Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Well I recently brought a heat press and vinyl cutter combo off ebay for a really great price. I sure hope I didn't make a bad decision. My shipment is on the way in da mail.
I have not purchased from ebay. I can tell you this, tough:
I have seen many, many posts on this board from people asking for help because their transfers are not applying properly. In almost every case, the problem has been uneven heating of the press platen. And, in almost every case, it has been a press purchased from ebay.
Since you are on a limited budget, look for a used Hix, Geo Knight, or other name brand press. You will be much better off.
Seems the best import presses come from sunni they have a office in Reno- Sparks area in Nevada, at least if you look at those presses you know you have someone to call.
I advise you to stay awaway from cheap heat press'. Please learn from my mistake. I suggest you buy A hix ,hotronix,or phoenix phire. These are all good press' and will give you good customer support after the sale too. ... JB
I agree you can get used name brand press' on ebay, but my advice is not to buy the new bargin press'. I think the name brand press' on ebay is a good low cost idea for quality equipment. I encourage all to read description and shipping cost before bidding.I have seen sellers try to make some extra cash on the shipping rates. ..... JB
I just received an Illumapress tonight that I ordered off EBay. It actually looked used when I got it (dent in the side, timer won't turn on and burn marks on the top plate). My heat transfers didn't turn out great, hard to know if it's the press or the newbie. It clicks really loud on and off too. Is that normal? I have an email to the seller since the timer doesn't work...
Hi. We all have our own experiences of heat presses, both good and bad.
I own two Chinese swing away heat presses, one of which is a copy of a George Knight machine. They are both well built and very reliable. The attention to detail is perhaps not as good as machines made in the west, but they do the job well.
I also own an old European made cap press, that I believe Noah might have possibly took on the ark with him. It's still working after all these years.
I just received an Illumapress tonight that I ordered off EBay. It actually looked used when I got it (dent in the side, timer won't turn on and burn marks on the top plate). My heat transfers didn't turn out great, hard to know if it's the press or the newbie. It clicks really loud on and off too. Is that normal? I have an email to the seller since the timer doesn't work...
OH OH! Those illuma presses have a bad name out there. Just to mention i own a sunie heat press with a couple hundred tshirts made so far and still works like a champ. HOW dare you guys call it a cheapy, i would call it a PRO by now! LOL
I imported a swing away press direct from the manufacturer in China........no regrets as it is a first class piece of kit my main advice would be to do your homework on the press and company that you are dealing with.
I had a "cheap chinese press" I bought off ebay for well over a yr, it worked great until one day it pooped itself and of course I was in the middle of a big job. So I went to my local distributor and they had a Mighty Press in stock, so I purchased it and I can tell you there's no comparison between the two, I am so pleased with my Mighty Press.
Avoid auction presses? 
It clicks really loud on and off too. Is that normal? I have an email to the seller since the timer doesn't work...
