motoxchic 33 Posted January 28, 2014 So, I have been reading through lots of stuff on heat presses. I originally bought an SC cutter, and within 3 months upgraded to a Graphtec. Now my SC sits until I can get it sold :| I am guessing I might be in the same position if I buy an inexpensive press? I am looking at the Hotronix Fusion ($1850), Auto Open Clam ($1450) or MAXX ($1050). OR I could spend a few hundred dollars on a starter press. I MOSTLY want this for our company stuff, however, I also said that when I bought my cutter, and I have stayed pretty busy as word got around. So, help me make my decision...will I be upgrading quickly if I buy a starter model? And between Auto Open Clam or MAXX will they open wide enough to keep me out of the ER? Here is what I mostly want to do...and I do this all part time Tees (layered colors, i can be very creative, lol) Sweatshirts Kids stuff Probably some rhinestone stuff (maybe on hats later?) Mesh construction safety vests Is there a way to do t-shirt sleeves without a hat press? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
security802 686 Posted January 28, 2014 Yes you can do sleeves on a regular heat press, just need to get a press pad, or old mouse pad to put in it. Google heat press vinyl on T-shirt sleeve. There a couple videos showing how 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr300s 1,272 Posted January 28, 2014 I have the auto open 16 x 20 Phoenix press and I wish I didn't get one with the auto feature, but everyone has their own taste. I just find I wouldn't have really needed it. I am always right there so really no need for the auto feature but again I know folks that wouldn't have one without it... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaybyrd 3,770 Posted January 28, 2014 I have the auto open 16 x 20 Phoenix press and I wish I didn't get one with the auto feature, but everyone has their own taste. I just find I wouldn't have really needed it. I am always right there so really no need for the auto feature but again I know folks that wouldn't have one without it... I'm on the other side of the coin with an auto open press. Seems like every time I close the press a customer walks in or the phone rings and I'd like to be able to just walk away and know that it'll finish up without me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OWJones 1,981 Posted January 28, 2014 I'm one of those who always tries to go the cheap route first and then has to upgrade later... I'm slowly learning the lesson that I'm better off just going ahead and buying the nicer model first, but doing a lot of research before I commit... As evidenced by my SignWarehouse cutter that was replaced by a Graphtec, my 15"x15" generic heat press replaced by a 16"x20" GeoKnight press, my used WF1100 dye sub printer that is in the process of being replaced with a newer model, etc., etc., etc... My hat press isn't a fancy name brand, but I did a bunch of reading online and got it from a vendor with a lot of positive feedback... Haven't felt any need to replace it yet! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motoxchic 33 Posted January 28, 2014 Yes you can do sleeves on a regular heat press, just need to get a press pad, or old mouse pad to put in it. Google heat press vinyl on T-shirt sleeve. There a couple videos showing how ok, i have googled for the last 20 minutes and found 1 video using a hat press on short sleeve, and 1 for a long sleeve sweatshirt (which was helpful...just folded the sleeve at the seam and pressed over 2 layers). Is there one you have seen that would be helpful? thanks, feeling like its my first time googling at the moment, lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
security802 686 Posted January 28, 2014 http://blog.transferexpress.com/blog/decorating-sleeves-custom-transfers/ Found this one Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motoxchic 33 Posted January 28, 2014 yeah, thats the one I found too, cant find one with a flat press. OWJ, you sound like what is going through my brain. Swing style: Hotronix 16x20 $1850 GeoKnight 16x20 $1392 What is the major difference in price here? Clam Shell: Price differences between Hotronix or GeoKnight in this category seem comparable. Any advice on brand, ease of use, quality? And is threadability important? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hockeygirl 30 Posted January 28, 2014 yeah, thats the one I found too, cant find one with a flat press. OWJ, you sound like what is going through my brain. Swing style: Hotronix 16x20 $1850 GeoKnight 16x20 $1392 What is the major difference in price here? Clam Shell: Price differences between Hotronix or GeoKnight in this category seem comparable. Any advice on brand, ease of use, quality? And is threadability important? The Hotronix Fusion is a swing + drawer. I just bought a Hotronix auto-open clam from dealer demo, significantly less than new. Hotronix website also offer refurbished models at lower price. When I talked to the dealer, their opinion is unless you're constantly multi-tasking or in different rooms, then the Maxx is sufficient for most people at a lower cost, with the same Hotronix quality/warranty behind it. I went for the auto-open because I've had 2 shoulder surgeries in the last 4 months and the auto-open is just so much easier on the shoulder - it's pretty much personal preference. I also liked the Hotronix because I can get the caddy with it and easily turn it into a threadable press. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dawn's Design 403 Posted January 28, 2014 I have a Geoknight 16x20 swing and I love it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OWJones 1,981 Posted January 28, 2014 I'm madly in love with the beautiful Brittany from Conde System and she regularly uses a GeoKnight DK20S, so how could I possibly use anything else? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
