Newbie help

[PlonkaGames]

Hi

I'm new to sublimation printing and want to print iPhone, iPod & iPad covers to start with.

I've been offered a Ricoh A4 SG3110DN printer and would like to know if this is a good starting printer andif it will be good for what I want to print.

I'd appreciate your thoughts on the printer and suggestions as to the equipment to use with it.

Cheers
Frank

[Justin]

Pretty much the best printer you could be stating off with, find out how old it is and the ink levels, where it was bought from and if it's still under any warranty as support is invaluable.

[PlonkaGames]

Thanks for the reply, Justin.

Just been told he's selling the printer and the Cadet Swing Heat Press which he bought together as a kit from Megauk recently.

I know him well and I know he needs the cash quickly.

Would these be ok for phone and tablet covers ?

He doesn't have any other items for sale, but before I accept, I wondered what else I'd need to buy before I could be printing ? Being new, I don't want to get caught out.

Thanks again
Frank

[spongerobinson]

assuming the printer is in working order, and with inks, the only extra stuff you should need are good sublimation paper, and the phone/tablet cases themselves. oh and a computer with some form of image editing software to produce your designs!

[pisquee]

Does the printer have the sublimation inks in it already?
Are the inks in it Sawgrass?

[PlonkaGames]

Does the printer have the sublimation inks in it already?
Are the inks in it Sawgrass?

Hi pisquee

will check re the inks.

Excuse the the question but do I want the Sawgrass inks ?

Thanks
Frank

[NikGrey]

If it was a recent purchase, as a sublimation printer - with Sawgrass inks you will have a warranty (assuming any warranty is transferable). Then you do want the Sawgrass inks.
I have never heard of anyone using anything else in these printers, although Im sure its possible.

I love your username - 'Plonker' is a word I use quite often

[pisquee]

Then you do want the Sawgrass inks.
I have never heard of anyone using anything else in these printers, although Im sure its possible.

I tried using standard (designed for standard Epson/Brother type inkjet) sublimation inks in a Ricoh printer as an experiment to see if the inks were actually different or just a marketing ploy, and they didn't print well enough to use - very streaky/blotchy. There are non-Sawgrass inks available made for the Ricohs (if you believe the advertising claims), but not readily available in the UK, so you're taking a risk on importing an unknown/unbranded ink which may or may not work.

[printgarments]

Yeah that's a great printer

[FutureProject]

I've seen refillable ink carts for the sg311dn and I know at about £200 for a set of visi-sub it is tempting, but it can't be worth skimping out, failures and cleaning / flushing the printer will soon add up to over the price of the good stuff.