Is the Ricoh SG7100DN starter package for me ?

[doeflax]

Hi guys, am toying with the idea of kicking off with this printer package. Any useful tips, do's and dont's etc ?
I am interested in A3 size stuff, and, wait for it . . . . . . . . . . White on Dark T-Shirts *
Any comments ? Please understand you'll be talking to a "virgin sublimation member" so gently gently please lol !

[Justin]

I've recently bought the 7100 having always used Epson. It's a very good printer and a great/clean solution. Check out Listawood, if you join the forum as a DSF member you get 10% off everything with them. Also check out BMS as they have this printer at a great price right now.

You can't sublimate white onto dark so don't buy it for that! Vinyl/DTG/Laser Transfer etc. are your choices there.

[doeflax]

Thankyou Justin. More research for me I think.

[cheersalotthankyou]

we've used both epson and ricoh and can say that you can get good quality from both but ricoh as a product will last longer and not cause as many if any problems atall as long as you maintain the machine regularly. I know you weren't asking for a comparison but all helps I guess.

[pisquee]

In sublimation land, the only way to do white on dark designs, is to start with a white t-shirt and print the whole shirt black with you colours/white design included. For this you obviously need a bigger printer than A3, and will be moving back to Epson. You will also need a press that is bigger than the t-shirts you want to print. Ideally you'd want to print up the fabric before it is made into the t-shirts, if you want to print to be perfect, but it can be done with OK results printing to a ready made garment.

[doeflax]

Thanx pisquee, sounds like much more work, and much more ink to me ! I may need to re-think what my capabilities are ! Appreciate you taking time out to put me straight

[socialgiraffe]

Hi Doeflax

When you say "sublimation" is it this particular process you are after, or is it the ability to print on to dark garments?

Pisquee is right if you are hell bent on sublimation for your garments, but remember sublimation garments are not as nice (by a country mile) as the more standard feel of cotton garments. If you want to do cotton garments then it is back to the OKI White or Print and Cut choices.

[doeflax]

socialgiraffe, I LUV the look of the OKI. Decided against the A3 (partly due to cost, and partly due to the sensible comments from you guys on this forum). I don't want to splash that sort of cash, only to battle registration probs and anything else that Murphy's Law is likely to throw at me. All the while I am trying to simplify my needs. A good printer, equally good heat press, and a process that's going to offer up decent quality results. You've probably already deduced I'm not conversant with many of the processes out there . . . . . . . . that's why I'm here lol. I still like the capabilities of producing gorgeous white print on dark shirts, but then, I'm really throwing it out there, and if members feel they can help or advise, and conclude that, for a small one-man-band it's probably too much "pie in the sky" stuff, then I'm happy to take that on board too. I read every post, and am gleaning lots & lots of interesting stuff, nothing is wasted as they say ! socialgiraffe, I am really interested in your postings as I seem to be in love with the OKi system ! Even though I've had to climb down from my A3 cloud !!