Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Sadly, the 8800 is out of my budget range. Luckily though, my artwork is all spot art since my old business model used plastisol transfers.. so I'm not too worried about not having incredible photo quality, or printing very large sheets. I am happy to have a soft hand, color fast, self-weeding system in-house for short orders, hence laser/image clip.
So... Staples has an Oki 3400 ($300) and Oki 5500 ($500)
Differences: The 5500 is faster, has twice the memory, a larger monthly duty cycle, and a larger paper tray.
Similarities: They are the same in resolution, maximum paper size, and warranty.
So is the 5500 worth the extra $200? Is the difference noticible in the end product or is it just add-ons like speed and paper tray (aren't sheets fed individually anyways?). Also, is there a better supplier than Staples? I can save on shipping by picking it up at the store in my area.
I will use imageclippaper for light garments but continue outsourcing custom plastisol transfers for dark fabrics.
Having owned both for a short time, I'd say no. Paper tray does not matter, You'll be feeding single sheets through the MP tray anyway. The 3400 is single sheet feed only. The 5500 is supposed to take multiple sheets in the MP tray, but it always jammed on the 2nd or 3rd so I had to feed single sheets anyway.
why buy a refurb printer that is going out of production soon, if not already..I have used the MP tray in my 5800 with up to 10 sheets..no jamming..guess I lead a charmed life.
why order and pay shipping pick up the unit of choice..get the unit at the store and the rebate form and save both ways
why buy a refurb printer that is going out of production soon, if not already..I have used the MP tray in my 5800 with up to 10 sheets..no jamming..guess I lead a charmed life.
why order and pay shipping pick up the unit of choice..get the unit at the store and the rebate form and save both ways
I've stacked 20+ sheets in the MP tray on the 8800 also. I think the 8800 and 5800 are basically the same printer in different formats. The 5500 had issues that I've never encountered on the 8800. MP tray jamming being one and paper melting being another.
Good question KH, as I'm following along here for my knowledge too.
Is it okay to assume that the Okidata 5800LDN is the happy medium printer between the 5500 and 8800? It's not too far from KH's range but considerably less than $2400 for the 8800n.
I take it that Okidata is the printer of choice for creating laser heat transfers vs. other manufacturers. If so, why?
Ms Blue...the 8800n IS NOT 2400 final price..see the oki web page above that I posted...i think the cost after rebate would be around 1600 or 1700 USD
I prefer the oki 5800 as it works best with my paper and also I really like it for the other laser printers and for oaver 9 months...trouble free..a jam or two that I caused..but otherwise great choice
Ms Blue...the 8800n IS NOT 2400 final price..see the oki web page above that I posted...i think the cost after rebate would be around 1600 or 1700 USD
I prefer the oki 5800 as it works best with my paper and also I really like it for the other laser printers and for oaver 9 months...trouble free..a jam or two that I caused..but otherwise great choice
Thank you Charles! This is helpful, as I recently asked about creating transfers myself vs. contracting it out in a different thread. I just viewed the Okidata rebates you were referring to until 2008 and saw the 8800n for $1607, down from $2399.
I'm taking that Okidata is just a tried and true printer for laser transfer creations? I'm also taking that Epson leads with being tried and true for inkjet transfer creations?
I need to find more samples of laser and inkjet transfers to understand more about wash fading, longevity of the prints and such.
AB
Last edited by AdriaticBlue; December 2nd, 2007 at 03:48 PM.
Reason: Repetitiveness :)
members have used both imageclip and duracotton very successfully on the c8800. I do have my preferences I do not know of another laser printer that I would trade my Oki for...for any reason.
I am slowly getting out of the inkjet use because I am tired of nozzle clogs, which I do not get with the laser, and because of the epson ruling on 3rd party cartridges for desktop printers...does not apply to the epson 4800 which is considered a wide format ruling and is exempt from the ruling. I may be borrowing trouble before it is necessary... This ruling will not effect the epson C120 etc that uses the epson pigment inks.
Good question KH, as I'm following along here for my knowledge too.
Is it okay to assume that the Okidata 5800LDN is the happy medium printer between the 5500 and 8800? It's not too far from KH's range but considerably less than $2400 for the 8800n.
I take it that Okidata is the printer of choice for creating laser heat transfers vs. other manufacturers. If so, why?
AB
Oki printer is cheaper with rebate than most brand. It is also the printer of choice by most transfer paper manufacturer. Another feature is the straight paper path which minimizes mechanical related jamming issue other than caused by polymer melting on the fuser due to fuser temp mismatched to the transfer paper.
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members have used both imageclip and duracotton very successfully on the c8800.
Charles, can you tell me more about duracotton? It says non-cutting.. does that mean it is self-weeding like imageclip? All three types say zero hand.. does that mean the image does not sit on top of the fabric, but rather bleeds into it so that you can't feel anything? Also, are the Oki printers oil or non oil? Thanks again!
Charles, can you tell me more about duracotton? It says non-cutting.. does that mean it is self-weeding like imageclip? All three types say zero hand.. does that mean the image does not sit on top of the fabric, but rather bleeds into it so that you can't feel anything? Also, are the Oki printers oil or non oil? Thanks again!
I haven't figured out why they advertise zero hand, zero cut. I love the product, but it is neither. The hand is light and the window is not as heavy as other papers. The hand softens even more with a wash or two and the polymer window becomes almost unnoticeable, but for a nice print it should be trimmed. The Oki printers most of us use are non-oil (C3400, C5500, C5800, C8800).
Oki vs. Oki, Okay? 
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