DSF

Have you looked into importing from China yourself? I did this a few years back, pretty painless and a good price.

but are chinese presses any good?

Budget you're working on you'll be hard pushed to find anything that isn't Chinese! Most are fine, the one I bought was an auto release, cost me just over £200 including shipping to UK. It worked a treat. of course you take your chances and support is difficult but you'll not be sending a faulty one backwards and forwards to the UK very often

I have a 26 year old Adkins press - one of the big ones as I print a lot of A3 transfers. Never replaced anything on it or spent a penny on it from the day I bought it new. Absolutely fantastic machine. A year ago I was offered one that was about 6 years old, been used twice and looked like the day it was taken out of its box. It was absolutely pristine. The only difference in design was it had a digital timer opposed to manual. Everything else about it was the same. It does exactly what it was designed for and brilliantly. I guess what I am trying to say is that another alternative to a new chinese import is a reliable second hand machine (Adkins/Xpres?Magic Touch). I also don't like clam shell presses. I like the swing aways as I find it easier to place transfers without having to work under a great big hot platten! I often print 4 bags at a time and just find placement so much easier with no restrictions.

Also be mindful or warranties etc. I'm currently looking for a mug press and have been horrified that a couple of sellers offer no guarantee or warranty - shows me a lack of confidence in their product!

Good luck and I hope you find a press

thanks for the help. should you be able to find a good mug press please let me know. thanks