Full Version: What A Wonderful Event!
From: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#1]
28 Feb 2007
To: ALL
Thanks to everyone who made the party possible and such a nice event! It really was terrific to meet many of you (...everyone that I met....you know what I mean...) and make such nice friends. It really was a highlight of my show.
Look forward to next year's bash!
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2]
28 Feb 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#1] 28 Feb 2007
I was happy to get to know you a little bit. You have a very interesting background.
Aren't you glad you retired to the awards industry? :-)
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#3]
28 Feb 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#1] 1 Mar 2007
Jim,
I am glad you made it back home safely. It was GREAT to meet you and put a face to a name.
It was quite a let down on Saturday afternoon/evening, knowing that everyone had gone and the party was over.
Among the highlights of the show was the opportunity to hang out with the EE folks...ALMOST everynight.
See you next year. I will be giving you a call next week.
From: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#4]
1 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2] 1 Mar 2007
Aren't you glad you retired to the awards industry?
Likewise David! Yes....I was getting way too much sleep in my previous job!
From: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#5]
1 Mar 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#3] 1 Mar 2007
From: PenMan [#6]
1 Mar 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#5] 2 Mar 2007
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#7]
1 Mar 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#5] 2 Mar 2007
Jim,
The deep end of ink jet sublimation is shallow, compared to its infancy.
Thankfully, you've missed the Good Old Days and will have a much shorter learning curve.
There are a lot of people here, who can help you out, should you have any difficulties.
EDITED: 1 Mar 2007 by DGL
From: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#8]
2 Mar 2007
To: PenMan [#6] 3 Mar 2007
Chris...
We spent two years dragging our feet on this one....and finally made the decision at the show. I bought an Epson 4000 with Sawgrass Ink and a Geo. Knight DK20S heat press. There's a newer equivalent Epson on the market (the 4800) that handles pure cotton materials better, but a bit slower according to the guys at Johnson Plastics. And since we really aren't in the wearables business....and have no desire to endlessly create t-shirts....we opted for the faster printer.
After we get rolling, I think we'll probably add a set of mug wraps for coffee cups and such.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#9]
2 Mar 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#8] 3 Mar 2007
Jim,
Before you jump off the mug wrap train, check dssi and search for mug wraps. I thought long and hard about it, and wraps ARE a vialbe option, BUT I am so glad I bought the novachrome mug press. ( also available at Johnson) instead of the wraps.
Also, before they ship the heat press, might I suggest the shuttle attachment. It allows you to load a second job while the first one is pressin and considerable speeds production. Another purchase I do not regret. I think it adds about $600.00 to the system. If I had not gotten it then, I would be getting it now.
Just my two cents. Want change?
Oh, who was your rep with Johnson?
From: PenMan [#10]
3 Mar 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#8] 3 Mar 2007
So what do you plan to do with it most of the time? I was looking at the same press but a smaller format printer. I was thinking the 1280 until I started reading negative comments about it clogging.
I'll have to run a new electrical circuit if I plan to use the press at the same time I'm doing anything else. Oh to be back in my store again where I had plenty of power. :-(
From: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#11]
3 Mar 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#9] 3 Mar 2007
From: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#12]
3 Mar 2007
To: PenMan [#10] 3 Mar 2007
Chris...
We have a very large concentration of corporate headquarters here, and get requests weekly for items requiring color for their logos - plaques, badges, name plates, etc. I also think we can expand into a few markets that we're missing with some of our existing clients like teams, schools and organizations for their fundraising efforts.
EDITED: 3 Mar 2007 by GREAT_ATLANTIC
From: UncleSteve [#13]
3 Mar 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#11] 3 Mar 2007
Unless you are doing a high volume of mugs at the same time, here are a few reasons for a press:
Portable
Faster
The wife doesn't complain about using her oven..... (angel)
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#14]
3 Mar 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#11] 3 Mar 2007
Jim,
I decided against the wraps because they seemed complex to me. I know a lot of folks use them and are quite happy with them, but to me, needing to put the wrap on the mug, tighten the bolt, bake it, take it out "with gloves"..loosen the bolt, let the wrap cool, put it on a new mug, repeat the process, seemed WAY more complex.
With the press, I put the transfer on the mug, let it sit in the press, take it out by the handle without gloves, put the next mug in and move on.
It just seems easier to me. Yes, you can do more mugs at a time with the wraps, but I think that it is all a wash. Especiallly if you got a satellite unit for the Novachrome press. That brings your press time down to 2.5 minutes per mug. ( 2 mugs for 5 minutes) .....so you could potentially do 24 mugs an hour.....
Just my two cents. Want change?
From: gt350ed [#15]
3 Mar 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#1] 3 Mar 2007
We're in our 4th year with a store and our 6th year online. Our online portion of the business is exclusively dye-sublimated mugs and steins. We also do lasering, sandblasting and rotary engraving (minimally).
By now, we have done thousands of mugs and steins with two Novachrome Mug Pro presses. We never seriously considered mug wraps, nor would we today for the reasons stated by others here.
When it comes to dye-sub, we do a lot more than mugs and steins. We introduce color into our trophies and awards whenever we can. It dramatically increases perceived value in most cases.
Throughout our 6 years in dye-sub, we have only used Epson 980s or, now, 1280s. Contrary to other opinions, clogging relates more to the ink than to the printer. Once we found out how to care for the beasts, including trashing our bulk system and opting for spongeless refillable carts, our experience has been relatively trouble-free.
The Epson 4000 is a good machine. The 4800 is even better. However, as you are no doubt aware, the 1280 is considerably less expensive.
In any event, you'll find plenty of help here, as well as on our sister forum, DSSI.
Welcome aboard! And please make sure your arms remain inside the car, and fasten your seatbelts. B-)
From: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#16]
3 Mar 2007
To: UncleSteve [#13] 3 Mar 2007
Quite possibly the best reason of all :D
Thanks for the input guys....I think I'll start a thread on this topic in the correct category. If you don't mind, I'd like to continue to pick your brains before making any moves one way or another.
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#17]
3 Mar 2007
To: UncleSteve [#13] 3 Mar 2007
"Her" oven?
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#18]
3 Mar 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#16] 3 Mar 2007
That shouldn't take but a minute. :O
From: UncleSteve [#19]
3 Mar 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#17] 3 Mar 2007
Of COURSE "her oven"...... and MY barbeque! :>
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#20]
3 Mar 2007
To: UncleSteve [#19] 3 Mar 2007
Of COURSE "her oven"...... and MY barbeque! :>
Possibly a gourmet cook? Then it becomes HIS oven AND HIS barbeque! ;-)
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