Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
These look to be similar quality of the more name brand presses, and the seem to be going on eBay for around $400 brand new, often including shipping.
Does anyone have any personal experience or any type of advice about these types of presses?
One thing you might want to consider if you are thinking about buying a heat press on Ebay is warranty and service. If your inexpensive press breaks down, it could be very expensive to fix, or you might not even be able to find anyone to repair it. If it is a name brand press with a warranty, sold by a reputable dealer, you will be a lot better off. It might be more expensive in the beginning but it could save you a lot of headaches.
If you haven't read it yet, I'd definitely recommend you read this thread from Rodney about some of the features to look for in a good press:
Also, you're probably better off buying just the press (not one of those press + paper combo deals). All transfer papers are not created equally, you should sample several brands before deciding which one you need to use. I think most places that sell transfer paper can send you a sample or two.
I'm not really thinking of the press+combo deals. I might have posted one of them as an example (I really can't remember) but I would consider the transfer papers worth basically nothing. I know that the diffference in quality of transfers is huge, and am planning on buying a few high quality transfers, but plan to do the bulk of my business with a vinyl cutter/custom plastisol transfers.
I understand the difference as far as the warranty goes, but the question I ask myself, is how durable the machines are? I've heard the heat presses in generally tend to be durable, and are not usually prone to problems. The cheaper one is brand new, and it seems extremely unlikely to have a problem when new/close to new.
I am looking at the difference between the name brand and generic ones, and it's difficult to justify paying at least 50% more for the name brand when they seem to have the same features, warranty or not.
Any more information/insight would be greatly appreciated!
I've heard the heat presses in generally tend to be durable, and are not usually prone to problems. The cheaper one is brand new, and it seems extremely unlikely to have a problem when new/close to new.
Alec, I think what you have heard re: press durability was more in regards to the brand name presses, not any press being new or used. I am yet to read a post that praises a generic new OR used press on this forum, and I read a lot of threads on heat presses. Since you are on a budget I'd advice to try and find a used BUT brand name press in that same price range as the new generic ones you are watching on ebay. Ebay and craigslist do have used units listed all the time.
If you make a quick list of all the pros and cons of buying a new/generic versus used/brand name you might see more winning points for the used press.
Alic, do your self a favor and those of us who care. Don't buy anything but a brand name. I use the mighty press that I bought from coastal and received excellent service and the shipping was included in the price. This company stands behind every product. There are a lot more that offer the same but Coastal is at the top of my list. I would also not buy a used piece of equipment unless you knew its history and you can see it up close and personal. Just looking at the box that your picture on ebay showed scares me. Lou
__________________ There is a center to everything.. I found mine at.. www.heatpressessentials.com Tools to get the job done! www.tbiz101.com (New)Heat Transfer Education
__________________ There is a center to everything.. I found mine at.. www.heatpressessentials.com Tools to get the job done! www.tbiz101.com (New)Heat Transfer Education
Here are my initial cautions and I would recommend a brand name as well
Potential Problems:
There is only a 6 month warranty on the heater. Most major manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on the heating element guaranteeing no cold spots.
If I were to guess, I'd say that the actual heating element (the wiring inside of the top platen) is in the shape of the letter "Z". This shape creates cold spots in two major areas of the press and sacrifices the durability of any transfer. Major manufacturers offer cast in tubular element that is spaced somewhere around every inch in a winding pattern.
The temperature and time gauges are on separate sides of the machine. Not a all in one control board that tells time and temperature. I'd check to be sure that each resets automatically with each cycle.
The pressure adjustment knob is in the back of the machine. This creates more pressure on the part of your transfer that is towards the back (doesn't make for good results), and often limits you to just thin items, like t-shirts.
The listing doesn't mention anything about a floatational platen. This will create a pinch effect and create uneven pressure or even move your transfer when you are trying to press.
The shovel style handle does not look very sturdy to me. I would back this up by referencing the weight of the machine (52 lbs or so)
The thermal pad or the orange pad on the bottom of the press appears to be only an 1/8" thick and does not extend to the outside edge of the metal platen. This means that the pad will wear and tear easier (most major manufacturers offer a 1/4" pad). And the exposed metal lower platen, worries me when you think of sliding garment on and off the press (they might snag or rip).
I think thats all for now Just don't want to see you waste your money for a 6 month warranty.
These look to be similar quality of the more name brand presses, and the seem to be going on eBay for around $400 brand new, often including shipping.
Does anyone have any personal experience or any type of advice about these types of presses?
Thank you all so much (esp. you Josh) for taking the time to explain to me the exact reasons why the brand name presses are so much better than the cheaper ones.
Josh, the features that you listed, do pretty much every single name brand press contain these features? I'm mainly looking at the Stahls Mighty Press and a couple of the HIX Presses.
Also, how is buying a name brand press used? I know I've heard they are durable, is this a good option?
I use the Mighty press which is a Stahls. I love it. It is a hardy machine. Well constructed. if you look at any my videos you will see it in action. Lou
__________________ There is a center to everything.. I found mine at.. www.heatpressessentials.com Tools to get the job done! www.tbiz101.com (New)Heat Transfer Education
Stahls and Hix are the top two brands in my opinion. Getting them used can be a good deal, but you are sacrificing warranty though, so make sure it is in good condition. However, I'd rather get a unwarranted Stahls or Hix press than a generic model.
we bought a press from ebay, it was a third of the price of other presses in the UK (alot of UK presses just have a badge added + £2 - £300), it arrived damaged, we got a replacement within 7 days and have been using the press for the last year, no problems with uneven heat etc.... im very happy with it and the fct we saved a fortune. i know there are some crap ones out there bu i also personally think there is alot of heat press snobbery about.
sodrisc, I'm glad you had good luck with your press. I wonder if anyone else that has actually bought one of these off-brande machines can chime in with any other results of their press. I know everyone recommends a brand name, but has anyone actually tried one of these "inferior" machines. I feel where Alec is coming from when it comes to the price. I was really swayed to buy a machine off ebay when I came across a used National Screen Printing press. I think the company is actually out of business. I'm not sure what that says about the quality of the press? Time will tell as I'm waiting for my first transfer samples to come in.
sodrisc, I'm glad you had good luck with your press. I wonder if anyone else that has actually bought one of these off-brande machines can chime in with any other results of their press. I know everyone recommends a brand name, but has anyone actually tried one of these "inferior" machines. I feel where Alec is coming from when it comes to the price. I was really swayed to buy a machine off ebay when I came across a used National Screen Printing press. I think the company is actually out of business. I'm not sure what that says about the quality of the press? Time will tell as I'm waiting for my first transfer samples to come in.
I've purchased and tested about 10 different off brand models over the last few years. I cannot recommend any of them.
I have not tested the one that was originally asked about, but the 6 month warranty on the heating part of heat press is a major problem. Consider that almost all major brand heat presses offer a lifetime warranty on the heater and the difference on this model is clear.
To achieve an accurate heat transfer you need three elements: time, temperature and pressure. When you're looking at a press you cannot sacrifice any of these three elements, or quality of your finished product is sacrificed.
When deciding between bells and whistles its fine to save some money. I would even save by sacrificing the size of the press before I would compromise time, temperature or pressure.
ebaY Heat Press? 
