Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Hi, I've read a whole lot of threads in these forums on pigment inks to print on T-Shirt transfer paper and see all kinds of opinions so have left me real confused. I understand from much reading that pigment ink is the best way to go for T-Shirts. I also have already tried different pigment inks but need to know what kind is best to use in a best bulk printer unit.
What I need help with is need some good opinions from those who are having good luck with bulk pigment ink printer units. By bulk printer units, I mean a printer unit that when a pigment ink color empties you just fill it up yourself with more of a pigment ink color, like fill a pigment color back up from a bottle or something.
So what I need good opinions on after much reading, is what bulk ink system that has few problems do you recommend for a printer? Also what bulk pigment ink at good prices do you recommend to use in it, that works well on T-Shirts? I really need help with some great opinions hopefully from those who are having good luck with some bulk printer units. Please let me know thank you very much for your great help.
Last edited by 1Jen; December 13th, 2008 at 12:07 AM.
By bulk printer units, I mean a printer unit that when a pigment ink color empties you just fill it up yourself with more of a pigment ink color, like fill a pigment color back up from a bottle or something.
Hi Jen,
There are systems called bulk systems, also called CIS (continuous ink system) that feed tubes with ink from bottles that sit beside the printer.
There are also re-fill carts, that when empty, you fill them back up yourself with ink from a bottle.
Which system do you actually mean, that you are interested in? Thanks.
PS: What printer do you have? There are some systems that are really suited well to certain printers.
Thanks a lot Kelly, I'm waiting to purchase another printer once I hear more about this part will decide what printer I should get. I've heard epsons might work well with some systems. Do others confer that CIS systems have few problems and are there any others? What are pigment inks for that that work real well for T-shirts with good prices? Please let me know thank you very much for your help.
Thanks a lot Kelly, I'm waiting to purchase another printer once I hear more about this part will decide what printer I should get. I've heard epsons might work well with some systems. Do others confer that CIS systems have few problems and are there any others? What are pigment inks for that that work real well for T-shirts with good prices? Please let me know thank you very much for your help.
You are going to get different views on this as many here use different systems. Most of the time it is the instillation that is the problem and then it could be lack of use and the dampers dry and causes clogging. I for one have stopped making recommendation. I had used a CIS from Coastal it worked for 2 years without one problem. Then it clogged and I could not get it fixed. Then I got a sample unit from one company and it took me 5 hours to finally get it to work. kept telling me my dampers (Carts) were empty.. not so.. This system is also sold by at least 3 there companies that have been recommended. So I am not a happy camper on that one. Now I will be at the ISS show in Jan. and hope to find a company at the show that I can see how they hook up. Till then it is Epson cartridges for my printers. (You can save by using coupons from Office depot which I get monthly and from ordering direct from Epsonstore.com Order 3 carts and get free overnight shipping. They are also cheaper then the office stores. Hope this helped. Lou
Yes all your real time experiences will help me know what to do. Please let me know if you find any good systems at that show. Thank you very much for your help too.
Last edited by 1Jen; December 13th, 2008 at 03:28 PM.
Thanks a lot Kelly, I'm waiting to purchase another printer once I hear more about this part will decide what printer I should get. I've heard epsons might work well with some systems. Do others confer that CIS systems have few problems and are there any others? What are pigment inks for that that work real well for T-shirts with good prices? Please let me know thank you very much for your help.
Hi Jen, I am going to go with refill carts because the general concensus is, they clog less when the printer isn't used as often. I don't print as often as the high volume users on the boards.
For them, CIS works great and saves them more money than the refill carts would, but with CIS, you have to keep the ink moving, or there may be trouble waiting for you.
I am going to slow down with printing, and starting introducing vinyl to my stuff, so the re-fill carts will suit me fine. Less clogging issues than the CIS with me letting it sit, and it will save me alot of money over OEM carts.
I am going to go with the system most recommended by alot of folks on the boards, users of the carts and inks.
I use the C120, and the system that is reported so many times to be favorable with that printer is the one from inkjetcarts.us. I have two friends that have used it, and one hated her Durabrite ink, she is Melissa/Angelic Endeavors. Her thread on it is called "durabrite you're fired" if you search it, you'll see her remarks.
Also my pal Ashamutt uses that system. She doesn't like any troubles and she doesn't have them with those carts. She told me to get the non-vacuum ones, I have to follow up on that to make sure I get the right thing.
I'm just going to follow those who have gone before me, those who I know and trust, but if you were to ask me, that is what I'd recommend since it is something I am willing to do myself.
Depending on what printer you want, I can steer you to the threads with user feedback on that printer. The 1400 printer has oodles of threads on different refill cart and CIS systems.
I've also seen folks go from OEM, to refill cart, then to CIS, then back to refill cart, siting mess and clogs as the reason they didn't stay, but that is a personal situation, as each printer and ink set up, also user tolerance, will be different.
