DSF

You're looking at the right level of printer, but the problem with that model is that it used light light black ink, for which there isn't many available options for sublimation ink. Ours are 7 colours (cyan, magenta, yellow, black, light cyan, light magenta, and light black) previous to that we were using a similar 4 colour model (cmyk) and noticed a marked improvement when we upgraded.

Are you saying the only real option is the sublijet inks for epson. I'm looking to buy what I need for this project but want to buy the right gear for the job. I'm not looking at doing 1000's a week but want to produce a decent quantity.

No, what I am saying that as long as you avoid printers which use light light black, then there's a good amount of sublimation ink manufacturers, including: BASF, Huntsman (formerly Ciba Specialty Chemical), Inktec, J-Teck, Kiian Group, Kiwa Chemical Industry Co., Mimaki Engineering Company, Nazdar, Sensient Technologies and Seiko Epson. I am sure as more printers come out needing the LLK that more choice of ink will become available, but for the moment it is hard to find.

Also, Sublijet is one of Sawgrass' consumer brands. If you're set on staying with Sawgrass, then look at their industrial ink brand - Sublim.

The inks in the 7890 (24" printer) and the 9890 (44" printer) are called the SubliJetIQ Pro Photo and come in 350ml cartridges at £80 +vat so the costs per print are significantly cheaper than the A4 or A3 range, but you do pay for it in the cost of the printer and the space it takes up

bms;83192 wrote:The inks in the 7890 (24" printer) and the 9890 (44" printer) are called the SubliJetIQ Pro Photo and come in 350ml cartridges at £80 +vat so the costs per print are significantly cheaper than the A4 or A3 range, but you do pay for it in the cost of the printer and the space it takes up

For around that price though, you could also get a litre of ink from one of the other ink manufacturers I listed. Obviously you have the initial outlay for the refillable cartridge system top of that. I think you can get Sawgrass Sublim litres for around that price too.

Photomouse;83183 wrote:Are you saying the only real option is the sublijet inks for epson. I'm looking to buy what I need for this project but want to buy the right gear for the job. I'm not looking at doing 1000's a week but want to produce a decent quantity.

Also, remember that you'll need a big enough heat press to go along with the printer, along with the space to fit them, and the electric to power the press. I would definitely recommend a rotary press if you're looking to do fabric work.

Could you recommend a rotary press and what they cost? Do they run off 3 phase electric?

We use a HeatJet 43, an old model now, but still working fine. Runs off single phase, and is less than 3000Watts, so can run off a standard 13 amp socket. Not sure on newer, more current models, but I think this one was around £10K new and that was a few years back. company we bought it off, got it from RA Smart as an ex-demo model. RA Smart still happy to support us over the phone and supply parts if we need them.

I've been struggling to find a secondhand rotary press, is there any other options I could buy to get me started?

what is a standard size cushion or the most popular size cushion sold in the UK?

thanks