Dye Sub Virgin!

[wilde-one]

A quick hello from the newest newbie I am in the process of starting an online business specialising in Gifts, with plans to slowly introduce personalised gifts. I am considering all the usual (clothing, bags, mugs, etc; progressing to engraving later down the road). I am considering a Oki Pro8432 WT as it seems to be very versatile, together with a Swing Head Deep Impact Press plus mug press as a starting point. Although I like the results you get from Sawgrass Virtuoso I believe the Oki will give me more options at the start of the business - perhaps someone disagrees? I am open to suggestions..... Also, I have been advised that Corel Draw will be the best software to use and version X6/7/8 will fulfill my needs for basic designing. Again, open to suggestions. Perhaps this is a good time to point out that I have no experience of actual designing or sublimation :redface: however, I do have extensive business experience and have worked in Signs and Graphics for a number of years. I will apologise now for the questions that I will be bombarding you with over the course of the next few months!!

[webtrekker]

I am considering all the usual (clothing, bags, mugs, etc; progressing to engraving later down the road).

You'll not be able to sublimate mugs with an OKI laser printer. It's not a sublimation printer. :frown:

CorelDraw, Photoshop, Illustrator, even the free Gimp will do for designing.

With no experience of designing or sublimation (or maybe any type of transfer methods) you will find it a huge struggle to get started. The software alone presents a huge learning curve. However, you are doing the right thing and researching your options before laying out good money on expensive equipment that's not up to the task you first envisioned.

[Justin]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Everything you wanted to know and never dared ask is all here for you already

Before you spend take a look at our £10 membership scheme which will give you some good discounts.

Best of luck with your new venture!

Justin
DSF Admin

[JMugs]

This forum is responsible for me drinking vast amounts of coffee whilst I search for the answer to questions, then the answer to questions that I didn't know I needed answers for! A massive store of information at your finger tips. It has been brilliant and the membership cost saves me a fortune on supplier discounts.

Welcome and have fun.

Janners

[wilde-one]

No - the Oki isn't sublimation but with the right transfer paper you can decorate mugs with it ........ but I do prefer the glossy finish you can achieve with Sublimation ...... hence considering the Sawgrass too.

No ...... no design experience what-so-ever!!! But I like a challenge and I do have some friends who do have experience and are willing to help (although I'm not sure if they quite know what they've let themselves in for!). I've got to knock up an E-commerce website yet and I'm not a web designer either ........ wish me luck.

(P.S. Research is my middle name:biggrin:)

[raydavies]

I think you'll find the laser transfers are the type that "float" on and you position by hand. They are not dishwasher proof.

[webtrekker]

Don't get me wrong, I really admire your enthusiasm, especially if you've had no prior experience in any of this, but be aware that equipment, software, and blanks can cost a considerable chunk of money, most of which you'll never get back if you decide that dyesub is not for you after all and try to sell it on.

Add to that the hugely competetive market you will be selling in and things suddenly don't seem so appealing.

Before shelling out any money on equipment or other items you really, and I mean REALLY, need to gen up on all the different transfer methods that apply to the products you intend to make. Don't be afraid to ask suppliers for samples. Also, when considering which blanks to buy, don't necessarily go for the cheapest, which may have very poor coatings and other defects which will waste a lot of time, effort, and money.

We all want to get started on a new venture as soon as possible, but don't be too hasty is all I'm saying.

To echo what Justin posted above, pay the tenner and become a Premium member in here. You'll probably find you'll be using some of the companies that support the 10% discount and it can be a huge saving, especially if you are new and can get discount on equipment too.

Best of luck.

[Justin]

I'd recommend visiting a couple of companies. I appreciate (more than most!) your location.

Xpres (M1 J24) next to East Mids Airport, have a first class demo suite and can talk you through a lot of machinery/print methods. Magic Touch, a little nearer to you....again, well worth a visit if you're looking at the Oki solution.

Might just be worth spending a couple of days away checking all of this out. Normally we'd suggest you visit the only show specifically for this industry, P&P at Birmingham, but this is once a year at the end of January so you've missed this year.

[wilde-one]

I'd recommend visiting a couple of companies.

Thanks Justin - as you rightly say, I am not in the best location! I visited Magic Touch earlier this week (that was a long drive) and had already spoken to them previously. I managed to get to P&P in January and found it very useful. I am planning to go to Sign & Digital at the end of the month as there are a few people there I want to visit, including Listawood and Novachrome, and some old acquaintances I want to catch up with. I'm also attending various workshops locally to take care of the marketing side of the business - I'm very aware that 'bricks and morter' and 'Ecommerce' are totally different kettle of fish. I have also found a great Business Forum to refer to. I successfully ran a Signs and Graphics business for three years (again totally green!) - my big mistake was going into business with someone! To cut a very long story short I sucessfully sold my shares in the business and have spent over 12 months investigating several other business opportunities. I am also taking my time as I now have a 'dodgy back with a rather grumpy disc' which I need to keep a close eye on and make sure I don't take on more than I can chew!

I will certainly be investing £10 in premium membership.

May I ask what equipment you use? I see you also do embroidery - what machines do you use?

[bms]

Thanks Justin - as you rightly say, I am not in the best location! I visited Magic Touch earlier this week (that was a long drive) and had already spoken to them previously. I managed to get to P&P in January and found it very useful. I am planning to go to Sign & Digital at the end of the month as there are a few people there I want to visit, including Listawood and Novachrome, and some old acquaintances I want to catch up with. I'm also attending various workshops locally to take care of the marketing side of the business - I'm very aware that 'bricks and morter' and 'Ecommerce' are totally different kettle of fish. I have also found a great Business Forum to refer to. I successfully ran a Signs and Graphics business for three years (again totally green!) - my big mistake was going into business with someone! To cut a very long story short I sucessfully sold my shares in the business and have spent over 12 months investigating several other business opportunities. I am also taking my time as I now have a 'dodgy back with a rather grumpy disc' which I need to keep a close eye on and make sure I don't take on more than I can chew!

I will certainly be investing £10 in premium membership.

May I ask what equipment you use? I see you also do embroidery - what machines do you use?

You should also pop in and see Graham at The Transfer Press. They are based close to you (probably less than 10 miles). They have a huge range and right on your doorstep.