What type of press to buy?

[raw191]

I'm looking at getting into doing t shirts in our small town. I'm the only graphics shop and keep getting asked to do them. I send the silk screen orders to Newell Graphics, but am thinging about doing 1-off stuff in house. What's a good, cheap press to get just to get started and see if I like it? Anybody got one that they don't use, or have outgrown? Again, cheap is good, just to get started. Thanks.

raw191

[Techman]

get a table..
bolt screen to table = one color
bolt second screen to table 90 degrees away = second color
bolt third screen to table another 90 degrees = third color.
Move them like a card board box flaps with one then the next then the next.
3 colors Done!
I know a dude who has used this system for 15 years.. short runs

[Ken]

Get a wine press..add yeast..problem solved..
Ken

[raw191]

I was thinking more along the lines of a heat press for the thermal press on stuff. I'll leave the silk screening to others. I've already got a vinyl cutter, and want to do small runs.

[Pro Image]

www.usscreen.com ..................Look through the classifieds........

[Sign-Man Signs]

For a more serious reply. We use a 15 x 15 heat press. Most larger ink jet printer like Epson will take a heat transfer paper of 11 x 17 but anything over that is a waste.Since your press is 15 x 15, it works well when buying transfers and ink.We have an Epson 1280 and use a bulk ink system to cut down cost of printing. You can also buy transfers that can be copied via a lazer copier. Watch out for difussor oils and such. There are two different types of transfers for copiers that use diffusor oils and those that don't.
Get a heat press that has either a dial heat set or digital. Don't go for the one that send you a stop watch to use for youre heat times. Get a machine that has a dial/digiat heat set and an automatic timer.
We Coastal Business Supplies for our transfer paper for our Epson or our Mutoh. They carry heat presses also.
Here's the link

www.coastalbusiness.com

Any other questions, just email me. Good Luck!

[beckys]

I have a Geo Knight 14"x16", i think...clamshell.
Only used a few times for sale.
PM if interested