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[jazzygirl]

ok guys..please give me more good tips.
with the money i mad on my first order i realllly want to buy another heat press. i want to stay with the 15x15 mainly because of the bra & panty teflon set i just bought so i dont want it to go to waste.
looking at the MAXX 15X15 HEAT PRESS
now my 1st question is what would a $700 press do vs a $200 press?
or even $500? i know this may seem like a dumb question but when i first started looking a presses i had a guy tell me "they were all the same, they produce heat"
i was having alot of scorching on my white shirts some worse then others but just doing a onesie i could see the discoloration in the 30 seconds it was on the press.
2nd- what is the difference of the 110v and the 220v i know this has something to do with voltage in the wall but what is the difference?
by buying a higher price press will this avoid some of the issues i was having?
when doing this first order i printed them with the JPSS and i had to physically cut the design and name. Im only working in WORD right now, but would a cutter have cut the design, names and numbers for me? or do i need a certain program to do that? Roger was telling me about winpcsign so i know that is and option. Not sure if i want to get into vinyle just yet.. but Im thinking about it
looking forward to your suggestions
jazzy!!

[boomerbabe]

Here is an older video about the MAXX press from Stahls.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX7594o3CNo (External Embedding Disabled)
Might answer some of your questions.

[American logoZ]

I purchased a Maxx in Sept 09 and I have no complaints.  It had been used on the show circuit all year, so didn't have to pay full price.    Never used anything else, so I cannot compare...sry.

[gprockhill]

I can most specifically speak to the differences in heat presses. Based on a lot of reading and seeing that many people had great luck with SunIE, I took the leap. It's price was ECONOMY but the warranty was (I think ) 2 years. How could I go wrong? WAY WAY WRONG. While others may have had good luck and continue to have it, I did not. My machine was so bad that I could not get any consistent heating. I wasted a lot of money and time experimenting, thinking it was my poor understanding of the product or process. In the end, it was not me - I bought a Maxx ( I think $695) and have not had a nano second of trouble. Customer service at SunIE maintained it was me not the machine. Even after I measured the temp with both thermometers and heat strips to demonstrate the wild variance in heat over the platen. After sending it back, they claimed it worked perfectly. They refused to honor the warranty with either repair or replacement, in fact I had to pay a restocking fee for the perfect machine I sent back to them ( at my expense). So,,,,, very long story and believe me it was literally hours of wasted time dealing with this- but - buy  the best your budget can afford. If possible, buy American and for sure - give a call to the companies customer service center to see if you do have trouble, you will get the type of service they are advertising. It's your living, don't mess around with cheap crap.

[badablue]

ok guys..please give me more good tips.
with the money i mad on my first order i really want to buy another heat press. i want to stay with the 15x15 mainly because of the bra & panty teflon set i just bought so i don't want it to go to waste.
looking at the MAXX 15X15 HEAT PRESS
now my 1st question is what would a $700 press do vs a $200 press?
or even $500? i know this may seem like a dumb question but when i first started looking a presses i had a guy tell me "they were all the same, they produce heat"
i was having alot of scorching on my white shirts some worse then others but just doing a onesie i could see the discoloration in the 30 seconds it was on the press.
2nd- what is the difference of the 110v and the 220v i know this has something to do with voltage in the wall but what is the difference?
by buying a higher price press will this avoid some of the issues i was having?
when doing this first order i printed them with the JPSS and i had to physically cut the design and name. I'm only working in WORD right now, but would a cutter have cut the design, names and numbers for me? or do i need a certain program to do that? Roger was telling me about winpcsign so i know that is and option. Not sure if i want to get into vinyl just yet.. but I'm thinking about it
looking forward to your suggestions
jazzy!!

When I hear someone talk about scorching then I usually assume they did not buy apparel designed for heat pressing.  Many garments sold in stores have sizing or water repellent chemicals in them. Most of us buy from industry suppliers that sell product designed for heat pressing an screen printing. Also I think getting into this business you really need to understand your needs better. This is for anyone not just you. Had I done this in the beginning instead of a year latter I would have had more options in my business in the beginning. 1. A 15 x 15 press 2. A 1100 epson, or 1400 epson wide format printer. 3. A plotter /cutter (See expert24)   Correct software. Illustrator, or corel draw, or WinPCsign. MS word has nothing to do with this business. Of course I sell other things but that comes after your first needs and I would say most of the above. I also think you can do all of this for under $1500. Lou

[COCHISE]

I agree with everyone............... Research, research and more research. I bought a turnkey business to help a friend out........... BIG mistake. I have learned to live with all the shortcomings of the equipment. I am not a large producer, thank the Lord. I will replace it all in time.