I'd say look up systems on the forum, and see what printer works well with the system folks recommend. Some printer and systems are nightmares together, some work together seemlessly, like a charm. Good luck to you.....
If one runs a CIS and keeps it going, I hear little problems reported as far as clogs. But the CIS' seem to clog faster than the refill carts when the printer is not used regularly.
Thanks loads Kelly, that was really helpful. I'm not going to be able to use all the time so I would probably have clogs so CIS would probably be a bad idea for me. But what are refill carts? Never heard of them. Do you have a link to show me what they look like? Please let me know, thank you very much for your help.
Lou, the epson cartridges you are talking about, are those pigment? Please let me know, thank you.
Yes, that is all I use. If I was going to change I would suggest refillable carts as it would be less of a headache. I as well as others have not had the greatest experences with CIS system. Sure some have but not me. I will probably buy the refillable carts. Just don't know who I would use. I have issues with a few of the vendors named here so I am looking. Lou
I have two friends that have used it, and one hated her Durabrite ink, she is Melissa/Angelic Endeavors. Her thread on it is called "durabrite you're fired" if you search it, you'll see her remarks.
This may be the case of some people but when the most recommended and the ink that is regarded in the industry as the best ink to use for printing tees and has been used by thousands of users that have done hundred of thousands of shirts that says more then a few who have had their own issues with the product. When I receive emails or calls from people that have had problems with transfers and blame it on the ink 99% of the time it is really a issue with applying the transfer. When I make simple suggestions such as pre pressing and get get a response as "No I did not do that" then when they do the issue goes away. I have done my share of shirts and never, never, never had had an issue with durabrite inks or Pigment inks in general. Other factors are the general rule.. Time, Temperature and pressure. Or it could be applying too much ink. The problem with Durabite inks for a lot of us really is the cost. That is why a CIS system or refillable carts are the way to go. You probably save 75%. Lou
This may be the case of some people but when the most recommended and the ink that is regarded in the industry as the best ink to use for printing tees and has been used by thousands of users that have done hundred of thousands of shirts that says more then a few who have had their own issues with the product. When I receive emails or calls from people that have had problems with transfers and blame it on the ink 99% of the time it is really a issue with applying the transfer. When I make simple suggestions such as pre pressing and get get a response as "No I did not do that" then when they do the issue goes away. I have done my share of shirts and never, never, never had had an issue with durabrite inks or Pigment inks in general. Other factors are the general rule.. Time, Temperature and pressure. Or it could be applying too much ink. The problem with Durabite inks for a lot of us really is the cost. That is why a CIS system or refillable carts are the way to go. You probably save 75%. Lou
LOL, not sure where this went to, but, that wasn't what I was talking about.
Jen, if you don't understand what I meant either, just let me know.
LOL, not sure where this went to, but, that wasn't what I was talking about.
Jen, if you don't understand what I meant either, just let me know.
Have a nice day, all.
It was not about your comment it was about what someone else had issues with and their thread which you linked to and durabrite inks in general. You stated someone had issues with durabrite. I wanted to state that those that do have issues are few.
I wanted the reader to know this. If you noted I referred to that link only. Not about any thing else. Lou
Oh, I see. You are addressing "colorshifting" issues.
That's okay, I was referring Jen to that link so Jen could see Melissa's review on her inks from inkjetcart.us, and find Melissa's review on the supplier. No biggie, and I'm in that thread, and say that I use Durabrite, as I am one of the ones that doesn't have any trouble with colorshifting and Durabrite.
I didn't address the colorshifting with Jen, as she is *already* looking at 3rd party inks via refill carts or CIS/bulk system, and the chances of Jen using Durabrite are pretty much zip if Jen goes with 3rd party inks.
We don't even know if Jen's going to choose an Epson printer or not, and if Jen does go with Epson, she may choose the 1400, we don't know. LOL.
Thank you, Lou, and good job bringing that up because colorshifting *is* an issue for some Durabrite users, and another reason some folks leave OEM Durabrite carts and go to 3rd party inks.
It's worth mentioning in this thread, (not necessarily for Jen's benefit, as it looks unlikely she'll use it) but because this thread is called "Straight talk ink" and those who bought Epson's that use Durabrite might have liked that information *before* they purchased one. Like me!
I know I was *not informed* of the Durabrite colorshifting issue when the c88+ Epson was *recommended* to me. Only later I found out I was one of the lucky ones. I felt fortunate, but yet, also underinformed when I made my own purchasing decision.
A search for "colorshifting" will easily answer any Q's on that.
Thanks very much you both suggested refillable carts but still don't know what they are. Sounds like you are able to put best good priced pigment inks in them? I looked them up in a search but can't tell if you get refillable carts from just one or two companies for a printer if they need to be a certain kind or just what it means. Please let me know more about what those are sounds like I may need to go that route because won't be able to print all the time, thanks a lot for your help.
Last edited by 1Jen; December 14th, 2008 at 06:41 PM.
Straight ink talk 
Lou
Lou
