Full Version: Sublimation?
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#35]
25 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#32] 25 Mar 2007
I would suggest a 15x15, as the smallest platen size you would want to use.
Why?
Because not all of that area is useable. The edges of a press (for logical reason) tend to be cooler than the center.
Small format printers, using legal size paper (8.5x14), are capable of making transfers with a printable area of approx. 8"x13".
That fact, takes a press with a 12" platen (for the reason I mentioned) out of the running.
A 15" press still allows for a consistent transfer of heat over the entire 12-13" area of a substrate.
EDITED: 25 Mar 2007 by DGL
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#36]
25 Mar 2007
To: ALL
Wow!! You guys are awesome!!
First of all John,
Thanks for the response. I have been in touch with Mick and he has answered some questions for me. However, he didn't comment on my current Konica/Minolta Printer. I will phone him tommorrow and ask him again. I'm disapointed to hear that you have had un-satisfactory results with you Oki 5200 Printer. Do you have any ideas as to why?
Chuck,
Your offer is incredibly generous. I would be happy to accept it. But please, let me pay you (wholesale I hope). Just Put together whatever you feel would be a good sample kit and let me know what I owe you including shipping and how to pay you. Do you have a Paypal Account? I will send you a PM with my address. Since John mentioned unsatisfactory results with the substrates he has tried using his Oki 5300 Printer, May I ask you which Printer you are using? And which transfers you are using?
David,
Once again you have helped to re-assure me. I have always tried to follow the "Chuck Rule" Buy top of the line, and overkill.... But after the purchase of my new Epilog Laser Engraver and Rayzist Blasting Cabinet, as well as looking like I will end up purchasing a new Vision Phoenix 12x12 Engraver, I am just about out of money. A 15"x15" Platen size is about half the cost of what the 16"x20" is. I'm sure I can cash in some pop bottles to buy one.
When I mentioned "The Chuck Rule" above, I meant it as a compliment to Chuck.
Again, I really wish to thank all of you for your help. It is appreciated.
Don
High Desert Engraving Co.
From: John (JOHNRMONTG) [#37]
25 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#36] 26 Mar 2007
Hi Don ... thanks for the reply. I would like to comment that just because I didnt' have 'great' sucess with the OKI doesn't mean that others haven't. To be fair, I probably just didn't give it a long enough trial period. Just after I 'thew in the towel' so to speak, Al sent me a couple of sublimated (laser toner) tiles that really looked better then the oem tiles I had seen and pressed myself and I was impressed. The only problem I had with the laser toner sublimation was that they also used the expensive coated substrates, which wouldn't save me any money so I can wholesale my products and I didn't like to re enter the tile back into an oven for a second time to better cure the tiles. I still felt the tiles didn't quite have the durability a dye subbed ink jet tile had and I like using a larger format printer which I switched to a 4800 from my initial 1280.
I have talked with others on this and the DSSI forum whom feel that both the oem and laser subbed hard goods are well received in both quality and durability it just wasn't what met my expectations.
Good luck on your decisions and TAKE YOUR TIME ... get samples into your own hands and do your market surveys to see what your market is or what you can develop.
Oh, in regards to Mick getting back to you ...I am sure he will ..don't be afraid to re-call him as he is quite busy and I beleive he has also tested the Minolta/Konica printer line ... or at least I know i have read others reporting on them on the DSSI forum.
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#38]
26 Mar 2007
To: ALL
Thinking about buying a Hix SwingMan 15 Heat Press for Laser Transfers. Is this a good one? Any other recommendations? Here is the URL for it. http://www.bestblanks.com/hixswingman15heatpress.html
Thanks,
Don
High Desert Engraving Co.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#39]
26 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#38] 26 Mar 2007
Hix has a good reputation.
The Swingman is the least expensive of the swing-away-style heat presses, which are preferred by many, for their ability to press thicker objects and the fact that the platen is perpendicular to the substrate, as opposed to the "clam-style" presses, where the press closes at an angle.
There are clam-style presses equipped with floating platens, which will adjust for thicker objects.
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#40]
26 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#39] 26 Mar 2007
Thanks David,
Mick from Cactus suggested I buy a swing-away-style, and you suggested I buy nothing smaller than a 15"x15". So it looks like this one fits both bills.
One again you have been very helpful.
Don
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#41]
27 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#39] 27 Mar 2007
David,
I'm ready to buy a Hix Swingman15 15x15 Swinger Heat Transfer Press. Could you suggest a couple of places to purchase it from? I see it at Coastal Business supplies, Inc. on special with free shipping. I've never dealt with them, are they O.K.?
Thanks,
Don
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#42]
27 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#41] 27 Mar 2007
Haven't had any experience with Coast Business Supply, but free shipping is an incentive.
Is the free shipping the special, or are they selling the press for less than $635?
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#43]
27 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#42] 27 Mar 2007
David,
They're price for the Press is $645.00. The free shipping is the special. But since I have never dealt with them, I was hoping you had a suggestion of whom I should buy it from. I would rather purchase from a known reputable source, even if I don't get free shipping.
I'll await your reply.
Thank you,
Don
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#44]
27 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#43] 27 Mar 2007
Don,
There's probably more than one reputable source, but one I know of personally, and one I'm sure others would recommend, is Alpha Supply.
Jack Franklin, one of our forum members, will make sure you're treated right. :-)
EDITED: 27 Mar 2007 by DGL
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#45]
27 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#43] 27 Mar 2007
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#46]
27 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#44] 27 Mar 2007
Thanks David,
I'll phone Jack at Alpha Supply tommorrow.
Don
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#47]
27 Mar 2007
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#45] 27 Mar 2007
Thanks Harvey,
I'll take a look at Insta Heat Presses.
Don
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