What next?

[Dave271069]

Been doing mugs now for just over a month, got the hang of most things and not make many mistake unlike my first box of mugs, I started this with the intention of eventually turning it into a viable business. I have kept all the accounts from day one and am now building a web site. I bought a mug press from coralgraph but I want to now move up a gear, should I purchase a flatbed press or one of them all in ones ? What's your thoughts, should I move on to tee shirts etc or items like phone covers and iPad covers, I also like the idea of baby items like bibs and baby grows .
What did you progress from and to?

[Justin]

I started out with the normal heat press, mouse mats, coasters and so on. I never did mugs in the early days but now 95% of my work is done through the mug press. Certainly worth a go with the iPhone covers etc.

Maybe also consider a vinyl cutter for t-shirts/transfers etc?

[Dave271069]

Was just reading a little about vinyl cutters but it's unfamiliar territory. But then again so was sublimation. How does vinyl cutting/transfers work? Is it much difference from sub tee shirts

[Justin]

Basically a plotter but the pen is substituted for a small cutting blade. You can cut the outline of text/shapes etc. to go onto t-shirts. You can also print transfers on your printer and use the cutter to cut around the design but this is usually done with an optical eye (Roland, Graphtec, more expensive cutters etc.)

Very easy to do and some great effects, Xpres have a great page showing some of their products here http://www.xpres.co.uk/c-52-textile-tra ... ology.aspx Other suppliers are (of course) available!

[bigj2552]

Basically a plotter but the pen is substituted for a small cutting blade. You can cut the outline of text/shapes etc. to go onto t-shirts. You can also print transfers on your printer and use the cutter to cut around the design but this is usually done with an optical eye (Roland, Graphtec, more expensive cutters etc.)

Very easy to do and some great effects, Xpres have a great page showing some of their products here http://www.xpres.co.uk/c-52-textile-tra ... ology.aspx Other suppliers are (of course) available!

thought the silhouette cameo had an optical eye ?

advertised as having one justin !

[Justin]

Could well do then, the Silhouette is not something I've looked at before

[bigj2552]

Could well do then, the Silhouette is not something I've looked at before

from one supplier site -

Optical Eye
"The Silhouette Cameo has an Optical Eye so it can read printer registration marks. This means you can print a graphic from any printer, insert the print out into your Cameo and then cut any shape, allowing you to create bespoke shaped labels"

[logobear]

what is your route to market? - go for the next BIG bite you can see! - (and tell me what it is ....)

[bms]

from one supplier site -

Optical Eye
"The Silhouette Cameo has an Optical Eye so it can read printer registration marks. This means you can print a graphic from any printer, insert the print out into your Cameo and then cut any shape, allowing you to create bespoke shaped labels"

Yes the Cameo does have the optical eye and with a 300mm cutting width is it really good value for money. The sheets we supply for this are 300 x 500mm (flex/flock) and vinyl is 300 x 600mm (cars, windows, not garments).