Check your local craigslist for a good used machine.
Heat Press Recomendations?
I am in the process of purchasing a DTG machine and most of my budget is going there. Can anyone recommend a brand that is a good "starter" heat press? Less than $500. I've seen a couple on Ebay but have seen negative postings about those brands. Used is fine too..thanks!
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
Thanks- I tried but slim pickings right now. Looking for a backup plan.
I hate to say it but if your buying a DTG printer you really need to buy a good heat press not a cheap POS, find a way to buy a Hix, Hotronics, or a Geo Knight press, yeah it's gonna cost you another $1000-$1500 but you'll be glad you did in the end.I am in the process of purchasing a DTG machine and most of my budget is going there. Can anyone recommend a brand that is a good "starter" heat press? Less than $500. I've seen a couple on Ebay but have seen negative postings about those brands. Used is fine too..thanks!
Hope this helps.
Yes, this seems to be the general opinion on these forums. People have bought cheap and had it work out for them, but it seems that the majority always ends up moving to the Hix/Hotronics/Knight presses in the end. I have seen it over and over again - go as big as you can, and get a Hix/Hotronics/Knight with no regrets. At least, that is what I have heard. I plan on picking one up, just as soon as my budget allows for it.I hate to say it but if your buying a DTG printer you really need to buy a good heat press not a cheap POS, find a way to buy a Hix, Hotronics, or a Geo Knight press, yeah it's gonna cost you another $1000-$1500 but you'll be glad you did in the end.
Hope this helps.
JYes, this seems to be the general opinion on these forums. People have bought cheap and had it work out for them, but it seems that the majority always ends up moving to the Hix/Hotronics/Knight presses in the end. I have seen it over and over again - go as big as you can, and get a Hix/Hotronics/Knight with no regrets. At least, that is what I have heard. I plan on picking one up, just as soon as my budget allows for it.
I'm probably more a advocate of a "good press" in this case because the OP stated that he was going to use in with a DTG printer, DTG prints require precession heat, pressure, ans duration to get a lasting print that won't washout or fade, while a lower level press would and does work fine with transfers/heat applied vinyl curing ink is another story, there are enough problems to over-come in the DTG field, a so so heat press will only add to the frustration.
Hope this helps.
I agree with Jon, we have a DK20 w/auto pop up and its the best investment we made.
Dark Shirt-
Pressed at least 4 times (one single shirt one sided)
8 times (2 sided shirt)
with DTG you are gonna use you heat press and you are going to happy you upgraded because you need a workhorse.. something that doesn't lose heat and doesn't break down. we can count on our heat press to stay at a consistent heat for over 12 hours a day.
If you lose heat .. your prints will wash out and you would have wasted a shirt.
Don't buy cheap ..
Dark Shirt-
Pressed at least 4 times (one single shirt one sided)
8 times (2 sided shirt)
with DTG you are gonna use you heat press and you are going to happy you upgraded because you need a workhorse.. something that doesn't lose heat and doesn't break down. we can count on our heat press to stay at a consistent heat for over 12 hours a day.
If you lose heat .. your prints will wash out and you would have wasted a shirt.
Don't buy cheap ..
Hmm, interesting point. I did not realize the difference was so wide between DTG and vinyl/heat transfer applications (as far as a heat press is concerned). Thanks for the heads-up.
yes.. true there are more presses when it comes to DTG but the heating element is the same you need a heat press that will maintain the heat throughout a work day.
If a press drops heat or gets too hot you will have problem..same goes for transfers and vinyl.
If a press drops heat or gets too hot you will have problem..same goes for transfers and vinyl.
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
T-Shirt Forums
A forum community dedicated to T-shirt merchants, professionals and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about graphics, commerce, dyes, prints, collections, guides, displays, styles, scales, equipment, accessories, reviews, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Recommended Communities
