Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Hello all I have been reading the forum for over a year now!!! I have finally decided to dive in!! I am so confused on which printer I need to purchase and who has the best cis system!!! Trust me I have looked over other threads but I am lost!!!! Please help a newbie out or send me the correct thread!!!!
Re: Please help with buying a printer and cis system
Hi Sunshine...
In addition to Mike's help, I'd like to add for you one way to help narrow the field of choices is to ask yourself what size designs do you plan to print?
If you only plan to print 8.5x11", then you don't need a wide format printer, and that will help narrow your selections. The reverse is true as well. If you need wide format, a few printer options are eliminated.
Are you looking at only CIS's, or are you also considering refill cart systems? For those who don't print daily, or print lower volumes, they sometimes choose the re-fill carts as opposed to the CIS systems. It is felt the re-fill carts have less clogging issues than CIS, CIS tend to clog if not printed with everyday. I don't have one, but just like you, I've been reading on these for a long time, deciding the same thing. You've probably read all about the diff with re-fill carts and CIS.
I think once you decide what size prints you want to produce, you can pick a printer from there. The C120 is 8.5x11 and the re-furbs are $31.20 with free shipping on epson.com. The 1400 is a wide format printer, up to 13x19, prints onto dvd/cd's and the refurbs are $143.20 with free shipping on epson.com. Here's a link: Clearance Epson Ink Jet Printers - Epson Clearance Center - Epson America, Inc.
Once you pick the printer, you can research the CIS (or re-fill carts) that others here use, and what they are very happy with. Different systems work well with the different printers. Folks here are happy to share what they use and like. You can even choose the printer and search your printer model and cis. Like "c120 bulk ink" or "c120 CIS". There are some combinations that don't seem to work out well. Did you see the threads where folks seemed to always have issues with 1280's and the Magic Mix ink? Just from the amount of times folks complained, I'd stay away from that combination.
I have ordered the refurbs and haven't had any issues with them at all, but the printers do go on sale at retail store like Circuit City, Best Buy, Target (had the scanner/printer last week for $29).
Note: if you want an all-in-one printer, make sure there is a re-fill cart or bulk system on the market before you buy it. I did that already, bought a cx8400 only to find out no bulk system was available. Back it went, and I got the c88+. Best wishes to you.
__________________ Please ask Q's in the threads as I may not see your PM. A many wonderful folk will be willing to help you. Apologies to those not answered, as I sign on sporadically these days. Thx 4 undrstnding. Have a great day.
Re: Please help with buying a printer and cis system
Charles, is there a possibility of issues with compatibility when buying the ink and system seperately? Could you explain that to me again? Thanks so much. (Not sure if I am remembering that right, it was a while ago. I've kept that in my head, but can't remember the specifics on it.)
Thanks a million!
__________________ Please ask Q's in the threads as I may not see your PM. A many wonderful folk will be willing to help you. Apologies to those not answered, as I sign on sporadically these days. Thx 4 undrstnding. Have a great day.
Re: Please help with buying a printer and cis system
Kelly...not so much a compatibility problem...although that is certainly possible. but if there any issue with printing or setting up and you have purchased from separate companies. there seems to be finger pointing with neither company willing to get to the bottom...but if all from the same company, you only have one place to call and they are more familiar with both ink and systems...more likely to get up and running quicker and easier along with better tech support....or so it seemed to me
Re: Please help with buying a printer and cis system
Thanks so much, Charles. That is an excellent point, and I can definitely see the advantage of having that one person committing to helping you, as it seems installation is the hardest part when dealing with these systems. Thanks again.
__________________ Please ask Q's in the threads as I may not see your PM. A many wonderful folk will be willing to help you. Apologies to those not answered, as I sign on sporadically these days. Thx 4 undrstnding. Have a great day.
That is not dye ink. Durabrite is pigment inks. which is what you should use. Lou
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Re: Please help with buying a printer and cis system
Quote:
Originally Posted by tshirtsupplies
Hello SunShine,
Don't fret too much...we welcome all questions.
As for a CIS system, what are your intents on using it? This will help direct the best possible solution.
Unfortunately, as many have experienced, most CIS systems do not use OEM inks; therefore, it is difficult to find the perfect solution.
Although OEM inks seem to work best on a testing basis, there are a few CIS ink suppliers that work.
Let us all know what you are trying accomplish and maybe we can help direct to the best solution.
Regards,
Mike
Not true. I used a cis system that I got from Coastal for over 2 years with a c88. Coastal stopped selling as printers changed to rapidly. Now I use a CIS systrem with my c120 and about to add a cis to my c88+ that I got from Inkrepublic.. Lou
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Re: Please help with buying a printer and cis system
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haystees
Gotya, thanks
So, the Durabrite is Pigment? I have a 1280 also , is that a Dye ink standard?
The old 1280 are dye printers.
__________________ There is a center to everything.. I found mine at.. www.heatpressessentials.com Tools to get the job done! www.tbiz101.com (New)Heat Transfer Education
Re: Please help with buying a printer and cis system
Quote:
Originally Posted by charles95405
the 1280 comes with pigment inks
Charles.. I don't think that is correct. The old 1280 had single cartridge dye inks. I guess I need to check it out.
__________________ There is a center to everything.. I found mine at.. www.heatpressessentials.com Tools to get the job done! www.tbiz101.com (New)Heat Transfer Education
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Please help with buying a printer and cis system 
Best wishes to you. 
