[k_rose08]

Hello All!

I'm a total newbie, 1st time starting a thread and I've never pressed a shirt...please be kind LOL! Anyway, I'm launching a line of tees and I had originally intended on having my tees screen printed by one of my local printers (who are very good by the way)...BUT after finding out that plastisol transfers have "evolved" and are basically just as good...I've decided to purchase a heat press! That way I won't have to drive myself nuts trying to figure out how many shirts to have done and can just print on demand as our store will be online.

So...I'm looking to spend around $1,000.00 for a 16x20...not sure on which brand or which options, packages or accessories I'd need. Please help me decide! ANY advice or recommendations are GREATLY appreciated!

Thank you,
Kay

 

[sben763]

Look at the geo knight, hotronix, hix. Personally I'd look for the geo knight. Plastisol transfers have gotten better but I think that direct screen printing is the way to go depending on design. Before buying goto some of the transfer sites and make sure your artwork falls in the guide lines. You need to apply the transfer correctly is also key. Right pressure and temp.

 

[royster13]

I have both a Hix HT600D and a Geo Knight DK20...Both are solid machines.....I like the Geo Knight because of the wider handle and the way the opening works....The back of the platen raises above and away from the bottom deck...Also the DK20 seems to have better pressure edge to edge so it works better on jumbo transfers....It has an optional Auto Release and Double Deck which can be added later...

 

[k_rose08]

Look at the geo knight, hotronix, hix. Personally I'd look for the geo knight. Plastisol transfers have gotten better but I think that direct screen printing is the way to go depending on design. Before buying goto some of the transfer sites and make sure your artwork falls in the guide lines. You need to apply the transfer correctly is also key. Right pressure and temp.

Thanks so much! I'm looking at the different presses now!

Yeah, your totally right...our logo tee image size is 14.8''Wx17'L...and I see that some of the places that do custom transfers are unable to do this size...I just cropped the excess off in photoshop so that I could get the image size down...we'll see lol!

Also, how strong do you have to be to use a manual press? I eventually want an auto press but can't afford it right now, and is there a special table or something comes with the press or could it just be put on a sturdy desk...any other accessories that you'd recommend?

Again, thank you so much for your help!

 

[k_rose08]

I have both a Hix HT600D and a Geo Knight DK20...Both are solid machines.....I like the Geo Knight because of the wider handle and the way the opening works....The back of the platen raises above and away from the bottom deck...Also the DK20 seems to have better pressure edge to edge so it works better on jumbo transfers....It has an optional Auto Release and Double Deck which can be added later...

Thanks Royce! I'm looking at the Geo Knight DK20 right now, I love the options that can be added on later!

 

[sben763]

If you learn to use a push stroke you don't have to be strong. my 10 years old daughter can print white through a 230 with no reducer. I do have her step up on a 8" block otherwise she can't get a good print. It's all about leverage.

 

[k_rose08]

If you learn to use a push stroke you don't have to be strong. my 10 years old daughter can print white through a 230 with no reducer. I do have her step up on a 8" block otherwise she can't get a good print. It's all about leverage.

LOL...I'm so sorry, I should've clarified better. I meant a manual heat press. I'd like an auto swing away but can't afford it right now...