Posts filed under 'Heat Presses'
Since most digital printers operate using water based inks you will need to cure your t-shirts to achieve the best quality look on a printed garment. ‘Curing’ involves heating the t-shirt at a prescribed temperature so that any residual water left by the digital printing process evaporates. Currently the two curing methods available are heat presses and conveyor dryers.
Assuming you are not a major producer or distributor one machine will be enough to meet your needs. Most t-shirts will need between 30-90 seconds to be cured; for an exact guide and a recommended temperature be sure to consult the requirements for the ink you are planning to use provided by the manufacturer.
Though not incredibly expensive (a basic heat press starts at approximately £350) it is recommended that you don’t immediately purchase the cheapest model available. As with any new machine to be incorporated into your business you should thoroughly research the options available to you and seek out previous customers of the prospective company you are to be dealing with, after all you may need technical support. It is probably best to look at a fully digital heat press that will automatically raise itself once the pre-set time has expired to ensure against scorching the shirts. The Geo-Knight and Company’s digital heat presses (such as the DK20S, below) are usually a popular choice in this market for precisely the reasons outlined above.
The chances are that if you are a screen-printer and are moving into digital printing that you already own a conveyor dryer, and this will work fine, albeit slower than a heat press. But be aware that you will have to slow your dryer belt down from its settings to allow for a full cure. A full guide to price a specifications to the most popular models of heat press can be found elsewhere on our website Here.
August 13th, 2007
Often the most prohibitive obstacles facing a small embroidery or garment printing business is the massive initial outlay on expensive technology and machinery, meaning that it is often difficult to break even in the first few years of business, let alone post a profit. The heat press manufacturer J&A International offer a unique solution which could help your fledgling business find its feet and weather the growing pains it encounters.
Pioneering a rental scheme entitled ‘Seal-Deal’, J&A are offering a new 3030 heat press with a choice of heat plate sizes, all repairs and maintenance covered (excluding non-wear and tear damage), an immediate replacement in the event of malfunction and carriage of machine for a small monthly outlay. There is no long term commitment necessary with the minimum term lasting just three months and the 15×15 headed machines start at just £15 a week, with the smaller machines costing even less. Obviously this is no long-term solution but for a small businesses the inherent benefits of rental are evident, with no capital outlay and low administration costs cash flow will be greatly improved and money will be freed up for other costs.
Another reason people may wish to join J&A’s piloting scheme is that they might wish to invest in a 3030 but would like to test the compatibility of the machine with their pre-existing framework. Adrian Apletree, the Sales & Marketing Director for J&A International told Printwear Today: “Many people use a try before you buy service, as it provides an ideal opportunity to work with the equipment and assure them that it is suitable for their needs before investing in the actual purchase. Furthermore, it provides the flexibility of being able to exchange a machine as their business and heat sealing requirements evolve.”
Whether you are looking to free up cash for a start-up business or looking to test-drive a prospective heat press it looks like this innovative scheme could be extremely popular.
August 10th, 2007
There are five items you need to consider when shopping for a heat transfer press:
• Ease of use
• Pressure Control
• Versatility
• Durability
• Price
Ease of use
When testing a heat transfer press, take note of the ease in which you can lay the garment between the plates, the amount of pressure needed to create a clean press, and how easily the machine works overall. If you choose to buy a swing-head manual press, make sure that the handle creates a tight seal on the clothing so the heat transfer is clean. The machine must be suited to the operator that is going to use it. Manual presses need a degree of physical strength and stamina particularly if they are to be used on a constant basis. If the operator can’t handle a particular press you have a problem.
Pressure Control
Nylon, cotton, and blended fabrics require different amounts of pressure in order to complete heat transfers. The more control you have, the more items you will be able to transfer print. A manual press relies on the strength of the operator to force the two plates of the heat press together. In contrast a Pneumatic press, relies on air pressure, supplied by an external compressor. This allows the heat press to close at the push of a button rather requiring the operator to close the press manually. This allows greater consistentcy of pressing from garment to garment. However the major benefit of the pneumatic press is greater productivity per operator. If productivity is critical to your business then chose a pneumatic press.
