Dammit completely missed this thread prior to the show, been very busy working (am solely a vinyl/transfer garment printer atm) and i went with the idea i would like to get into embroidery (i have an option on a cheap-ish 16 head machine for £500 which i have been seriously considering, however it seems the comapny who sell them have some very dubious reviews on a couple of forums and have changed their name recently, and after talking with them at the show, i wasnt exactly impressed enough to part with a chunk of my childrens hard earned inheritance - as theo would say.)
So after being scared witless by the cost and apprent complexity of the embroidery machines (and some of the local servicing costs!) i actually came away thinking it was time to look at sublimation properly, as itimpressed me more than the embroidery did, especially when you factor in the cost, some of the laptop bags, mugs, shirts and phone covers were very good!
I apologise now as we were one family who took the kids to the show, my daughter had been the mascot at Manchester City on the Saturday, so we spent Sat night near Blackpool before stopping into the NEC on the way home to the south coast, i tried locking them in the car but the buggers kept unlocking the doors and following me :p
they certainly had a laugh getting as many sweets as possible, but hats off to the pro's who turned up with pull along suitcases to cram everything in, that takes some neck to load up on freebies, go back to the car, empty it out and go round again for more... hardcore that is.
I did try and attract the attention of the Xpres representative i had previously fallen out with, so i could tell him who we spent our money in the end and why it wasn't with him, but sadly he kept breaking eye contact and avoiding me.
I liked the laser etching machine, but as someone else mentioned 45k was a bit steep, and the chances are something will come along from china for half the money, then half again etc so that sounded far to much like bleeding edge rather than cutting edge to me.
I did have a really nice chat on a sub stand that had some very decent priced start up kits (mug press, ricoh printer, t-shirt printer) as well as the usual mugs and more interestingly iphone covers, which i was getting seriously switched onto, but we had to leave to head back to the south, and once the brochures and cards went in the boot i now can't remember which damn company it was
if they were slightly more aggressive and keen i would have bought the damn thing at the time, sadly they let me walk and think about it, now i cant remember who it was hahahahaha anyone got any ideas?
Would be good to meet up with any of you going again next year, although i suspect the trip may need to coincide with another trip to a football match again to make it a viable drive from Brighton.
. Will give plenty of notice when I have arrangements in place.