Best Printer + everything else!

[Kayalana]

Hiya, I couldn't seem to find the best place to put this so apologies if I have missed it.

I want to start making mugs (other products to come later) but I'm really scared of spending money only to find it doesn't work! I am a 100% quality person and I don't want to sell anything that someone could find fault with.

So I wanted opinions. First I was looking at Epson 1500 this is expensive is it worth getting this?

If I manage to find a 2nd hand printer is their any reason why I should buy new?

(Sorry am I allowed to post links? Epson 1500 i've been looking at http://www.coralgraph.com/printers/epso ... ink-system it has visi sub ink system I think maj of use CISS anyone know difference? Is it supposed to be better or stay clear? lol Can anyone kind of tidy up what CISS actually means and how it works? )

Any recommendations on what mug press to get? I am interested in the 3D but for now its out of price range but I would rather save up and get the right equipment first time round. (I do want* to get as close to edge as poss)

Is their anything else I might need?

Sub Printer + Visisub / CISS
Sub Paper (visi jet ok? )
Computer/Photoshop
Heat sellotape
Mugs
Heat Gloves
Machine itself

[spongerobinson]

With regards to the A3 printer, it might be worth thinking about whether or not you really need A3. If it's mainly mugs, and then potentially smaller items in the future, A4 will do you just fine.

I can highly recommend the Adkins mug presses, although they are expensive for starting out, and many people here get perfectly good results from much cheaper alternatives which I'm sure they'll be able to recommend.

[arko]

Just wanted to say, Im loving your website!.... so much to see and well thought out! Are they your own designs (the creatures/boez) ?... How do you pronounce boez... is it like bows or boys? Brill!

[spongerobinson]

Just wanted to say, Im loving your website!.... so much to see and well thought out! Are they your own designs (the creatures/boez) ?... How do you pronounce boez... is it like bows or boys? Brill!

Thanks Arko!! That's a lovely message to get of a Friday morning!

Yes the designs are our own; well, my partner does the character/design/whacky side, and I am more the technical side! And yes, boez as in bows...we get asked that alot!!

[NikGrey]

CISS is Continuous Ink Supply System.

It's just large, remote containers filled with ink connected to your print heads via 4 small tubes. It allows you to see ink levels and fill the tanks easily. because they are large tanks you dont have to re-fill as often.

In my experience these are more trouble than they are worth. I used to use them years ago with Epson printers and they were bad then - I recently had another setup like this but sold it quickly and bought a Ricoh.

[Kayalana]

Thanks Arko!! That's a lovely message to get of a Friday morning!

Yes the designs are our own; well, my partner does the character/design/whacky side, and I am more the technical side! And yes, boez as in bows...we get asked that alot!!

You really need to do some kind of cute teddy...or make it into a cartoon.

[Kayalana]

Tar, does this mean CISS is just basicly an extension so it would work without it?

I would like to print photo quality...I don't need an A3 printer yet but I might down line. Sounds like Ricoh is the way to go (I think i saw on another thread) as Epsons are abit more trouble some...but Ricoh doesn't have the same quality...but I don't want it to break down on me...

AUGH!

[cybalokz]

Im just starting out myself ,planning doin cases, mugs, etc.... just got my Ricoh SG3110DN this morning, considered a3 version but i will not be needing at as yet. From everything ive read heard Ricoh, are easier to deal with, minimal maintenance , help and support from sawgrass & they take over the warranty. Unless you got a keen eye i dont think there is too much difference with print quality, most people say epson slighty wins on the count. thats my 2p worth.

[spongerobinson]

You really need to do some kind of cute teddy...or make it into a cartoon.

Thanks Kayalana! We have alot of ideas in the pipeline, it's just difficult to know how to execute some of them properly!

[NikGrey]

Just looking at your site Sponge - I don't suppose you ever bought my 'Kids Coluring Book' Software did you - this reminds me of that