looking to dig myself in deeper- heat press questions

[deth502]

just like the title says.

im doing this basically as a hobby, so making a profit on it is not really a consideration at this point. if it turns into that, ill likely buy some better machines.

but... for right now, i was looking at the home page here and checking out the $130 mug press and the 9x12 overarm t shirt press.

then i check the forums here and see things like special printers and ink, and $800.......

im under the impression that this is not nessicary??

can i just get the heat transfer vinyl, cut it like a regular sticker,and put it on a shirt as such, assuming i only want one color.

and are the mugs the same way? same vinyl?? i looked at the siser site, and they mention nothing about porcelain anywhere.

and materials. i see the shirts are avail here, would ANY standard cotton t work as well? or is there something special about them?? also with the mugs, i dont see mugs anywhere, will any blank mug work?? or again, are there something special about the ones needed?

one more thing, if i want to get a LITTLE more complicated and do a 2 color design, how?? can i press on one clor, then press on the 2nd over, or will that be too much heat and ruin the first?? i watched one of the videos on the siser site, and im guessing i cant layer them the same as a vinyl sticker?

[Dakotagrafx]

The T-shirts are heat pressed with the heat set vinyl as you described - for 2 color just press the first color about 5 sec peel and apply the second color then press the whole time.  I have heard of people using heat press vinyl on bugs but for longevity what you have been reading about is sublimation ink set up.   the ink actually goes to a gas and attaches itself to the pores in the special coating on ceramic mugs and can be scrubbed and run thru the dishwasher without a problem.  have you searched vinyl mugs above?

http://forum.uscutter.com/index.php/topic,2517.0.html

[tory]

You will also want a cover sheet when applying 2 color designs with a heatpress. Kraft paper or a teflon sheet, unwaxed parchment paper would work too. The platen can't touch the vinyl or you will have a mess

[deth502]

The T-shirts are heat pressed with the heat set vinyl as you described - for 2 color just press the first color about 5 sec peel and apply the second color then press the whole time.  I have heard of people using heat press vinyl on bugs but for longevity what you have been reading about is sublimation ink set up.   the ink actually goes to a gas and attaches itself to the pores in the special coating on ceramic mugs and can be scrubbed and run thru the dishwasher without a problem.  have you searched vinyl mugs above?

http://forum.uscutter.com/index.php/topic,2517.0.html

yes, that was the thread i saw when i was referring to spending $800 on the printer to get started, like i said, hobby, not business, so that kind of cost is prohibitive for me to get into it.

and i saw about using the teflon sheet, im guessing that considered a "consumable" but it is more or less almost infinitely reusable?? (assuming i dont rip/burn/whatever it)

[Dakotagrafx]

check out the sunie presses for a cheap reliable press.  If you purchase direct from their web site you get a 3 yr warranty

[ClawGFX]

+1 for  sunie, Had mine close to 2 years now with no problem.. Using the same original Teflon sheet I ordered from them to this day