Versatility
In order to choose the right press you need to know what you are going to print. Even if most of your customers are looking for printed t-shirts, you may need to be able to use your press in other ways. Will your customers want logos and names on bags, hats, umbrellas as well as other items.
If you want this versatility, buy a press with an interchangeable bottom plate so that you can print a variety of products.
Think about your business in terms of what you want to accomplish and buy a press that meets these needs.
Durability
There is a wide difference in heat press prices.
Unfortunately, there are presses that although low in cost, do not live up to expectations. A heat press is a piece of machinery that will eventually wear out. The manufacturer, Adkins guarantees the heat platens (plates) for life. Although they expect their machines to last 5 years they don’t offer any long term guarantee or extended warrantee for their press. If you need a press in order to stay in business, choose one that will last
In deciding which press to buy, it is important to consider what will happen if the press goes wrong.
Is there a warranty?
Are spares easily available?
Who will repair the machine and how quickly?
How will your business manage while the press is being repaired?
You may want to consider
• Demo Press – J&A offer the option to try out a press before you buy it. Effectively you are renting the machine on a 3 month contract but it gives the option of trying out the press.
• Loan Presses – The Magic Touch offer a loan press in the event of a press requiring repair. However, conditions may apply to this offer.
More than Just Price
Better quality manual presses offer a number of benefits of cheaper rivals. They are able to achieve a far greater pressure with less force required. Cheaper presses require more force from the operator and may deliver uneven pressure.
There are some good cheap heat presses around. If you are just dipping your toe in the water, a cheap press might be fine but if you are building a business it might be well worth considering a more expensive item with the backing and support of an established company behind it.
May 8th, 2007
We have compiled a list of the main heat transfer press suppliers. So if you are looking to get into the world of T-shirt printing these are the people to speak to. If you think we have missed any please let us know.
1. Xpres
www.Xpres.co.uk
01332 855085
2. A Adkins
www.themagictouch.co.uk
3. Geo Knight
www.merlintransfers.com
01702 345777
4. Hix
07771 987452
5. Hotronix
Www.targettransfers.com
01376 326351
6. Mirical Emblems
01623 490114
7. Victory Easipress
01246 570570
8. J&A International
www.ja-int.co.uk
March 27th, 2007
Of the Big three - Hanes, Gildan and Fruit of the Loom only Hanes was present.
Hanes were promoting both the Hanes and Stedman ranges on separate stands.
The Hanes stand was a minimalists dream, big lights and 3 plasma screens. A bit like Foxtons, the London estate agents, there was little evidence of product on display. The Stedman stand had the product behind bars, guarded by people dressed painted to look like wild animals. What was the slogan “Bite the Customer” or was it “Fight the T-shirt” I can’t remember.
Continentals stand reflected a cool fashion image, a sort of French Connection ready for print or embroidery.
At embroidery machine stands Baruden, Tajima, SWF and Midwest ……, things were much as usual - embroidery machines busily beavering away. No hint of minimalism here.
The suppliers of heat presses and vinyl seemed to be getting plenty of traffic.
The newer technology digital printing took my interest. There were several stands including YES and Amaya offering rival machines that could print multicolour prints straight onto a t-shirt.
Notable new stands included Trutex the schoolwear supplier. I didn’t really understand the logic of their strategy of offering free embroidery on their products when the majority of visitors at the show were printers and embroiderers.
Back at our JHK stand things were busy. Could the customers get past the marketing manager from Blue Max /Stag taking photographs of our stand? Had Kustom Kit’s people had been round for a third time for brochures and price lists. No wonder we were running out. How could we politely stop the people who had decided that they wanted to win the Ipod and that they were going to do this by going through all the scratch cards. Things had started to turn nasty when they decided that the only reason that they hadn’t won was because that we weren’t really giving one away.
There were plenty of interesting moments. “Could the person who picked up the promotional bag with the lap top inside, please return it to the organisers office”.
The show was a great opportunity for new printers, embroiderers and find suppliers.
After 3 days of scoffing biscuits and multicoloured M&M’s which reflected the colours of our T-shirts it was time to go home. As for next year why does this show have to be in Birmingham again….. London or Manchester would make a nice change.
March 8th, 2007
