Looking for a new press.

[Nessie's]

So my sublimation journey is going slower than expected and all my trials are bad or worse. It turns out the the press i got, doesn't close properly(evenly) and the image was not transferring evenly.
So in stead of rushing in and just buying another one or the next best deal, i thought i would get other peoples opinion. All i will be sublimating is photos/pictures on to slate for now.

So what is best? swing away, clam shell or automatic? My price ranges is anything less than a £1000, but if everyone is suggesting the same one just over that price mark, i am happy in invest. Any recommendations appreciated. Is one with a pressure sensor worth it, or an expensive gimic?

Thanks in advance

[GoldRapt]

hi Nessie and welcome.

Im in the same boat almost, I have a swing away beginners heat press and know I am going to have to get one thats capable of more robust use. Looking at you tube vids, a clam style with a automatic opener and a bed that rolls out from the heated platten sounds a good idea. Some apparently come with exchangeable bottom plattens to swap between say a t shirt and a cap press (for example). From research on here, I thinka pressmech is the way I will go but hopefully one of the reulars with far more experience than I will jump in and expalin wahst what.

Good Luck.
tony

[pcwizme]

So personally I would always say a swing away is the way forward for smaller jobs. You dont need automatic opening its a bit pointless as your going to be next to it when the timing is up as you will want to re-load potentially any way. Unless you are doing 100's of t shirt and other items interchangeable platterns seems pointless to me, I do t-shirts, metal prints, mdf and glass coasters etc all in the same machine. Mugs go in the oven.

[GoldRapt]

So personally I would always say a swing away is the way forward for smaller jobs. You dont need automatic opening its a bit pointless as your going to be next to it when the timing is up as you will want to re-load potentially any way. Unless you are doing 100's of t shirt and other items interchangeable platterns seems pointless to me, I do t-shirts, metal prints, mdf and glass coasters etc all in the same machine. Mugs go in the oven.

You don't say what machine, would you mind sharing the detail so I can check out prices please?

[Nessie's]

Good morning. Yes, what I have been reading online also suggest a swing away. Then you watch loads of videos online like I have, and most people are using a clam shell. I will be happy as long as the press gives me a nice even spread and consistent pressure. Can anyone share their experiences with a reliable brand and press? I am happy to research any suggestion.

[Justin]

Pressmech by far the best press we've ever had. Sometimes you can get them second hand, there was one for sale recently, I'll see if I can still find it. Otherwise I'd look for an older Adkins. The older machines are beige colour top and bottom, newer machines are grey on the platen.
The beige ones were built in UK. Later models were assembled here bit sources from China. They're still ok but not as good as earlier models.

Personally I wouldn't bother with any gimmicks, better to spend the money on a good quality reliable press.

[socialgiraffe]

If you are only going to do slates then I would opt for a vacuum press.

with a vacuum press you get a far superior finish as you are able to print on the white "rough" edges that a flat press can not do. Trust me, once you have seen this you will realise how much better they look.

However, vacuum presses are not made that well. When I got mine I rewired it and generally just made it a better. Machine is probably 10 years old now and still works a treat. THey retail at around £500-600 new (from Signzworld) and its probably worth getting new unless you are confident on rewiring etc.

If you do go down this route, make sure you get at least one spare membrane from China ASAP, they do split from time to time and no one in the UK stocks them.

[Nessie's]

Thanks for all the pointers.

[Nessie's]

This is the advice i was looking for! I didn't know much about these presses but after doing some research and watching numerous videos on slate, i think this is exactly what i am looking for. Thanks social.

[pw66]

Plus one for Pressmech.
The 40x50cm press is available (unbranded) from Nova Chrome for slightly more than your budget or they are pretty much bullet proof if bought used. More importantly they can be refurbished if needed.

Very versatile press suitable for garments and thick flat stock.