New to all this - help me chose the right printer :)

[themav]

http://www.epson.co.uk/gb/en/viewcon/co ... rview/8416

this has 11 colours ... Is that the next level from 7 colours or does it get to a point where you can't tell that much of a difference between printers that are £700 and ones at 2k

[themav]

http://www.epson.co.uk/gb/en/viewcon/co ... rview/3642

[socialgiraffe]

Hi Mav

I do not think you will ever get Pisquee to recommend a printer for Sawgrass inks (you can do a search for his posts if you need to know more).

Personally, for phone covers, I do not think a 6 or 7 colour printer is necessary. I doubt if there are going to be many (if any) of your customers that will notice any difference (assuming that your customers are not photographers or colour specialists).

Don't forget that it will be far better to simply colour correct the file in Photoshop before printing than to rely on the printer to solve any issues with colour. Its a bit like your first post mentioning the Roland UV LEF. That particular machine is superb and there are so many things it can do. However it is overkill and not needed just for phone covers, it will take years (if ever) for you to recoup your money on something like that. Its the same with a wide format machine, in my opinion overkill for the phone market. You are far better off to purchase a Ricoh, a good quality heat press and a decent 3d machine. Once you have been running the business for a few months you may want to expand into other areas or bigger things. Only then would I personally suggest looking at a wide format as the cost of running a wide format are a lot higher than a small desktop (taking maintenance contracts, space, wastage of materials and cost into consideration).

Also, just to clarify. Sawgrass hold the patent on dye sub inks. They have licensed third parties to manufacture their own ink but ONLY for wide format machines (I think this is 24" and above but might be 17" and above). Some of the third party inks are very good and just as good as Sawgrass, some might argue better. However third party inks are strictly for wide format machines, if you purchase third party for a small desktop then the seller is effectively breaking the license. You can also find a host of refillable inks on the likes of ebay. Beware of these unbranded inks. They are likely to be inconsistent and poor quality. Saving a few quid on the ink will cost you dear down the road at some point.

[themav]

@socialgiraffe - thanks for that info - I am trying to read as many threads as possible on this forum especially all the newbie ones of past months!

what are my options when choosing a 3d machine - I take it you are talking about a vacuum? - do you know the best ones around at the minute?

[socialgiraffe]

Sorry, I know very little about 3D machines.

BMS sell them and i think there is actually a company in the UK that manufactures them. Who they are and whether they are better than imports or not is something I can not comment on.

One thing I have noticed is that you really want one that operates using the dye sub film. Looking at You Tube the paper based machines seem to be a bit of a faff when wrapping.

[themav]

Hi guys,

I'm still here! I have been reading the forum and a couple of other forums. I am about to pull the trigger and dive in ... i'm actually annoying myself now, over research!

In terms of the press is this one an adkins? I know I shouldn't be spending silly money on equipment to begin with but the press is always the one item I read most about investing a bit more. Is this press overkill for printing just phone case? Is it flexible enough for me to say in 6 months time start printing t-shirts or jumpers or should I consider a swing away press now to give me options in the future to print on other items??

http://www.xpres.co.uk/p-8246-studio-au ... .aspx?p=55

[pisquee]

www.aadkins.com to check out Adkins presses.

[themav]

Is the xpres one not an adkins but re-badged with their logo?

[socialgiraffe]

Hi Mav

A swing away or clam will be able to print tee's etc. Most choose a machine based on the space they have as a swing away needs a lot more room.

The Xpres one certainly looks like a Adkins press. I know they used to sell Adkins but can not comment on if this one is an Adkins. You can always ring Xpres and they will tell you. The Magic Touch also sell Adkins.

[themav]

Dear Greg

Yes, that’s correct. Both companies distribute our machines under their own brand.

Kind Regards
Marie McMahon (General Manager)

A. Adkins & Sons Limited