T-Shirt Forums - View Single Post - Is it safe to buy a heat press that was a demo unit?

BigBear · September 8th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkygator2


	Thank you. I will check them out. Is there a press than can do both infant clothing (onesis) and perhaps tote bags and/or regular tshirt size?

There is one: The Knight DC16. It is a 14x16 swing-away production press. Upper and lower platens are elevated with a relatively tall back support unit. This places the bottom of the lower platen 9” higher than the base of the press.

The unusual design of the press was created to accommodate quick change of accessories (notably a cap attachment) and/or smaller size lower platens. Changeable lower platens include 12x14, 10x12, 6x8 and 3x5.

The smaller platens allow garments and totes to be easily pulled onto them, while the standard 14x16 table accommodates fairly large transfers for T-shirts. Some folks have difficulty wrapping their heads around the concept, but it’s easy. The size of the heater block is irrelevant, only what it touches (the rest of the item falls down and away from the heat).

This press would provide maximum utility for the specific items you mentioned. The only two potential drawbacks might be budget and easy mobility. The press and extra table(s) would cost considerably more than any label press and, at 130+ lbs., the press is not the easiest in the world to move around.

Because the press is very tall, it is best to be on a support table no more than 30” tall.

Another thought is to get a regular sized standard (15x15 and up) heat press and then insert blank, cut-up (to the needed size) mouse pads inside small garments and totes. In this case, of course, you are elevating the item so that again, the heat is only touching a desired area.

In our old retail days I actually did a 1200 piece tote bag order this way. After the order was done I decided that I was being penny smart and dollar stupid (with my time) and bought a smaller, more efficient press.

As JB suggested, you could also use a cap press because garments and totes can be pulled onto them. We have numerous mall kiosk and cart operators using a cap press (when they don’t offer shirts) to make caps and to put heat applied patches (but they can’t be bigger than 3.5”) on other garments, like jeans. A cap press would be somewhat less than the STX6 and DK8 that I mentioned and a bit more than the MP4.

If you went that route, I would suggest the Geo Knight DK7 which comes with a standard 4x7 lower platen or the Mighty Press Cap and purchase a 4x8 lower platen to go with it (the standard platen is 3.5x6). Total price for either option is about the same.

Let me know how I may help you further.