[ginnocenti]

Hello, Im about to make my first purchase of dye sublimation and would like to know what experienced printers think about my choices.

Ricoh Aficio SG 3110DN 8.5x14
Hotronix Auto Opening 11x15 heat press

Main business will be small orders of tshirts with company logos and some personal designs, Tiles and some accesories like flippers and hand bags.
Probably will buy a mug press in the future.

Reason of why the hotronix auto open is because it has the pressure sensor and Im plannin of buying a DTG printer in a probably far future.

I have read that auto opening presses can give ghosting, do you think that the hotronix can give me trouble in my learnig curve or a teflon sheet can help? Or should I go with a manual opening hotronix or just open the press with my hand and bypass the auto function?

 

[Resu]

Go with the STX-20 16x20 to allow you some room to grow and you can gang certain items too. In regards to ghosting, I've never had any problems. You can always set the timer 5secs. longer and manually open the press at the end of the substrate recommended press time.

 

[pisquee]

To eliminate ghosting (for fabrics) use 3M Scotch Weld 75 spray. Only need a 'very light mist' to hold the paper to the fabric, so 1 can last a long time. The spray is fine with the heat, and doesn't hinder the sublimation transfer process.
Or, you can get sublimation paper that has an adhesive already on the printing side.

 

[ginnocenti]

Go with the STX-20 16x20 to allow you some room to grow and you can gang certain items too. In regards to ghosting, I've never had any problems. You can always set the timer 5secs. longer and manually open the press at the end of the substrate recommended press time.

Great suggestion but Im thinking of using the extra money to buy a caddie for the press. Is the caddie worth the extra $?