Welcome to the forum. I too am a newbie and have plenty to learn! I think there is some advantages to using plastisol transfers. Keeps initial investment down and quality up. Where you will be potentially dealing with reoccurring accounts (school logo/ team logo), you could order more transfers than you would require initially to keep your pre transfer cost low and increase your margins.
Newbie, getting ready to pull the trigger on these items
Hi,
I am new to the printing biz, but I am getting ready to set up shop.
I am looking at purchasing an OKI Pro 8432WT Toner Printer and a Hotronix Fusion Heat Press.
I have tons of contacts and work full time as an Athletic Director at a local school, I have access to several coaches and programs around the area and figured that it was time to stop out-sourcing and start profiting from my network.
I have always had a passion for t-shirt designs and have designed several over the years.
Should I start with the products mentioned above, or do you guys think I should move in a different direction and use a company like TransferExpress or an equivalent and not bother with the OKI printer?
You guys are the experts, and I am the sponge, shoot away!
many thanks
I am new to the printing biz, but I am getting ready to set up shop.
I am looking at purchasing an OKI Pro 8432WT Toner Printer and a Hotronix Fusion Heat Press.
I have tons of contacts and work full time as an Athletic Director at a local school, I have access to several coaches and programs around the area and figured that it was time to stop out-sourcing and start profiting from my network.
I have always had a passion for t-shirt designs and have designed several over the years.
Should I start with the products mentioned above, or do you guys think I should move in a different direction and use a company like TransferExpress or an equivalent and not bother with the OKI printer?
You guys are the experts, and I am the sponge, shoot away!
many thanks
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
I agree with GAC Graphics. I only use plastisol transfers. Most of the time from transfers express
just started trialing samples from versatrans
i was really leery as to plastisol transfers' place, as my trials from other vendors ended very poorly
but i was pleasantly surprised at the press and peel, and more surprised at my wash/dry trials for versatrans
so surprised that it has been bumped from 'no way, not ever', to 'we definitely should consider this'
i am not very many wash/dry cycles in, but so far versatrans has far exceeded my expectations
(pics below, i left the text instructions on, because i wanted to see how small details held-up)
you should get samples from versatrans, and whoever else and test them out for yourself
use new t-shirts, the same material/brand as you would use, and get at least a dozen wash/dry cycles on them
swing-away's are preferable for plastisol (more even pressure)
head over to the laser sub-section and look up that printer model and glean whatever info you can (good and bad)
i was really leery as to plastisol transfers' place, as my trials from other vendors ended very poorly
but i was pleasantly surprised at the press and peel, and more surprised at my wash/dry trials for versatrans
so surprised that it has been bumped from 'no way, not ever', to 'we definitely should consider this'
i am not very many wash/dry cycles in, but so far versatrans has far exceeded my expectations
(pics below, i left the text instructions on, because i wanted to see how small details held-up)
you should get samples from versatrans, and whoever else and test them out for yourself
use new t-shirts, the same material/brand as you would use, and get at least a dozen wash/dry cycles on them
swing-away's are preferable for plastisol (more even pressure)
head over to the laser sub-section and look up that printer model and glean whatever info you can (good and bad)
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First off let me tell you that I and others have had issues with the Oki pro8432wt printer, with outlines and spots. Where we have tried many different ways to resolve these issues, like changing drums, to changing registration part, to getting brand new printers, and still have same issues. I love the things you can do with this printer, but if you happen to be one of us unlucky people who are having a hard time with the Oki printer you might want to look into other methods of printing until Oki figures why their new printers are doing this and fix the problems. Would really wish a few people would say if they are having great success with this printer so as I will know whether to keep trying fixing it with Oki or to give up and ask for a refund.
Also with this type of printing you will not have a lot of stretch, so putting them on any stretchy materials will not work great because as the material starts stretching you may get cracking in the graphic. Tees are fine, along with many other surfaces but any type of real stretchy material won't work well, like spandex.
So if you are thinking of doing jersey's then I would look into another type of printing.
Sorry to be a downer on the Oki 8432 printer, but would hate for others to be caught up in the same situation for months.
Here is the link to the other post on the Oki 8432wt printer:
http://www.t-shirtforums.com/general-t-shirt-selling-discussion/t810145.html
What ever you choose to do I wish you good luck on your new business!
