Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
I need your help...I am getting ready to purchase an oki5500. I have read good reviews about it here. Well, then today I start finding a lot of posts about the Epson c88. I am really confused. We are talking about a $520.00 difference. I would really appreciate your opinion.
I went to Staples site to look them both up. Here is what I found...
Epson® Stylus® C88+ Color Inkjet Printer
Powerful performance for all your printing projects.
Speeds through critical projects and reports, delivering amazing quality and durability, time after time, with revolutionary DURABrite® Ultra pigment ink. This powerful performer gives you incredible results, whether you're printing a photo or proposal.
With so many people raving over one or the other I have no idea which one is the better buy. We will be doing alot of printing heat transfers. I am curious what you think the big difference is between the two because the cost is really different. Thanks.
You are just trying to compare two different printers that can be used for two different type transfers...Both are very good for their intended purpose.
I use Epsons for inkjet and sublimation (two printers..one for inkjet transfers and one for sublimation) and I have an OKI 5800 which I use with DuraCotton and other color laser papers. Cost per image is probably less with the Oki...but again...it depends on how/what you want to use
Bill is right on...spend the extra $79 or so and have both...
Ok, that gives me a better idea. I now realize my problem is that I didn't know there were so many differences.
With either of these printers....are the transfers only good on white and ash? My understanding is that they are on a white base...so, if I have a very transparent design, this won't work for me? I mainly will do school shirts and that will just be the name of the school, mascot name and some art...rather than a solid picture/design with lots of colors. There will be some of that though. So, if I have a name on the top, art in the middle and mascot name on the bottom...with these printers work? Thanks so much for your help.
most of the laser papers..duracotton, imageclip are for light/ash colors and on cotton. sublimation is only white/ash and only polyester. You can do dark with the C88+ and an opaque paper. Badalou has just posted a video of using the ironall for dark paper and he was pleased with it..with that you can use it on most any color as it is a transfer. Or you can always get plastisol transfers and have the look/feel of screen print.
For what you want, I think Inkjet might be the way to go. I will defer to others on the type of inks etc to use..with the laser printer, I am not aware of any real good choice for darks. I have tried some but opted not to sell them. The new ironall may work..time will tell
After reading your posts and doing some research. I am almost willing to go 100% with an oki 5500 and duracotton on 50/50 cotton/etc material. I have looked to find what a full 8x11 transfer would cost in ink. Do you have any breakdowns that you would be willing to share.
I believe for what I am setting up that to calculate a full cost of one 8.5 x 11 would be fair and then I will do a calculation on top of that.
simon...best guestimate...and it is guessing since size, image colors..etc will effect end cost..But having said that...figuring 50% coverage, cost should be between 1.20- 1.50 USD depending on how you purchase the paper.. Or at least that is the word from the US master distributor of DuraCotton.. any other specific questions..why not contact me off line
I appreciate your guestimate. So, the price you mentioned was the total cost including transfer ('I'm hoping')
My phone was stolen and I have to wait for my replacement. I may try to contact you through your website directly as I feel possibly close to setting everything up. Or just try calling the number listed on the website.
I need a full color application for what I am doing and my feeling is this may be one way to go, atleast for now to start.
Simon..yes cost of paper is include in my guesstimate. remember duracotton is for white/ash...not for dark as is imageclip. Feel free to contact me via my website email or phone number listed
Your opinion/ experience for oki5500 vs c88 
Re: Your opinion/ experience for oki5500 vs c88 
