finally ready to purchase

[Neilb78]

finally ready to purchase some equipment, to add to our existing embroidery business.
we are looking to do wall art, sublimation, t shirts with vinyl.

have about £1500 to spend have already got some prices off bms.

Going for Ricoh a4, heat press and mug press, just need to decide on which vinyl cutter, cant wait to get started

[NikGrey]

Since nobody has responded..

I bought a Liyu SC631e (With the laser, but if I was looking for One again in this price range I wouldn't bother with the laser as you can do without it) - I have been pleased with it overall (they are less than £300).

I also have a Cameo but if you want to do Wall Art then you will need a bigger machine like the Liyu - it takes 610mm rolls and I do cut to the edge although that's probably not the best way of doing things (I am careful with money you see..lol).. I tried Once to use 380mm rolls in it to save a few pennies but had tracking issues - with the 610mm roll widths tracking is not really a problem if you use the marks on the cutter to line everything up.

Also, another thing - buy the FlexiStarter with it as I tried to get around that but failed - you will be offered the 'Liyu' edition for £85 I think with the cutter but I found One for £65 I think on a popular auction site.

I just bought the Ricoh, should arrive tomorrow so I know I have a good printing system.

As for presses, I bought a Bundle - waiting for an IR thermometer so I can check to see if the platten heats at roughly the same rate but I have to say (Even though I took the presses into my workshop to adjust/tighten everything) they seem fine for what I have done so-far.. Can't say how long they will last though.

I'm new to this aswell, but learning at a consistent rate - enjoying the whole experience.

I would love to own a Versacamm (So I could print and cut on one machine), but at £10k that would take a bit of justifying at this stage.

[Neilb78]

thanks for reply Nik

yes I cant wait to get started, been reading up loads, lots of research, machine I would love is roland bn20 seems amazing for the cost, but will have to wait for that,

was looking at cameo but as you say to do wall art need a bigger one that will contour cut, just looking around as we speak.

How is your business going since you started.

[NikGrey]

I haven't officially opened as I have a software developer working on a couple of jobs (Indian chap) before I can open my website but tonight is the first time I find myself relaxing since I first put an image of some Honda Tank Decals on Facebook - this was probably Two weeks ago !

I have been doing all sorts, just sent off today a big job which was a 9 colour logo at 500x300mm.. that should have taken me a day but took almost a week - next time it will be faster

I wanted to start this business years ago when I was running another business and needed advertising made, inside of car window - domains.. simple things I was paying £30 for. but I was too busy woth that business at the time.

I actually started this time as I just restored a 1978 Honda C90 and need some Tank decals for that - I saw somebody advertising them on eBay for a ridiculous amount and decided I would make these myself eventually - I am a way off that yet though as I would need to be able to print White.. which I cant do yet, but will do one day.

When I do anything I throw myself in 100% and don't stop until I have mastered it - I'm lucky in a way as I don't have to do a 9-5 (Have other means) so can spend all of my time on a project.

I have some big orders coming in.. BUT I hadn't started the Sublimation side of things properly yet - I was perfecting the Vinyl side, tomorrow will be the start of the proper setting up of that as I have a few orders for Mugs before Christmas.

I started by trying to do that on the cheap, and failed.

This is a worthwhile thing I believe, and will probably be something that occupies my time for a long time to come.

I'm sure you will be ok as you must already have a customer base from your previous business?

[Neilb78]

that's great sound like you will be busy,
we started embroidery a year ago and it took off beyond what we could think, trouble is takes so long to do an item so we decided to add these extra items to the business some time ago,
finally ready now and the hope is to phase the embroidery out altogether if we can master this, we do have a quite a large customer base purely on baby items so this will cater for that
also open up other avenues,

what mug press are you using then

[NikGrey]

'Pixmax' Presses (These are re-branded - I am 100% sure of that).

BUT, after taking the time to make sure everything is properly aligned etc I am sure they will be fine (I have fixed the Mug press to a solid base too) - it's just a case of finding out where to get another Mug Mat as they can be wired differently apparently.

[purpledragon]

'Pixmax' Presses (These are re-branded - I am 100% sure of that).

BUT, after taking the time to make sure everything is properly aligned etc I am sure they will be fine (I have fixed the Mug press to a solid base too) - it's just a case of finding out where to get another Mug Mat as they can be wired differently apparently.

Nik mug blankets are a nightmare as theres no standardisation to the wireing differnt suppliers have differnt machines which are all wired differntly what a right royal pain in the butt!!! what you need to do is talk to the guys you bought the press off if they are reputable sellers they should have or can obtain the spare blankets
Brett