How much are you looking to spend on a press?
What Heat Press Would Be Good To Purchase For A Beginner Who Wants To Learn Heat Pressing On His Own
I am a newcomer to the Heat Pressing Field, with no experience using a Heat Press and once I get started, it will be my first time using a Heat Press. So, I was wondering, what retailers in Southern California (Los Angeles/Orange/Inland Empire) offer a good selection of Heat Presses. Because I have been to one place in my local town, but the owners spoke poor English, and I was turned off by the Sublimation samples on a fabric. So I am planning to visit the Warehouse facilities of Heat Press Nation and Heat Press Inc, which are two e-commerce retailers. I prefer to go visit upfront, because I am totally new to this area, and I would like to see press equipment upfront, before I actually make any purchases.
So right now, I am planning to visit two E-Commerce retailer's facilities. But, I want to know what other retailers, E-Commerce, or otherwise are really good in Southern California. (Btw, I have no interests in the cheaply made stuff that is Chinese Made or anything). I want to look for a good quality Heat Press (which can Automatically open versus Manually open, to make sure I avoid body fatigue), and possibly, a good quality Hat/Cap Press as well. (That is if I have time and money to look at it).
So right now, I am planning to visit two E-Commerce retailer's facilities. But, I want to know what other retailers, E-Commerce, or otherwise are really good in Southern California. (Btw, I have no interests in the cheaply made stuff that is Chinese Made or anything). I want to look for a good quality Heat Press (which can Automatically open versus Manually open, to make sure I avoid body fatigue), and possibly, a good quality Hat/Cap Press as well. (That is if I have time and money to look at it).
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Low to High Hundreds. Just as long as there is good quality. That's all that matters.
A good quality heat press that does what you're wanting will cost thousands, not hundreds. Stahls has some nice heat presses, some of which are even auto open, but be prepared to spend close to $2,000 for any of them.
Yikes. So, I was wondering, if I want to start of my business, should I, as a beginner, buy anything from Stahl's, or save more money, and buy something from a Chinese manufacturer. I really like the High Quality presses (planning to get 1 for T-Shirts, and another for Hats). But when I saw a Hottronix Hat Press for 800 and a Flat Press for 1000+ dollars, I suffered from sticker shock. So what should I do as a Beginner. Is there a difference of Heat Press Strength between Hottronix versus other manufacturers.A good quality heat press that does what you're wanting will cost thousands, not hundreds. Stahls has some nice heat presses, some of which are even auto open, but be prepared to spend close to $2,000 for any of them.
Stahls has a few entry level presses. The Stahls' Maxx Digital Clam and the Stahls Maxx Digital Cap press. Both are good presses.
Most online etailers won't have these in stock so call ahead. We only keep 1 or 2. Since shipping them is very expensive because they are heavy they are best drop shipped from Stahls because double shipping the product will be too expensive.
Geo-Knight would be our other recommendation.
A third option would be to get a Ricoma or CutterPros presss. Use it for a while until you have more money and then trade it in on a GeoKnight or a Stahls. If you decide to go with a less expensive press to start with then make sure there is a trade-in program so you can trade into the GeoKnight or Stahls when you are ready.
Most online etailers won't have these in stock so call ahead. We only keep 1 or 2. Since shipping them is very expensive because they are heavy they are best drop shipped from Stahls because double shipping the product will be too expensive.
Geo-Knight would be our other recommendation.
A third option would be to get a Ricoma or CutterPros presss. Use it for a while until you have more money and then trade it in on a GeoKnight or a Stahls. If you decide to go with a less expensive press to start with then make sure there is a trade-in program so you can trade into the GeoKnight or Stahls when you are ready.
Hello,I am a newcomer to the Heat Pressing Field, with no experience using a Heat Press and once I get started, it will be my first time using a Heat Press. So, I was wondering, what retailers in Southern California (Los Angeles/Orange/Inland Empire) offer a good selection of Heat Presses. Because I have been to one place in my local town, but the owners spoke poor English, and I was turned off by the Sublimation samples on a fabric. So I am planning to visit the Warehouse facilities of Heat Press Nation and Heat Press Inc, which are two e-commerce retailers. I prefer to go visit upfront, because I am totally new to this area, and I would like to see press equipment upfront, before I actually make any purchases.
