A basic dye sub question

[Ian Stewart-Koster]

Is it worth getting an A4 size dyesub epson printer at all?
Prices downunder are about double or more those in USA.
A basic decent unit with CISS & inks & a new printer seems to run into $1200 minimum, unless you want an epson C70.

I'm wondering for those who do a lot of dye sub, when you started out, were you mainly doing mugs etc, or shirts, was there a need for an A3 size much?

What about dye sub on polyester coated brass trophy plaques- is there much profit in this?

Do you coat your own metal or china at all? (I've seen some bottles of polyester emulsion on ebay to coat your own hard stuff)

Thanks,

[Air Art Girl]

I never us A3. Most of what we do can is on letter, legal some tabloid. Mainly do mugs, plaques (both white aluminum and unisub) have done some fabric. I wouldn't spend on a larger printer. Depending on what you are interested in doing, even the Epson C88 would be a less expensive option. I buy all coated products.

[cajun312]

I have the Epson C88 with re-fillable carts, those or a bulk system are the only way to go. I've found that sub t-shirts are a hard sell, to pricey compared to cotton shirts so I mainly do awards plaques, dash plaques for car shows, and a few mugs and beer steins.
Mark

[MrKoob]

Is it worth getting an A4 DyeSub printer? Overall, probably but it all comes down to your needs. If you'e growing then you might consider something larger like an Epson R1800. If you're not sure, stick with the A4 size until you see a need. Example the C88 usually retails for about $90 U.S. Dollars. I'd hope you would have already made that back after a few sales. I for example have used the C88 for dye subbed shirts and it can also be used cotton prints if you use the right ink.

[Bogie]

I'm not sure about the "real" inks, but if I didn't use my chicom inks _every_day_ I had nasty clogs. Finally just gave up (on an Epson 1280). Also, about the only thing I really had success with (NOBODY wants white t-shirts) was coffee mugs, and the dang things aren't dishwasher safe. The colors start to migrate.

[3CGraphics]

I use an epson 3000 - I am able to do items many can not and it helps - seems everyone is doing mugs and even the big guns can do minimum 12 now for $4 or so - not worth it for me at those prices. I find being able to do the larger items helps and the 3000 carts are refillable with a syringe so even with ink at $120 a 4oz bottle it is profitable.

[badgeman]

We do dye sub all day long. DO NOT GO A3. If you are starting out A4 is big enough. If you need anything bigger sub out to start and when there is demand go bigger and get a better machine than an Epson A3. Then you can start looking into moving onto bigger machines.

Most of our work is either A4 size or smaller or shirt panels for sportswear, though we do of course do corporate ties and scarves as one of our specialities. All our work is done on two Roland SJ 740/745. Thus when we do small badges for customers we run them along the side of our other prints. We used to do all badges on a small A$ semi automatic machine but digital is so much easier.

MUGS AAAARGH. We do not dye sub mugs. Too many come backs. We go the original way. Ceramic inks and kilns. Longer lasting but takes more time.

T shirts are expensive but there are things that can be done using sublimation that can't be done using traditional screen printing. You need to focus on personalisation, ie. individual names with each shirt using same basic picture. Also special occasions, people tend to spend a bit more for a bit of history. eg Australia Lose to Zimbabwe at cricket.(LOL) Sorry could not resist.

Hope this helps

[Ian Stewart-Koster]

Thanks for the great replies- there's some very good information there.
I wasn't mainly keen on shirts- we screen print them anyway- but was interested in mugs as business cards, and plaques for trophies, and for interpretive signage for museums etc.

Another query- are the four colour printers- cmyk- noticably 'worse' than a six of seven colour printer in the image produced, or are there greater variables like the substrate & transfer paper in the equation.

I.E. am I better off with a six than a four colour printer, given a choice, or is the price & ink difference not of any real consequence, or is it worth it?

Thanks in advance!