[80EastTrendz]

Hi Everyone,
I was hope to get at least a little insight on what may be a good heat press for me! I am starting an at home/online business and will be dealing with different apparel (shirts, shorts, hoodies) as well as different bags, probably towels. I will be applying rhinestone transfers as well as some regular heat transfers. I don't have a huge space so thinking something along 15x15 or there about. Other factor obviously is the funds so looking for the least expensive machine that I can get that will still produce quality work and not fall apart in a year...any ideas?
Melissa

 

[freshlysqueezed]

Well I would go with a 16x20 that way you can do 11x17 paper! you might need it along the line!

Uhm this should do nice brand to while staying cheaper... Digital 16 D X 20 W Clamshell Heat Press (Free Shipping) [HP4850] - $389.99 : Sunie.com, Leading Provider of Signs Equipment. also if you dont want this big this site also has some 15x15s

 

[HippieGuy]

I have been reading on many threads here that investing less than $700 on a heat press which will get a lot of use, is a big mistake.

Just my opinion, if you could swing at least $7-800, you could get a 15x15 Maxx by Stahls..lifetime gurantee and well known maker

 

[freshlysqueezed]

If you want but If you need to upgrade to a bigger press like I know have to you might regret it
:0

 

[Twanabee]

I have the 16x20 but have not had to use the full size. Most designs will be no wider than 11". (maybe 12") Just be sure you purchase a known name like George Knight or Stahl's.

 

[djohana]

When I started out I didnt have enough money so i bought a hobby heat press for about $300.00 and I used it a lot. never had a problem besides just replacing the temperature gauge but it was cheap to replace. I used it for 2 years before upgrading to a commercial one...

The brand are Geo Knight, really good brand. But if you can afford $800.00 then go with that....

 

[freshlysqueezed]

I bought a 12x12 with 25 low quality shirts and 25 low quality transfers I thought it was a great buy! for 229! and free shipp... but its to small! I should have gotten 15x15! however The shirts were great for testing now I have to upgrade at some point....

 

[IYFGraphics]

I have to side with the 16x20 crowd, a name brand press like Stahls, Geo Knight, Hix will provide years of trouble free service, but if you must go the low budget route the best bang for you buck is probably Pro World's press here.....

Iron-On Transfers, Heat Press Machines, T-Shirt Printing Supplies - Pro World

Hope this helps.

 

[80EastTrendz]

Has anyone ever purchased a used machine? I ask because I have been searching and have found some used named brand machines such as Mighty and Hotronix on ebay used but in what they consider excellent and or perfect working condition at a fraction of the cost. If I could get a 15x15 or 16x20 name brand for the cost of a cheap china press do you think it would be worth a try...and thank you so much!

 

[Twanabee]

It would be best if you can see and touch the press. If not see if you can get in writing a money back guarantee. I know that's hard but you have to protect yourself with used equipment.

 

[HippieGuy]

Has anyone ever purchased a used machine? I ask because I have been searching and have found some used named brand machines such as Mighty and Hotronix on ebay used but in what they consider excellent and or perfect working condition at a fraction of the cost. If I could get a 15x15 or 16x20 name brand for the cost of a cheap china press do you think it would be worth a try...and thank you so much!

I have been doing much R&R (research-reading) on heat presses, since I am close to buying new. I looked @ ebay, though would NEVER buy off ebay. The Hotronix presses there, though less in price, wind up costing more than buying direct from proWorld or Coastal. You need to add in the shipping cost which could be more than a $100. Buy new, shipping is FREE...plus you have the waranties etc.
Stay away from ebay. IMO, just folks passing along used junk in most cases.

 

[reximages]

I just bought the auto Hotronics hat press this past week and thoroughly love it!! The place I bought it at also had the auto Hotronics 16 x 20 heat press. My next target purchase is the 16 x 20 auto Hotronics. Both of these presses have different platens for different projects which is so awesome. I got two sizes of platens for the hat press and they are great! I want to buy one more of the five sizes of platens for that. I may even get the other two (five sizes in total). Hippie Guy, if you can squeeze out the bucks, get the auto Hotronics 16 x 20. I bet you would be REAL GLAD like I was with the auto hat press.

 

[80EastTrendz]

What would be the smallest size press I should even consider in order to do woman's and girls tanks, tees and girls shorts and probably some bags? I have found a few machines that I could make within my budget but not sure if they will be ok in size. Geo Knight 12x14 swing jet press $460, hix hobby lite swing $325, mightly 11x15 $495 and a maxx 11x15 for $595. The $699 tag on the mighty 15x15 is pretty steep for me right now since I still need to get a cutter, etc. If I am missing any others in that range that I should consider please let me know. I also saw a very inexpensive one that IFYGraphics provided a link for....don't know anything about that brand either but love the price!

 

[reximages]

I have a friend who bought a China made brand for about $299 and the thing wouldn't heat up after about 50 or so shirts. What a headache you do not have time for. Just get one of the name brands you mentioned and I believe you would be just fine. 15 x 15 is what I would recommend if you cannot afford a 16 x 20. You will find out as you do jobs that you wish you had a 16 x 20! I am in this business for a living paying mortgage and all. You need good dependable equipment to keep moving forward with a profit.

 

[freshlysqueezed]

I say go for the sunie 16x20! 389? bucks! with free shipping!
I belive it has A 2 year warranty on everything!

Digital 16 D X 20 W Clamshell Heat Press (Free Shipping) [HP4850] - $389.99 : Sunie.com, Leading Provider of Signs Equipment.


Woah! 16x24 for the same price with free shipping but only a one year warranty still go with one of these! two years it will pay for itself....

16D x 24W Heat Press Digital Screen Printing (Free Shipping) [HP3802L] - $389.99 : Sunie.com, Leading Provider of Signs Equipment.

 

[freshlysqueezed]

Yes the one from sunie.com is actually a seiki press try searching on the forum for them.... some people really like them actually you could get the 15x15 with a 3 year warranty for 249.99.
Digital 15x15 Clamshell Flat Heat Press (Free Shipping) [HP4801] - $249.99 : Sunie.com, Leading Provider of Signs Equipment.

also this transpro proworld sells is the same

Transpro 15X15 - Pro World

I found that out with a simple search on the forums

so proworlds is 50 bucks more... for the same press just blue lol...

I still belive you should go with the bigger one but just go with this seki press you could buy 3 of them lasting 9 years (presuming they last 3 years each) for the price of one 15x15 hix stahls or geo

 

[IYFGraphics]

Transpro 15X15 - Pro World

I found that out with a simple search on the forums

so proworlds is 50 bucks more... for the same press just blue lol...

The Pro World press is a SuniE but with replaced electronics (most common failure item on the SuniE press) which accounts for the price difference.

Hope this helps.

 

[freshlysqueezed]

Thanks I would have never known that

 

[IYFGraphics]

Thanks I would have never known that

Yeah...I just know because I've had it told to me quite a few times...LOL!

 

[80EastTrendz]

that is really good to know...thanks for that! Is that really a good option for a starting press...It's one thing to have to upgrade in a couple years but I don't want to have to worry about it in 12 months from now.

I actually just saw that the Proworld version is really the same price as the 15x15 seiki $299 and you say the proworld's version has made some changes to correct the problems with the Seiki?