous Ink System. The bulk system is more suited to heavy usage.

I was watching a video on youtube from ryonet about those things and even in the video it looked like those things were a pain in the *** and messy. Maybe its not as bad as it looks. So that's what costs $600?

Conde_David · August 22nd, 2008

I think there is some confusion. Ink will cost the same whether in a bottle (for refill carts or a bottle CIS system) or in a bag for the Easy Flow CIS system. Refill carts work well but must be refilled. I like both but for small printers, I lean towards the CIS systems as it is less work on me.

lben · August 22nd, 2008

The 4 bottles of ink for the CIS system.

dim116 · August 22nd, 2008

Also, keep in mind the C88 is now discontinued by Epson so it may be hard to find. It is replaced by the C120 which is in the same price range (around $69. in my area)
I also use the refillable cartridges. you just have to buy the bottles of ink and refill them right in the printer with a syringe. Works everytime with no problems. Startup costs for this process is much less than the CIS & you are still saving by buying th ink in bulk.

Lar