[HEAT PRESS] - 5 Tips: How to select which heat press to buy?
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This section of the forum is where Rodney, a die hard screen printing fan, journeys into the world of heat press and heat transfers. Coming from the perspective of a complete heat press newbie making t-shirts for the first time. Jump right in :)
[HEAT PRESS] - 5 Tips: How to select which heat press to buy?
Re: 5 Tips: How to select which heat press to buy?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Twinge
Usually when a circuit is going to blow, it will happen right away when a new device is added; e.g. turning on a vaccuum cleaner in a populated circuit my shut it down. If it's already been running a while and nothing new is added it probably won't suddenly blow a fuse or trip a breaker suddenly (though it is possible I imagine).
Once again, thanks for the term break down and especially the last paragraph. That answered my question. I will still be carefull, but I'm feeling more confident about having it on now.
Re: 5 Tips: How to select which heat press to buy?
"I just bought a 16x20 knight press for $300. OMG, that thing is GIGANTIC!!!"
I just bought a 16 x 24 press and it's even more gigantic. And a far cry from my old Insta 12 x 12 which I've used for 15 years and 150.000 shirts.... One thing smaller presses have for them: you can thread a small shirt onto a 12" wide platen, which is impossible on a 15" or larger. Very useful if you're pressing on the back of a dress shirt with lotsa buttons and pockets on the front, you don't have to open every button first...
i have been researching as well because i am interested in adding to my business. till now i have been doing strictly screenprinting but the time saving and flexability of using a heat press interest me. i need something to get started but understand that buy the best that you can afford. i have seen some geo knight presses on ebay for around $250 or so. any suggestions as to how i can get into a heat press without the cost?
Re: 5 Tips: How to select which heat press to buy?
I am looking to buy a heat press in Europe. And the companies i mail or ring want to know how much pressure i need to press the shirts. I havne't found anything sofar, but I would like to eventually start doing vinyl presses too...
Anyone know how much pressure ths needs? There are large price differences for different pressures (400kgs = 369 euro 800kgs=1200 euros)
Re: 5 Tips: How to select which heat press to buy?
Quote:
Originally Posted by shirt
i know you opted to buy a heat press but i'm weighing my options as of the moment...
Well to clarify, Rodney actually had a background in working with screen printed shirts (though not directly, IIRC?) well before he bought a press. He got a press to learn about the aspects of the t-shirt industry he wasn't already involved in =)
Re: 5 Tips: How to select which heat press to buy?
Quote:
Originally Posted by shirt
this is informative... i am planning to start a business and now i'm between choosing silk screen printing and heat press...
Shirt, why not do both? It's easy to get into heat press but's it's difficult to be good at screen printing, but it would be great if you can do both, and be good at it.
Re: 5 Tips: How to select which heat press to buy?
Quote:
Originally Posted by vctradingcubao
Shirt, why not do both? It's easy to get into heat press but's it's difficult to be good at screen printing, but it would be great if you can do both, and be good at it.
doing both is good... i know... but i also know that it would be very expensive to start with the 2... with buying the equips and all...
vctrading, how much capital did you need to start to operate? (just curious)
Re: 5 Tips: How to select which heat press to buy?
Hi! Newbie here, so be gentle.
I'm reading a lot, and I have to ask - why is a press larger than 9 x 12 necessary when shirts aren't any larger, and the image size is even smaller on the shirt?
Re: 5 Tips: How to select which heat press to buy?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ellaunderground
Hi! Newbie here, so be gentle.
I'm reading a lot, and I have to ask - why is a press larger than 9 x 12 necessary when shirts aren't any larger, and the image size is even smaller on the shirt?
Thank you.
These reference threads give good general reasons why you'd want a larger press:
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule (like a 16 x 20 press might be too heavy for some), but those threads help to explain why folks say bigger is generally better
Re: 5 Tips: How to select which heat press to buy? 
for the term break down and especially the last paragraph. That answered my question. I will still be carefull, but I'm feeling more confident about having it on now.
