Heat Press For £400?

[MikeJB]

Been using a mug press for a couple of years now and I'd like to try my hand with a flatbed heat press for doing mouse mats, t-shirts, etc.

My question is, is it possible to get a reliable decent quality heat press at around the £400 mark?

[billy8581]

https://www.targettransfers.com/heat-pr ... press.html I can recommend one of these. a good starter press to get you going. For tshirts I would go for no less that 38x38. Had mine for 4 years with reasonable use and still going strong!

[MikeJB]

Thanks for the reply, Billy. I'll checkout your link now.

https://www.targettransfers.com/heat-pr ... press.html I can recommend one of these. a good starter press to get you going.

[billy8581]

For tshirts I would go for no less that 38x38. Had mine for 4 years with reasonable use and still going strong!

[MikeJB]

I was thinking about that but £450 + 20% VAT puts it a little out of my price range, unless there's a 3rd party selling them cheaper. I do know that Stahl are built to last of course.

[billy8581]

Hmm I see, it's worth spending a little more to make it easier. The thing with printing is, the more time it takes you to print, the higher the price you have to charge, so every bit of time saved will equate to you making more profit per hour and of course remaining competitive. That's the biggest lesson I have learned since starting back in 2015. Cut out the time it takes. The equipment will pay for itself. A bigger press also opens up the range of items you can sell, such as cushion covers etc, an for tshirts, it just gives you a bigger printable area.

Maybe there will be other models just as good for less money, but certainly buy the biggest press you can afford. Also check that your power supply will be adequate, I got the clam basic because I can use a normal domestic grounded socket.

Talk to some suppliers and see what they can offer you, that's what I'd do. Tell them what you want to make and ask them to recommend something to suit your budget.

[MikeJB]

My output will be relatively small. Just dipping my toes, and as far as t-shirts go, if I get 10 orders a week I'll be happy. It does make sense to go big. Maybe I'll just save up for a few more weeks. It'll give me time to hunt around for a reasonably priced t-shirt supplier!

[billy8581]

Hi Mike

There are several good suppliers, uk based.

Btc Activewear
Ralawise
Pen carrie
Orn
Uneek

These are a few. I use btc and uneek normally with ralawise as a back up. Btc have a 48 hour delivery for £3.95, so probably ideal for your small orders.

[MikeJB]

Thanks for that info, Billy, and for your advice. I appreciate it.

[pw66]

£400 is a tricky price point. All you are going to get is a Chinese made press with a western brand name on, with a very short 12 month guarantee.

If you can't justify spending more then either look for a good used press on ebay or drop your budget to around £200 and buy something from a reputable supplier, and accept the fact that it isn't going to last forever.