Hello all from the West Midlands

[dannyboy]

Hi all,

Here's a short introduction about myself. A year ago I started a photo engraving business after seeing it being done abroad at Christmas. This past year i've done really well with it but I now want to expand and i've been reading up lots about Sublimation, and I think it would go hand in hand with my photo engraving business.

I've recently just come back from abroad again and there was someone selling aluminium license plates/room signs with photo's on and they were selling really well. I'm guessing all these were done by sublimation, and they were then engraving the person's name onto the plates.

Anyway after spending a few days reading on here, I must say it's a fantastic forum with very helpful members so i'm glad I found this place

I think I know what i'm looking for to get me started, although I think second hand regarding the press to start me off. Today I missed out on what I think was a good deal on ebay, I saw it too late really and didn't have time to organise transport and check whether I had the funds available, plus I didn't need half the stuff that was with it. But i'm guessing this was a good price especially for someone who wants to start up?: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121528966226

Anyway I look forward to being a part of the forum

[Justin]

Hi there and welcome to the forum

You shouldn't have any problems setting up on that level of budget, try not to cut too many corners or you'll just end up having to buy again. A cameo cutter does the job adequately and the Ricoh A4 printers aren't too bad at all with the inks bundled in. Smaller heat presses aren't too expensive but A3 size pushes the price up a bit. You might be lucky and find a second hand Adkins/Pressmech if you search far enough

Justin
DSF Admin

[dannyboy]

Thanks for the welcome Justin,

Yeah i've been looking at Adkins and Pressmech machines on ebay, one was on there today literally 1 minute away from me but it had gone by the time I got home. He still has the Adkins mug press for sale for £120 though, although I'm not sure if that's a good price?

I'm not too sure I need a cutter or anything, i'll be sticking to smaller products more than anything to go with my engraving.

Thanks again

[Justin]

I was looking at the Adkins but he won't post it and will only allow courier collection on a Saturday, well worth the money, I have two already but could use a third That was the studio press, there's an older Adkins mug press that I wouldn't bother with.

[dannyboy]

Was it the one that was going for £750? Is that the kind of price I can expect to pay for a 2nd hand one?

Thanks again for your help Justin

[Justin]

Sorry, I meant the mug press. £750 is about right if it's not had too much use. I've bought the slightly older version in the past (better build quality imo) for £400-£500 so that prob. is about right. If you could get him down a bit on that it would be better is it 16x20 inch?

[dannyboy]

He's just contacted me and he sold both the heat press and mug press today £700 for both It was the Xpres 15" x 20". He's offered to help with anything though which is really good of him (so thanks if you're on here )

[daddykev]

Hi and welcome aboard! Hope you enjoy your stay.