Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
I have read all the post on heat presses and know that which quality presses are available and which ones I need to buy. However I am new to this and want to gradually get larger. My predictement is should I use Ebay and buy one of their $280-300 presses to start with and when I find out if I like it or not buy one of the nicer ones in the $500-600 range? I could swallow a cheaper one better if I found out I didn't want to do it rather than all that money.
Does anyone have any experience with the no name ebay presses and will they be good for beginners like me?
My predictement is should I use Ebay and buy one of their $280-300 presses to start with and when I find out if I like it or not buy one of the nicer ones in the $500-600 range?
You should start out with the best equipment that you can afford.
If you start with cheaper equipment (at least as far as a heat press is concerned), you may decide it's not for you because of the equipment, instead of the process.
You should start out with the best equipment that you can afford.
I agree 100%. Sometimes it's a big nut to crack, but spending the money on decent equipment will make learning easier and will produce a better quality end product. If it's just a hobby that's different I guess, but if you want to sell your work, you need professional results, and to get professional results you need good quality equipment.
I bought one of those "less expensive" heat presses from ebay when I started out doing transfers. It worked/works well for me. Ive had it about 2years now and havent had any problems. It takes about 15mins to warm up, but thats no problem at all. I just turn it on when I start printing the transfers.
i had the opposite experience. I suggest gettig a used name brand press, if money is limited. I have purchased 3 used press' from ebay and have been happy wih them all...... JB
Any more opinions here? I appreciate Rodney's word, has anyone used the presses off ebay and what was their experience?
I recently purchased my heat press from Coastal. It took me 2 years to decide. I am a very picky buyer, I like to get my monies worth. I also like to purchase items that I know I can sell to someone else if I decide I no longer want to press tshirts. Whatever I purchase must be in demand. I also use this method when buying a car.....I buy the brand which most people would love to have. The item must have a good re-sale value or hold its value.
My 16 x 20 mighty press from Coastal business is built like a tank.
If I had to resell it, I don't think I would have a problem doing so.
Lining up transfers on large shirts are a breeze without having
half the shirt laying off the sides and onto the table top.
I would suggest, bite the bullet and get a good press, you won't be sorry.
This was my first press, had to put it on a credit card, but it was worth it.
Can anyone recommend any good brand new cheap presses?
I just need one that works well, I don't need features and maximum size I would need would be 8x12
Newshirtguy...to paraphrase an old adage, there are cheap presses, there are good presses, but there are no cheap/good presses.
The cheap presses you see on ebay etc are chinese..very little if any support or parts replacements...the name brands you see from our vendors carry lifetime warranty on heating element...something to think about
I bought one of the "cheap" new presses from e-bay and regretted it. For me personally, I wanted my t-shirts to look proffessional. I didn't get the results I was looking for from the cheap heat press because the temp guage was not accurate and there were too few heating elements in the press which created cold spots. I ended up losing about $200 in shipping costs to return the press. All said and done, if I just spent a couple hundred $ more at the start I could have had a great press without the set back.
Buy an American made press. Not only are they better, press more evenly and have less problems. You may help save an American job, then one day because they have a job
might buy a heat pressed item from you.
I also bought a heat press from ebay and have been using it for almost 6 months now without any problems. Cost was $289 plus $50 shipping.
The name of the company who sells it is called ASC360 I think..
I am a newbie to the boards, and just recently purchased my first press. I bought the Geo Knight JP12, which is only 9" x 12" and is a swing-away press. For my purposes, doing children's clothes, I thought the size was sufficient. However, just did a few adult Large shirts, and they were a problem -- I needed the transfer in portrait style, and had to put the shirt horizontally on the lower press. This meant that a bunch of fabric had to be bunched up under the arm holding the upper platen. It was definitely not the optimal way to press shirts! If I had larger sizes to do on a regular basis, the JP12 just wouldn't cut it! When I was doing the adult shirts, I cursed my decision to buy that model and size, and wished I had a 15 x 15 (at a minimum) clamshell where there is nothing in your way from positioning the shirts!
Once I was doing the small shirts again, I was just OK with my original decision, but then again, I'm not doing a large volume of shirts, either.
Just thought you might gain a little insight on the smaller hobby presses...
DONT BUY CHEAP!! I bought one from Sunie and got so discouraged I almost quit. I thought I was doing everything wrong, only to find out it was the heat press. The transfers peeled once the shirts were washed, and there were cold spots everywhere. After 2 months I bought a mighty press from coastal, and I cant tell you the difference. Every transfer peels perfect. You are taking a big risk, and in the long run you will spend more on wasted shirts and transfers. Wait and save the extra. Mine was 650 including shipping. Well worth the extra 300.00
Cheap heat press ok for beginners? 
