Hi from Wiltshire

[Samstables]

My partner is an artist (pastels mostly) and does his own printing from his studio on an Epson R8000. After a few trials of other products printed with his artwork selling quite successfully, I decided to set up a small business to be his printed goods supplier!

So far I have bought an Epson 1500w and a 3D sublimation press after several hours of reading up on what's available within a reasonable budget. I like the variety of products available using a 3d press, plus they seem to take up less space than the flat presses.

I was aiming to initially limit products to coasters, placemats and chopping boards but already got too tempted and bought a wide variety of items to print to!

Just waiting for my ink and refillable cartridges to arrive...

[UK Printed Mugs]

Welcome! A couple of posts recently made reference to a 3D press which has got me totally confused. Are you talking about a 3D mini vacuum? How do you do coasters in this out of interest? We use to have a mini vacuum unit which was great for small runs of mugs and phone covers but not when you want to press 50 or 100 coasters. Just asking out of interest. Kind regards, Olly.

[Justin]

Hello and welcome to the forum

Justin
DSF Admin

[Samstables]

Hi Olly
yes, it's a vacuum unit - I just typed what the box says! The one I have (ST-3042) is the type that looks like a giant cheese toasty maker/ printer so has a large area (A3?) that can be "pressed". There is a large flat plate and a silicon membrane that creates the vacuum seal. This is a different design to the ones with the pull-out draw. I haven't had a chance to check but I think you can press about 12 coasters at a time (12 mugs fit in it at once). Looking forward to playing with it next week.

[UK Printed Mugs]

Ha Ha "giant cheese toasty maker" - I know the one you mean. We haven't used one of those before. I'm not sure we would buy for coasters (as can press 8 per minute currently) but would be interested to know how long it takes to do 12 mugs (presume edge to edge?). Thanks, Olly.

[ISub-Sarah]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

Kind regards

Sarah

[ArferMo]

You are lucky having a ready supply of original artwork.

[Samstables]

You are lucky having a ready supply of original artwork.

I know! and he does very different styles so always something that suits someone Not sure if I'm allowed to post his website on here or not... so I've decided not to until I'm sure

[DyeSubSupplies]

Hi , Good luck with it all and welcome, if we Can be any help with anything sub related please feel free to get in touch. also does your partner use stretcher bars as we could help him with them as well.
steve

www.dyesublimationsupplies.co.uk
www.canvasandstretcherbars.co.uk

[Samstables]

Thanks for the warm welcome, folks! I had a lot of deliveries alreqady this week, but now just waiting for ink which is hopefully coming tomorrow...

I did come across www.canvasandstretcherbars.co.uk via eBay recently. We have had some of his work printed to canvas but not done it ourselves yet, athough his printer is more than capable. Will definitely be in touch when we're ready!