A question about cheap presses

[NikGrey]

I bought a £360 5 in 1 press bundle, thought it was great until I needed to use it properly - found the main press was ok at first but quickly began to have very uneven temperatures - I tried a transfer and the transfer sheet distorted in such a way many people had never seen happen.

I still use the Hat Press from this bundle, and the Plate press which I have set up permanently for my Mug Base images. I used my Members discount to buy my Adkins from xPress and got an excellent deal - infact, I wrote to them again today to see what they can do on an Adkins Mug Press as the Mug attachment I got with the bundle is good enough for the odd mug but not anything serious - I will keep the cheap press for an emergency but would never go back to using it full time... ewwww.

They are expensive but an absolute joy to use, also as has been said a branded press will hold it's money. if I were starting again I would go for a second hand branded flat press - not waste money on a cheap bundle.

[JBDesign]

Thanks Nik, sounds like solid advice. I'll have a look at xPress.
cheers,
Jon

[mrs maggot]

i would also say - buy from a company, you are only about a 30 min drive from Magic Touch, you will not fault their back up, and general help, if you are looking at buying a good printer etc, BMS, also offer a great service, i have found Xpres less than helpful at times if you fancy a trip to Fakenham, visit Listawood, take along samples of the artwork you are hoping to produce, and let them show you their equipment it may be worth using someone local - avoid ebay like the plague

[Designandgift]

Great advice mrs maggot and nikgrey
as i am looking for my new heat press i was looking on ebay,
i think i will steer clear from ebay now after reading this
i dont have the budget for xpress
but i seeing a couple on bms that interest me

before i buy though i need to ask a question i cant find a good enough answer to i guess, i will post as new thread

[JBDesign]

Thanks Mrs Maggot, Good advice. Target are in Braintree which is about an hour away down the M11 from me so I am thinking of getting the Stahls but I'll have a look at Magic Touch. The Stahls is a nice colour though . Target don't seem to do printers.
I am having trouble finding more than a couple of suppliers for tile blanks, not a problem, but it would have been nice to have a thicker/higher quality tile option and maybe a 4"x4" option. Oh well.

Anyone know the max print size a ricoh gs3110dn can print. Is it borderless A4? I ask coz if it is, I could j-u-s-t fit an 8" tile design on A4. Otherwise it will be thin white border which is not always going to look good. or an A3 printer of course, but i can't afford that right now.

Is there a particular brand of paper that is best for ceramics?

Still not sure about the heat proof cloth. I shall watch some vids again and see if dye-sub-babe-of-the-month, Brittany uses one.
Jon

[mrs maggot]

JB - most of the questions you are asking are already answered in the forum - make a big cup of coffee, sit down, relax, breathe and read

[NikGrey]

Listawood in Fakenham ! Didn't know that - that's not far from me at all. will contact them now to see if I can pop down for a visit

[arthur.daley]

Listawood in Fakenham ! Didn't know that - that's not far from me at all. will contact them now to see if I can pop down for a visit

Hi Nik

I assumed you must know about Listawoods as they were just up the road from you!

Kris Trewick who fields sales enquiries and does some demos is a top man and has the patience of a saint! If you get a chance to do the factory tour its well worth it - mug printing on a grand scale!


Arthur

[JBDesign]

Well, took the plunge and bought the Stahls one. It will arrive tomorrow. Don't know when so I shall have to hang about til it turns up. Haven't couriers got phones? Can't they ring to let you know roughly when they will deliver? Irritating. Ordered a Ricoh 3110DN printer and stuff too. Not sure when that will turn up but I should be up and running in a few days I reckon. Then all I have to do is learn how to use it . .

[NikGrey]

I was thinking about the Stahls flat press - nice Blue LED and Pressure indicator but thought they were USA only ?


My missus lost her job because she had to get back here to wait for a delivery - I had to take my Father to Hospital and couldnt get out of it so couldnt be here myself.. I agree it is irritating waiting for things. Some have satellite tracking which is great and others give you no idea at all.

Let us know how you get on with the press.