tammy h

I think I figured out some of my problem last night. I had a font that I must have "lost" during the windows freeze and I tried to change it. Since it didn't recongnize it - that must have messed something up. I'm going to give 3.053 another try and I might ask you for that 3.051 if I can't get it fixed- thank you for the offer ! I had really bad issues with the 3.052 and that's why I upped to the 3.053 last weekend. That's when my PC completely froze and I had to have windows re-installed. Thankfully the person who fixed my pc was able to save almost all or all of my files to a memory stick so now I'm reinstalling. I had signblazer to and still have a copy but haven't used it much since I got SCALP. I thought about going back to it for some projects to see how I like it. I liked the tracing in SCALP. But, I've also become more proficient in the use of INKSCAPE , so I could use signblazer to cut some of those files. We're pretty new at this and I have a full time career- so not as much time to spend on it as I'd like . Thanks again- Tammy

I've been running into the same thing recently. Say- I'm cutting 4 shirts... on 1 a couple of the letters will drop down or move closer to the others. I'm getting frustrated w/ the program...

I have read thru several of the posts on heat presses- but a lot of them are a couple of years or more old. I don't want to spend a fortune- but I'm getting requests for t-shirt capability etc. I would like to purchase something I can use in the future - as I get more requests etc. So- I am considering the combo on the US Cutter site? http://www.uscutter.com/Heat-Presses#product_listing=%3Fcurrent_page%3D1%26results_per_page%3D16%26order_by%3Dlowest_price%26search_params%3DCategory_DELIMITER_id%3A5 Can anyone give me feedback on this? Is this something where I'd be better buying a stand alone swing arm and then buying separate presses for caps/ mugs later or are the combos as good? I see a lot about uneven heat and not being able to use them w/ Sub printing later because of uneven heat? Would this be a concern on this one? Also- if I got with like a 15x11 or 12 - can I heat press in 2 parts if I'm doing something larger... Last question- and sorry for so many- but I saw someone recommended doing some t-shirts w/ an iron? I was told by the USCUtter Rep that they didn't recommend this... Is this possible? If it is- I'd definitely love to try it that way. But- as also mentioned - I see the heat transfer vinyl is much more expensive and I certainly don't want to ruin a bunch of material... Thanks again- in advance- for all the advice! This group is so helpful !! Tammy

Yes- it's the over the center pressure one that was linked on here. I think you might have that same one. I wonder what they'll do with a broken weld. I've contacted them but no response yet. I'm swimming in t-shirt/ koozie orders (which is good!) but I'm a little worried now having this heat press issue. Tammy

I bought the clamshell press from Sunie and we're having an issue with it. I'm not sure if anyone's run into anything like this- but - all of the sudden last night no matter how tight or how loose we adjust the pressure knob there is no pressure. We noticed when trying to lock it down it locks down very easily and we're having trouble getting it to apply to the transfers. My husband checked it and said moving the knob no longer makes a difference... Any ideas what this could be? Figured I'd contact Sunie this AM.

I've used the easy weed quite a bit but didn't know if it would work on something that had to stretch. Thank you.

I have someone wanting some ribbed women's tank tops. Is my only option for vinyl the stretch siser or thermoflex? They want hot pink vinyl but I don't see any in either of these brands that say stretch. Has anyone had luck with any other vinyl on these types of shirts? Also- any sources for purchasing them? Jiffy seems higher than buying them at say Wal Mart... Tammy

I have an order for koozies also. Does it matter if they are polyurethane or neoprene? Is one easier to heat apply than the other? Has anyone tried to make their own? Tammy

Yes- thank you!

I'm looking for some heat appiled vinyl that has that distressed look. Some people are using it on the sports looking tshirts with like the XXL or something on the front in a box with the letters cut out. I know I'm not explaning this well- but it seems to be a new trend and my husband wants for some of his shirts. Tammy

I have some curiosities and the more I read the more confused I become... I have been really considering looking at a sublimation printer to do t-shirts/ sweatshirts etc. I have recently purchased (thank you to all of your advice) a heat press. I have ordered some sample vinyl and am in the process of ordering some more. I have recently talked to a woman who ran her own direct garment printing business and had some really cool work. I read that the direct garment printing requires 100% cotton but that the sublimation will only print on poly blends. Is this true? I looked up pricing on the direct garment printers and needless to say- they are extremely expensive compared to the sublimation printers I can buy... so I am definitely leaning towards sublimation but she mentioned to me something about the direct garments do better detailing than the other printers? To add to the confusion- I am not sure which type of printer you need to print on the heat applied vinyls? Sorry for all the questions- AGAIN... Tammy

I emailed Cobra but they have not responded yet. Can you tell me how to get the "forum" discount? Is that for joining a forum they have? I didn't see one linked on their website.

Thank you so much!