security802 686 Posted January 29, 2014 yeah, thats the one I found too, cant find one with a flat press. OWJ, you sound like what is going through my brain. Swing style: Hotronix 16x20 $1850 GeoKnight 16x20 $1392 What is the major difference in price here? Clam Shell: Price differences between Hotronix or GeoKnight in this category seem comparable. Any advice on brand, ease of use, quality? And is threadability important? second video down was a short sleeve t-shirt when I posted it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OWJones 1,981 Posted January 29, 2014 I'm madly in love with the beautiful Brittany from Conde System and she regularly uses a GeoKnight DK20S, so how could I possibly use anything else? get into an argument with her sometimes - I had sawgrass providing ink to me for about 1.5years and when I went to get support from her on my printer she wouldn't help as I had not bought ink from them in over a year - bought $over 2K in printer and stuff originally but hadn't bought a $110 ink in a year so she said no - ummmmm she lost a lot of that beauty that day. David ended up getting it settled but not till after I solved the printer problem thru sawgrass directly. Who the heck edited my post and added that bit about the argument? That wasn't me... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JGKUSTOMS 7 Posted January 29, 2014 http://sunie.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1 My press nothing fancy and actually to my surprise presses nice is evenly heated. down fall is ya burn your knuckle on the heat platen more then ya think. but for $300 its made 4x its money worth back 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wildgoose 4,200 Posted January 29, 2014 I just have a swing away from USCutter and it has done great but I will some day upgrade. I bought a perfect press pad from Stahls and use it lots for shirt sleeves and crest prints when there are buttons or seams nearby. I think mine is a 5"x6" pad. They have a whole assortment that you can buy in a group or one at a time. I just bought the one once I saw the price. I haven't tried a mouse pad but it would probably work too although it will be a little thinner than the press pad is. I also have a couple press pillows that are SUPER handy when you need one. My main one is about 12" x 12" or some such and I use it when I have a previously applied graphic on the back side that I don't want to get hot or if there are shirt seams that are up on the press as smaller shirts tend to be. If you have a seam near your image it can cause adhesion problems or wrinkles. The other press pillow I have is 5" x 16" (i think ) and is a must have for pant legs and long sleeves where you can pretty much guarantee a seam messing you up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted January 29, 2014 Who the heck edited my post and added that bit about the argument? That wasn't me... sorry jones must have hit edit and not quote - that was my mistake and I take full responsibility - was a long long day yesterday with no sleep the night before get into an argument with her sometimes - I had sawgrass providing ink to me for about 1.5years and when I went to get support from her on my printer she wouldn't help as I had not bought ink from them in over a year - bought $over 2K in printer and stuff originally but hadn't bought a $110 ink in a year so she said no - ummmmm she lost a lot of that beauty that day. David ended up getting it settled but not till after I solved the printer problem thru sawgrass directly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motoxchic 33 Posted January 29, 2014 second video down was a short sleeve t-shirt when I posted it? Thank you! I didnt scroll down 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaybyrd 3,770 Posted January 30, 2014 sorry jones must have hit edit and not quote - that was my mistake and I take full responsibility - was a long long day yesterday with no sleep the night beforeget into an argument with her sometimes - I had sawgrass providing ink to me for about 1.5years and when I went to get support from her on my printer she wouldn't help as I had not bought ink from them in over a year - bought $over 2K in printer and stuff originally but hadn't bought a $110 ink in a year so she said no - ummmmm she lost a lot of that beauty that day. David ended up getting it settled but not till after I solved the printer problem thru sawgrass directly. Trying to throw OW under the bus. I disappear for a day and everything goes kaput lol. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
