Taking the plunge into Heat Press world

[bamafan2277 50]

I have decided to take the plunge and get a heat press. I have a few questions though.

What is the recommended size?

What is a cheap but reliable press?

What else should I get? A.K.A tools etc.

I hear everyone recommends sisser for the vinyl so I will be using that. What kind of iron on transfers do you recommend for a laser printer?

My budget is around $400 right now.

Thanks in advance for any advise.

[Dakotagrafx 7,297]

Hands down for a cheap good press is Sunie - if you buy direct from their site you will get a 3 yr warranty.   The 15x15 has done everything I wanted so far but the general answer is as big as you can afford for later.  one consideration is the bigger the more power used also as 1 member found out when their kids were using it to press jeans and clothes!

[Guest Hugo Valencia]

also remember dont plug in the heat press in the same outlet as all your other electronics since it uses a lot of power.

[JLDesigns 1]

Just curious if you ever purchased the Sunie...also looking to enter the Heat Press World and am overwhelmed with options. 

[bamafan2277 50]

I went cheap for now and will be upgrading in a few months. I bought a Illumipress from Ebay. 15x15 for $200 and free shipping. It works real well and only about 7

[Guest sciondrgn]

I have had the Sunie 15x15 for close to 2 years now and still going strong.. Pressed 100 shirts just last week on it without slowing down. 

[Guest manwayvan]

Well I broke over and bought a Sunie Today. Free Shipping suckered me in...lol Hopefully I can get to pressing some stuff. Anybody recommend a place for cheap transfers?

[bamafan2277 50]

I get mine from Art Brands. They have fair prices. Your first order has to be $100 though. You can get a lot of decals for $100 especially if you shop in the clearance area.

If you want to order less I may be able to help out. I can order as little as $50 and I have a pricing discount since I've spent so much with them. Hit me up this evening if you see any that you like. www.artbrands.com

[Guest manwayvan]

Thanks bigfoot..Also on the topic of the contour setup I have been working on. It's not jogging right with signcut and I flexi gives me an error. So i am afraid that contour with pcut will be a no go..

[drakesis 1]

Also with the heat press and vinyl cutter you can do rhinestone motifs..... give me a shout sometime. I design rhinestones transfers that can be cut out of stencil board on the vinyl cutter.....

[Guest manwayvan]

Thanks everyone..I have been looking through some transfers at Pro World, Art Brand and Wild Side..How the hell you pick which ones to buy..lol I mean their are tons of different designs and I would like to start pumpin out shirts to sell but not sure which ones would be the best. Anybody got a top seller for tshirts?

[bamafan2277 50]

Look to target them to your market.

For me my main place im selling shirts at right now is at my friends restaurant that has a bar right next door. The ppl that go to the bar are Rednecks, Country Boys, Firefighters, and a few bikers. So that is what I targeted most of my transfers too. The firefighters like the shirts with the large images on the back and I make a maltese cross on the front that says Fire Dept. They sell for $15 each easily.

[Guest manwayvan]

Thanks bigfoot..I think we have the same market..lol There are a few craft fairs comin up soon so I think I will try to get stock piled on some supplies and hit it up

[bamafan2277 50]

Check the clearence area at Art Brands. 12 transfers for $6. There is a nice variety there. for the flea markets look for some religous, kids, funny, animal, redneck etc.