Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
Go with Okidata color printer. It is the brand that has good track record for heat transfers. Okidata has straight paper path from multi purpose tray input to straight tray output. The advantage is less mechanical jamming, one pass printing and faster print speed. Do a forum search for Okidata color printer and you will find different models that are being used. Then google for best price using keywords Okidata color laser printer under $500.00. The price will vary from suggested list price. Vendors like Staples, Office Depot or Office Max etc. will have discount price and rebate offers.
Here is a vendor that sells a good list of Okidata color laser printers new and refurbished: Okidata Color Laser Printers
Okidata 6050 is the latest one that has been reported by a member that is very good for heat transfer. It is under $500.00.
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Luis MAD Scientist JR. AKA MS2 Digital Artist. My canvas is t-shirt and my paintbrush is heat press.
Last edited by Lnfortun; June 26th, 2009 at 11:02 PM.
Thank you very much for the input. I've never heard of Okidata printers before, but from the small amount of research I have done they seem to have a lot of great reviews.
I'm curious, is there any reason to hold onto my cheap inkjet all-in one epson printer? If I buy the Okidata 6050 for example, along with transfer paper specificly for laser printers...is there any need to have the inkjet?
I know this may sound like a dumb question, however I have discovered that the inkjet transfer paper carries over to the t-shirt, so my only way to avoid this is apparently a "black and white negative on laser printer"...and then transfer the ink to the laser, and THEN transfer this to the shirt....seems like way too much work.
Thank you very much for the input. I've never heard of Okidata printers before, but from the small amount of research I have done they seem to have a lot of great reviews.
I'm curious, is there any reason to hold onto my cheap inkjet all-in one epson printer? If I buy the Okidata 6050 for example, along with transfer paper specificly for laser printers...is there any need to have the inkjet?
I know this may sound like a dumb question, however I have discovered that the inkjet transfer paper carries over to the t-shirt, so my only way to avoid this is apparently a "black and white negative on laser printer"...and then transfer the ink to the laser, and THEN transfer this to the shirt....seems like way too much work.
Here is what I can tell you about the products that I use. Both transfer papers are made by the same company. The maker of Jetpro SofStretch or JPSS which is a forum favorite. The products I use are Imageclip. One version is for laser printer and the other one is for inkjet printer. Both transfers are two step self weeding. Self weeding means the unwanted polymer is removed (weeded out) before it is pressed on the shirt which gives the look and feel of screen print. However, the inkjet version requires a laser printer to make a mask that will remove the unwanted polymer around the image. Imageclip for inkjet has advantage over laser version because the laser version has limitations.
So to answer your question I would say yes if you are going to use inkjet transfer specifically Imageclip for inkjet or opaque for inkjet or other brands of inkjet transfer papers. Be aware that inkjet printer is subject to clogging. Sometimes it will bite you in the middle of production which will cost time and money.
I also have an inexpensive all-in-one inkjet printer that use for inkjet transfers like JPSS, Imageclip for inkjet and opaque transfers.
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Luis MAD Scientist JR. AKA MS2 Digital Artist. My canvas is t-shirt and my paintbrush is heat press.
Hi I'm new to this forum and want to ask Vinny about the brother HL-4070cdw since he mentioned it here or anybody from this forum. What brand of transfer paper works best for brother HL-4070cdw? What problems have you encountered using transfer papers if any?
Best Color Laser Printer for your $? 
MAD Scientist JR. AKA MS2