So right now, I am planning to visit two E-Commerce retailer's facilities. But, I want to know what other retailers, E-Commerce, or otherwise are really good in Southern California. (Btw, I have no interests in the cheaply made stuff that is Chinese Made or anything). I want to look for a good quality Heat Press (which can Automatically open versus Manually open, to make sure I avoid body fatigue), and possibly, a good quality Hat/Cap Press as well. (That is if I have time and money to look at it).
I see some misleading information posted in the responses.
You CAN buy an excellent quality press by Stahl's, Geo Knight, or Hix for less than $900 (auto open raises that several hundred $, but I wouldn't worry about fatigue unless you are pressing a *lot* of shirts). To confirm this, just check the web sites of the preferred vendors listed on the left (Alpha Supply, Best Blanks, Imprintables, Coastal, etc.). Most of them offer free shipping, and some even offer discounts to members of this forum.Do a lot of research and price comparisons before plunking down your cash.
I am going to be a careful shopper. I will make sure I know what I do when it comes to purchasing Sublimation Blanks, Heat Presses, Sublimation Printers and so forth. I nearly gave up on buying a non-name brand Heat Press purchase because when I saw the Heat Press quality, I was turned off on how it looked like. So, I didn't buy it. I am learning about what to buy and eventually, I will get something I will like and will find something useful for me to need. You have a good set of points. I am being so cautious and smart about my shopping, to the point I have been looking for almost 1 week, went to 3 stores and still haven't made a purchase. This is how smart I am when it comes to shopping.Hello,
I see some misleading information posted in the responses.
You CAN buy an excellent quality press by Stahl's, Geo Knight, or Hix for less than $900 (auto open raises that several hundred $, but I wouldn't worry about fatigue unless you are pressing a *lot* of shirts). To confirm this, just check the web sites of the preferred vendors listed on the left (Alpha Supply, Best Blanks, Imprintables, Coastal, etc.). Most of them offer free shipping, and some even offer discounts to members of this forum.Do a lot of research and price comparisons before plunking down your cash.
I think there's too much emphasis on the manufacturer being Chinese. Focus on the customer support of the retailer.
Well I will also make sure that the retailer will be able to have good customer service as well. I am taking in as many factors into consideration as possible.I think there's too much emphasis on the manufacturer being Chinese. Focus on the customer support of the retailer.
I am in the same area as you, and getting into this hobby/business as well. Where did you end up going to purchase, and what did you get?I am a newcomer to the Heat Pressing Field, with no experience using a Heat Press and once I get started, it will be my first time using a Heat Press. So, I was wondering, what retailers in Southern California (Los Angeles/Orange/Inland Empire) offer a good selection of Heat Presses. Because I have been to one place in my local town, but the owners spoke poor English, and I was turned off by the Sublimation samples on a fabric. So I am planning to visit the Warehouse facilities of Heat Press Nation and Heat Press Inc, which are two e-commerce retailers. I prefer to go visit upfront, because I am totally new to this area, and I would like to see press equipment upfront, before I actually make any purchases.
So right now, I am planning to visit two E-Commerce retailer's facilities. But, I want to know what other retailers, E-Commerce, or otherwise are really good in Southern California. (Btw, I have no interests in the cheaply made stuff that is Chinese Made or anything). I want to look for a good quality Heat Press (which can Automatically open versus Manually open, to make sure I avoid body fatigue), and possibly, a good quality Hat/Cap Press as well. (That is if I have time and money to look at it).
Probably should make your own thread but, I started with a cheap press off ebay 15x15 swinger. 600+ shirts later I finally caved and bought a Geo Knight DK20SP.I am in the same area as you, and getting into this hobby/business as well. Where did you end up going to purchase, and what did you get?
After about a week I found all the limitations and downsides to a china press. Temp was off about 30 degrees, when you swiveled the press back and forth it would tighten it self up making the user reset the pressure ever press. Swivel motion is very crude not sure they know what bearings are. The base is really poor quality. Had to tighten it up as the two bolts and each one was on the verge of stripping out. The pressing motion is pretty crude, not smooth, not a ton of leverage. When it open it up it like to jump causing everything on the table to move.
Quality just isn't there, the heating plate has been very good though, no dead spots. Like the OP this was really a test to see if I even liked making shirts. 600+ shirts later the china press has paid for itself 20+ times over.
I upgraded because I wanted something larger and requiring less effort to operate. If you watch the used sites most of the higher end presses keep their value too. Most Geo knight and stahl presses sell for only a few hundred less than what they are new.
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