Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Starting first mini-business selling my art on items.
Heat Press - I've been looking to get the Hix SwingMan 15: 15"x15" - Economy Heat Press for $635 from bestblanks.com
the question here is:
a. Do you guys recommend this press? b. It's 15" but the transfers on bestblanks.com are 8.5x11 and 11x17 so what would be the benefit to having a heatpress that is 15"?
Even if they made 15" transfers I wouldnt know where to get a 15" printer!
Would it be more beneficial to go with a 9x12"?
c. Is it typical or realistic for someone to splice two transfers together to make one larger image? Or is that just too tedious?
Transfers - What is the cheapest/best quality STORE to buy from?
Thanks to you who take the time to help out another newb.
Last edited by AdamnSmith; December 27th, 2007 at 12:06 PM.
Starting first mini-business selling my art on items.
Heat Press - I've been looking to get the Hix SwingMan 15: 15"x15" - Economy Heat Press for $635 from bestblanks.com
the question here is:
a. Do you guys recommend this press? b. It's 15" but the transfers on bestblanks.com are 8.5x11 and 11x17 so what would be the benefit to having a heatpress that is 15"? Even if they made 15" transfers I wouldnt know where to get a 15" printer! Would it be more beneficial to go with a 9x12"? c. Is it typical or realistic for someone to splice two transfers together to make one larger image? Or is that just too tedious?
Transfers - What is the cheapest/best quality STORE to buy from?
Thanks to you who take the time to help out another newb.
Welcome to the forums Doug!!
It sounds like you are talking about blank transfers that you would print on.
One problem with the 15" x 15" heat press is that you would not be able to run the 11"x17" transfers if you were able to print them. Another issue would be if you ever decide to move on to larger transfers (plastisol designs for example) on hoodies or jackets where you might need the 16" x 20" heat press. Also, if you ever get into applying vinyl transfers, you can run across designs that may be longer than 15".
Otherwise, the 15" x 15" will probably be sufficient for 90% of your jobs. I have botha 15" x 15" and a 16" x 20" press and rarely run into a job I can't do on either press.
As far as splicing transfers together, it is possible but usually you want to find a natural break in the design which you can use for the splice.
I would not recommend a 9" x 12" unless you are certain that you will not be doing anything more than an 8.5" x 11" design. They are great for smaller designs (youth, toddler, infants, etc.) but not as a first purchase. Now, other members have started out with a smaller press size such as this and made it work, but if you are able to swing the extra $$$, then I would start with at least the 15" x 15".
Hope that helps...
__________________ Big Daddy Screenprinting -Affordable contract Heat Press Services & Low Volume Screen Printing up to 4 spot colors with no setup or screen fees
How would I print on 15x15? Do printers go that large? Do transfers come that large?
The HP Deskjet 9800 inkjet printer is a wide format printer. It will take an 11 X 17 transfer paper. And yes, transfer paper is available in that size. I use the soft paper from Dharmatrading.com but, most of the paper manufacturers produce both 8 1/2X11 and 11X17.
Many people use Epson printers (specifically for the ink) but, I'm not familiar with those. I would think they also produce a wide format printer.
You should base the heat press size on what size of design you want to press. The 15 x 15 would allow you to press that size area at one time. You can print portions of your design seperate and group them together to get a 15 x 15 design.
Just because the printer does not make a 15 x15 transfer doesnt mean you cant press a 15 x 15 design. does this make sense ? it really all comes down to how big of a design you want on your garment as most times you will be trimming the paper anyways so you dont see the transfer material that doesnt have print on it.
I agree with the above poster that the 9 x 12 is great for doing childrens garments but not so great for adult tees as it is a small area.
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A 15x15 press is a good choice for size and portability. I like the clam type because it is one less step in pressing, The added step of swinging the press to the side taes a small amount of time on each press. The time adds up on a large run. I have 2 15x15 clam type and 1 16x20 swinger. i started with the swinger, but I think the clam is the way to go. I do plastisol transfers most and 15 x15 is perfect for this process. I use the 16x29 for sublimation on tiles. ...... Jb
How would I print on 15x15? Do printers go that large? Do transfers come that large?
Some of the larger format Epsons (R1400 & R1800 as examples) will print up to 13" x 19" I believe.
Yes...there are transfers that come in 15" x 15"...and even larger. But, most of them will be less than 15" x 15".
__________________ Big Daddy Screenprinting -Affordable contract Heat Press Services & Low Volume Screen Printing up to 4 spot colors with no setup or screen fees
New, been researching, have questions 
