NiteWalker

Did you stretch before and after pressing?

Another vote for the Graphtec. The CE5000-60 is a great machine.

Light or dark shirt? I've used JPSS on whites and 3G Jet Opaque on darks and neither cracked or peeled after several washes. The issue might be application techniques. Have you checked your press for correct time, pressure and temp settings?

Have you thought about Sihl 3988? It's a printable vinyl that comes out great. IMHO, it's much better than papilio. If you mean papers, Epson Ultra Premium Presentation Paper Matte and Ultra Premium Gloosy Photo Paper are my favorites. Amazon carries both sizes in 13x19.

Just curious as to why someone would contour cut reflective... Would it be printed?

Oracal 651: USCutter. $13.49 for a 15"x10 yard roll of black or white, $14.99 for colors. Flat rate of $9.99 for shipping. Best price I've found. For application tape I like RTape AT60. Oracal 651 is a great all-around vinyl. Good for most uses.

Mine doesn't have the smell, but I haven't really looked for it either... I wouldn't worry about it. If it's what I think it is, it's just the smell electronic components give off. I never bothered to check as to why they emit that smell. I keep mine on 24/7. I print every few days to keep the heads free flowing.

I bought it from Pro-World. I originally bought the TransPro 15x15 from them, but decided I'd be better off with a better quality machine. So I returned the TransPro and paid the difference for the MAXX. I can definitely notice the difference in quality. It's built better, the fit and finish are far superior, it heats up quicker, holds temps better and has more even heating across the element. There's maybe a 3* difference from corner to corner diagonal. Also a great feature I didn't appreciate until I discovered it, was that the top has lots more space between the platen and heating element when open. No burned knuckles! About the size, I've done shirts up to 6X, and the positioning is a bit tricky, but the shirts come out great. When funds allow though, I'll be upgrading to the Hotronix 16x20 auto open. At that point I'd either sell the MAXX or keep it as a press dedicated to JPSS or something like that. It's really a great press. Like Scott said though, the sunie with over the center pressure will work fine; I just didn't want something that *just* got me by. I like to have a cushion (the cushion being the features, reliability and warranty of a more expensive, yet professional quality press) so I have less to worry about.

They don't stay sharp long cutting printed and laminated decals either... It's funny you mention the LG Hi-Cal. The $1 roll special I got from sign warehouse weeds like garbage. It cuts Oracal 651 and FDC 4200 just fine.

The 16x24 has over the back pressure adjustment. IMHO, that's a no-no. You want over the center for even pressure throughout the heating element. I'd only get a sunie or similar if you plan on upgrading later on. Otherwise I'd get a good press from the start. I first bought a TransPro 15x15 but returned it and spent the extra for a Stahl's MAXX 15x15. I definitely don't regret it. I voted for the pro press, especially if you're going to be making money off of it.

IMHO, the best heat presses for the buck are the Stahl's MAXX presses. The 15x15 is $795 minus some discounts floating around and worth every penny. No more cheap presses for me. Next year I might upgrade to the 16x20 auto open since I just found out our breaker box has 20 amp circuits and not 15 like I thought originally.

Does this appy to most cutters or just USC's in house brands? I have a Graphtec CE5000-40 and Cut3000 (GCC Bengal) and both are working fine on a windows 7 x64 machine through USB. Or is it an operating system issue?

If it's a known problem why doesn't USC just ship these with the cutters? It's kind of bait and switch IMHO, and then they charge $35 for an adapter that can be had elsewhere for under $10... I thought USC was better than this... But anyway, to the OP I hope it fixes your problem. Chrome is a lot harder on the blades than regular vinyl. Did you try adjusting the force? And cleancut blades FTW! They're great.

For vinyl, Spectra Eco-Film (imprintables warehouse) or Siser Easyweed. For a printer, Epson WF1100 with Cobra Ink CIS, pigment inks for most things, another with high temp ink for sublimation. For t-shirt transfers, JPSS for whites, 3G Jet Opaque for darks. For a heat press, get the best you can afford. I have a Stahl's MAXX 15x15. It's a great press. Corel draw works great for your purposes. I use it extensively. Not sure about Sublimation transfers.

+1.