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xtina · July 11th, 2006

Can I just ask why everyone recommends a 15x15" size heat press, or around that size, when most printers do no larger than A4 (just over 8x11.5") - so why would you need bigger? Wouldn't a smaller one do? What's the extra benefit? Is it just in case I buy an A3 printer, and just in case I buy A3 paper, and just in case I do massive transfers? I just don't get it - and I need to, cos I need to buy a press now! Can anyone explain?

(feel free to direct me to a thread if you've already answered all this several times!)

Rodney · July 11th, 2006

Here's one past thread that talks about some of the benefits to the heat press size:
Whats the purpose of a 16x20 press??

One additional benefit that I recently read here that isn't mentioned in that thread is that a lot of pre-printed transfers (like from proworldinc.com) are larger than some of the smaller presses can handle.

jdr8271 · July 11th, 2006

The bigger the press, the better, becuase it will not hold you back in the future. Right now you only want to do 8.5 x 11 shirts, but what if you want to do a 15" imprint in the future?

MotoskinGraphix · July 11th, 2006

There are quite a few stock plastisol transfers that are sized 12x12. You wont be limited in the future because your press cant handle what your customers may need. Styles change all the time...one day folks may want small art and the next they may want oversized art.

Richard 5340 · August 25th, 2008

With a large press you can work small. With a small press you can not work large. Versatility.

mrdavid · August 25th, 2008

The way I see it the bigger press will make it nice to do over size. But I have all so used small press to do the same as bigger press. You can take small press and do large transfers you just need to press more is all.

martinwoods · August 25th, 2008

Wow started to answer and realized this was over 2 years ago.

mrdavid · August 25th, 2008

LOL I never checked

COEDS · August 25th, 2008

Thibgs are the same as size goes .You can do small things on a big press, but not the other way around. .... JB

mrdavid · August 25th, 2008

I press 20 inch by 14 in on A 15 by 15 so yes you can it was the China Dragon that is posted on the vinyl. And yes I have done 5 more of them with my Geo Knight that is 12 by 14 so please dont say you cant when you can Thanks. Here is 12 by 15 I just did and yes press two times looks just as good as if I had big press!

ecreations · August 25th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtina


	Can I just ask why everyone recommends a 15x15" size heat press, or around that size, when most printers do no larger than A4 (just over 8x11.5") - so why would you need bigger? Wouldn't a smaller one do? What's the extra benefit? Is it just in case I buy an A3 printer, and just in case I buy A3 paper, and just in case I do massive transfers? I just don't get it - and I need to, cos I need to buy a press now! Can anyone explain? (feel free to direct me to a thread if you've already answered all this several times!)

If you would invest on press at this time, I would try to put it on the biggest press that you can afford. This is the same with me when I first invest on press, I thought the same way and said to myself that 16x16 should be enough to what I will be doing, but just few months after and after getting my cutter, I then realize that for a little bit more, I should have taken the bigger one instead. Why? as you can see the designs on the shirts right now, are huge, some are even full front or full back shirt and with my line, I also do sublimation, which by putting more substrate on the press is the best way to go, imagine being able to do 30% more than your standard press. Like I said, get the biggest press you can afford, it will definitely pay you off later.

ino · August 26th, 2008

Please correct me if I,m wrong, but the way I see it is that the larger the press is, the more time it takes to heat up and more electric would be used.
If one is planning to do only small designs than the smaller press would be more suitable, a bigger press could be bought at a later time if larger designs are needed. Just my opinion.

spankthafunk · August 26th, 2008

ooo that's a good point. How much extra electric would a 16X20 take over a 15X15? anyone?

mrdavid · August 26th, 2008

Ok went to Hix web site and the 16x20 takes 14.5 amps.

The 15x15 takes 12.5 amps

now my Geo night that is 12x14 takes 10 amps.

But now you have to know the lower the amps longer it takes to get to temp.

The only thing I am saying I can do what any one does with there transfer press no mater the size.