Also with this type of printing you will not have a lot of stretch, so putting them on any stretchy materials will not work great because as the material starts stretching you may get cracking in the graphic. Tees are fine, along with many other surfaces but any type of real stretchy material won't work well, like spandex.
So if you are thinking of doing jersey's then I would look into another type of printing.
Sorry to be a downer on the Oki 8432 printer, but would hate for others to be caught up in the same situation for months.
Here is the link to the other post on the Oki 8432wt printer:
http://www.t-shirtforums.com/general-t-shirt-selling-discussion/t810145.html
What ever you choose to do I wish you good luck on your new business!
Personally, I would recommend that you consider going with the OKI 920WT instead. It's (obviously) an older model ... and you can pick up a used one at a fraction of the price of a new 8432WT. OKI appears to have had issues with the 8432 while the 920 has been a workhorse for several years.Hi,
I am new to the printing biz, but I am getting ready to set up shop.
I am looking at purchasing an OKI Pro 8432WT Toner Printer and a Hotronix Fusion Heat Press.
I have tons of contacts and work full time as an Athletic Director at a local school, I have access to several coaches and programs around the area and figured that it was time to stop out-sourcing and start profiting from my network.
I have always had a passion for t-shirt designs and have designed several over the years.
Should I start with the products mentioned above, or do you guys think I should move in a different direction and use a company like TransferExpress or an equivalent and not bother with the OKI printer?
You guys are the experts, and I am the sponge, shoot away!
many thanks
I've been using the OKI920wt without incident for several years .... have had, literally, thousands of prints - primarily using Forever Laser Low Temp and some Neenah Image Clip. I've yet to have the first complaint about durability. Hand was improved dramatically when I went with the Forever TransferRip software.
I'd also suggest you look into the Geo Knight heat press line. Again, been using mine for years, have never had a minute's grief with it, and have several friends with the same experience.
Really appreciate all of the advice and comments.
I am going to look into the Geo Knight Heat Press, I already like what I have seen online.
Is there a particular size Platen that I should consider going with first? I figured that a swing away would be best for productivity, is this a fair assumption?
I joined the Facebook group OKI Users and after scanning the myriad of posts on there, I have decided that I am not willing to make that type of investment. 90% of the posts are regarding some type of error or complication, I don't want to get caught up in that mess, early in the game.
What other type of printer would you guys recommend? Should we go small and then use TransferExpress and those sources initially until we get a good feel for things?
thanks
I am going to look into the Geo Knight Heat Press, I already like what I have seen online.
Is there a particular size Platen that I should consider going with first? I figured that a swing away would be best for productivity, is this a fair assumption?
I joined the Facebook group OKI Users and after scanning the myriad of posts on there, I have decided that I am not willing to make that type of investment. 90% of the posts are regarding some type of error or complication, I don't want to get caught up in that mess, early in the game.
What other type of printer would you guys recommend? Should we go small and then use TransferExpress and those sources initially until we get a good feel for things?
thanks
i think that is a good plan
get a decent press
swing-away will also help should you ever decide on laser or sublimation
i think all round it is better (even pressure) if you have the room for one
pick up a cheap pigment printer (epson, some of the hp's with innobella inks iirc) and some jetpro sofstretch
just so you can make something of your own and get a feel for the process of initial thought to design to tee
and/or a cameo cutter for vinyls/contour cutting (another cheaper option to have access to a seed to harvest scenario)
get a decent press
swing-away will also help should you ever decide on laser or sublimation
i think all round it is better (even pressure) if you have the room for one
pick up a cheap pigment printer (epson, some of the hp's with innobella inks iirc) and some jetpro sofstretch
just so you can make something of your own and get a feel for the process of initial thought to design to tee
and/or a cameo cutter for vinyls/contour cutting (another cheaper option to have access to a seed to harvest scenario)
I think you're likely best with going with plastisol transfers to start off. There's little learning curve. Places like Transfer Express have ton's of designs you can customize and you can upload your own designs too. Since you're in the school network & you're going to be doing jerseys Stahl's has number transfers. Cost effective way to do individual numbers on jerseys.
And plan on working a lot. LOL T-shirts are a full time job and more in my experience!
And plan on working a lot. LOL T-shirts are a full time job and more in my experience!
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
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