DSF

I'm trying to price a set up from scratch for 1k or under. In your view, is this realistic?
Have seen some cheap machines on Ebay but are they rubbish and you just get what you pay for?
Any advice welcomed.
Thanks

1k and under for what?

What are you looking to sublimate?
Mugs, T-shirt’s, hats and other clothing or slates and things like key rings etc?

This will all make a difference to the price with what presses etc you will need.

Pens, Mugs and badges to start with only. Thanks

Spent all day yesterday reading all the threads, getting a bit overwhelmed.
With checking out the best suggested name brands etc, could spend around 4k on those!
Which is a bit disheartening when I know my budget is 1k. lol

Pens are done normally with UV printer. +£10,000.
Mugs are done with sublimation printer and heat press. +£559 See offers from DSF company sponsors such as https://www.xpres.co.uk/p-10136-xpres-s ... undle.aspx
Badges are done normally via badge press machine +£250

pens ... not really an option...

Printer 300 and 2 mug presses for about 170 each - all from BMS

Badges probably a non starter too .... but depends on your market.
can get badge machine for about 200

Sub is not too demanding on heat press, - can get a pixmax or similar for about 200

What you really want is training, - and the bigger suppliers with good tech support will be out of reach ....
Magic Touch worth making contact with .... great support, quality products, higher prices

I'm looking for a rotary pad printer for pens, hopefully much cheaper!

Thanks, will look into Magic Touch.

You can get some amazing bargains on high quality used equipment on Ebay, but you have to know what you're looking for.

Quite a few of the sub suppliers do starter bundles which can be a good way to start.
Be cautious of cheap presses on eBay. Whist there may well be some good ones out there, there are also some terrible ones.
Whilst some of the 100-in-1 combi presses may seem like amazing value, you can only use one at once, and if the panel/controller dies, you can't use any.

If you go with a recognised and trusted UK supplier/distributor you also have the benefit of support should any issues arise.