I'm struggling w/ weeding materials. It's taking way longer to weed the easyweed sometimes over others. I bought some generic vinyl from Sunie when I ordered my heat press just so I would have something to "play" with when it arrived. I have found easyweed as suggested on here is MUCH easier, but still has it's moments. On the clean cut blades, can someone link me to the right website? I have googled it and I come up with a place in the Waterloo Iowa? It looks like from postings you have to order thru them and not the UK. I hope they make one for the laserpoint II. Does anyone know if they don't - if I can use an SC blade or Laserpoint? Tammy

Thank you for the info. I think I will buy a pre-done cobra set up also. I figured I could always mix and use the transfers w/ the vinyl to.

Did you install the cobraink system yourself or did you buy the complete system from them? I see a brother all in one 11x17 that I thought might be great for my every day printing needs plus some shirts. I dont want to get away from the vinyl on shirts all together -and go to a printer- but want that as an option. Also- I read on another blog that they are saying if you don't use it (even pigment) ink in a ciss for a few days it clogs? Do you have problems with clogging ink on the pigment ciss? Tammy

Yes- that's exactly what I was asking- thank you so much for the response! So- in reading this my best bet would be to go with the JPSS transfers and pigment ink. I was worried about getting good color etc- but you seem to have good luck w/ them- so that helps ease my mind. I think the store bought from what I've read seem to look a little cheesy... and sublimation seems to be a bit expensive. Thanks again!

OK- you guys are going to think I'm crazy! I haven't bought a heat press yet- I've been still debating. I've now swung back to the 15x15 clamshell. I had totally decided on the SUNIE above that you had pasted in my previous posts & I've read so much about on these forums. Anyway- I was solicited by ProWorld on another site and they offer the 299 press which they say is better than the SUNIE and they offer a 50 off a 100 order and/or spend 299 and buy the press for another 99. The 50 off of 100 makes it comparable to the SUNIE in price- other than I had planned on ordering my vinyl from US Cutter. I have also read that the ProWorld Press had upgraded electronics but they offer a 1 year warranty but lifetime on the element. Does anyone have experience with ProWorld vs. Sunie? Like How are they to deal with? I tried contacting Sunie thru their EBAY team and they only responded to me 1x. But to be totally honest, I had run into this similar thing with US Cutter EBay team also- but I have had nothing but EXCELLENT service from US Cutter since. As always- thank you in advance for all your help! I'm hoping to actually place my order today/ tomorrow. I have a bunch of people wanting shirts and I've put off this order long enough Last but not least- how is ProWorld heat applied vinyl vs. Siser or Thermoflex? Is there any recent experience using any of their transfers including rhinestones? Tammy

I bought the Sunie and it arrived last night! I love it ! Thank you so much for all of the advice

I couldn't see buying a DTG printer either- I am more just doing this as a hobby- making a little extra cash doing something I think I'm going to love. There's no way - I'd see ever see a return on investment with one of those DTG's with the little bit that I would ever do. It's fascinating though. I hate to ask so many questions- but the more I google and read online the more confused I become as to the difference in appearance of transfers, vs. printed vinyls vs. sublimation and lastly vs. DTG. I want another option besides vinyl and I think after these postings I feel pretty good about buying an epson w/ the pignment ink. I think that sounds better than the sublimation for now? I guess I'm trying to get a feel if I do one or the other which would be better... Can I use the pigment inks on the vinyl transfers? Would there be any advantage of the printed vinyl over the transfers? Thanks again for all of your help. I'll check out that site.

I have a brother embroidery machine and needed PES files. I'm not an expert, but I ran into a similar issue. If you search google they have "trial" programs you can download to do this (free). I had one of the programs at one point and it works. I had to play with a couple of different programs to get one I liked that was easy to use. I don't have the program anymore or I'd tell you which one it was. I had to import the file into inkscape and convert it to the file format that would be accepted by the program (each one accepted different inputs) and then import into the program I downloaded. Sorry for the lengthy explanation. Tammy

Thank you for all of the info. This is a huge help! So- you have a transfer printer and sublimation printer? It sounds like the transfers go over better? Can you post a couple of pics of the transfers so I can see how these take? I'm having issues trying to visualize the difference. Do they look like the direct to garment? I don't want to spend the kind of cash on that type of printer but her work sure looked cool! I received my press last night and tried a couple of samples. I was also surprised at how easy the vinyl is to weed vs. the non-heat applied. I struggle weeding the non heat applied and was dreading struggling with the heat applied stuff and much relieved when it was pretty easy. I have more vinyl coming over the next couple of days and need to order some shirts. Thanks again- Tammy

I have some demand for dri-fit type shirts. I see where Thermo-flex offers a vinyl that states you can use it with this type of product, but to use alcohol to rub the shirt down first and then let it dry. Is that the same for siser - has anyone used siser on these types of materials and which grade would I use? I have read that siser is easier to weed and I will have some small details so the easier the better... But- I also want the best product for long term use. Tammy

Thank you for the feedback. I think the Sunie you linked to my last posting- has the center pressure as well? I really was leaning towards it and then started looking more into the ProWorld one. Some of the old posts on the ProWorld one said it's the same basic machine ad the Sunie with some kind of an update. I would probably do the $299 deal with the $50 coupon off. It is a minor cost really and I'm driving myself crazy. What heat treat vinyl do you recommend?