This is my best offer for an education. The folks at Alpha are experts in presenting teaching tutorials. Read the whole web site ten times if you need to and learn. THEN budget your equipment and make your purchases.

http://transferbusiness.com/

Your new best friends are the words HEAVY DUTY. Hobby is a horse for the Grand kids. This equipment will be on and used 8 to 12 hours a day... if you buy cheap........ buy a fire extinguisher and learn to be an electrician.

ken

[MXRacingDad]

Jazzy what Lou listed is exactly perfect and all the other info is right on the money. When I started a little over a year ago I set out to learn this business with as little expenditure as possible. To date I haven't spent over a thousand dollars for equipment. I am right now saving and waiting to replace everything with what I call real equipment. Cheap heat presses are for making there manufacturer money not you. My recommendation is by the best that you can afford and if you can't afford better wait until you can. The answer to your question is most likely you wouldn't have as much trouble with a better press. Once again the statement, you get what you pay for comes to mind and cheap means trouble. Hope this helps. As for Rogers recommendation of winpcsign you would have one software to do everything, but remember whatever software you buy there is a learning curve. Pick what you think you can learn the easiest and will do the most for your business. Talk to Lou and Roger you can't go wrong with their recommendations.

[gprockhill]

Regarding software: Stop using word asap. Learn perhaps, Inkscape - it's free and does all sorts of things that Corel Draw can do. Creating vector images is critical and with Inkscape you can learn the process and use this until you decide what other software might suit your developing skills. MMM really likes the winpcsign and she knows A LOT. However, inkscape is free and right now- you can get a lot of concepts and tools learned for free. Also, regarding cutting - when you purchase a cutter from places such as USCutter, they include cutting software ( 1 year license) or the free version of Sign Blazer. Actually, I even think you can cut from Inkscape. This too will help reduce initial costs until you can really sink your teeth into your craft - then once you get the winpcsign and corel, you are doing so knowing how and when you will use them. Does this make sense or am I just rambling?

[MonkeyMeMe]

it makes total sense,,,

[MXRacingDad]

Check with Roger for a cutter as well you will be happy with the support and have a cutter that will last.

[charles95405]

gprockhill is dead on regarding use of Word...it is a great word processing program but a lousy choice in design/imprints. Go with inkscape..it is free, there are some tutorials around and there are DIY books available. One is at:
http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=inkscape+guide+to+a+vector+drawing+program

there are some available from Borders..like
http://www.borders.com/online/store/SearchResults?keyword=inkscape&type=0&simple=1

I would recommend anyone who does not have a vector graphic program to try this out

[gprockhill]

I mention USCutter but they as yet are not offering discounts etc. My apologies to Roger - I forget that while selling the best darned vinyl in town, he also sells plotters and is always handy if questions arise.

[jazzygirl]

thanks guys! Im going to keep looking b4 i purchase another press. i was reading the other post just above mine and it looks like they got some good tips there as well.
you guys are great!!

thanks so much!

[jazzygirl]

OMG!! i just got a call and the football team wants to place more orders! I DO NOT want to use the heat press i have.
i need to order today. so you guys all agree the 15x15 Maxx is a good press? I'm going to look to see who will ship out today or tomorrow and possibly free shipping

[boomerbabe]

BestBlanks http://www.bestblanks.com/stahlsheatpresses.html has free shipping and lifetime tech support, low price guarantee (meet or beat). They are in Hollywood FL.

[deChez]

OMG!! i just got a call and the football team wants to place more orders! I DO NOT want to use the heat press i have.
i need to order today. so you guys all agree the 15x15 Maxx is a good press? I'm going to look to see who will ship out today or tomorrow and possibly free shipping

I just had a look at the video on the 15 X 15 Maxx....it looks like a great press. I had a Sthals cap press, and never had any problem with it. If I were buying a new press, this one would be at the top of my list.

[MonkeyMeMe]

OMG!! i just got a call and the football team wants to place more orders! I DO NOT want to use the heat press i have.
i need to order today. so you guys all agree the 15x15 Maxx is a good press? I'm going to look to see who will ship out today or tomorrow and possibly free shipping

Wooohooooo Go Jazzy , Go jazzy

[jazzygirl]

LOL!! all that excitement Sandy, I'm going to kindly ask that you join me down here in Texas to pump out these orders!

[MonkeyMeMe]

would love it,,,

can we go pig hunting too,,, at the same time,,,

[jazzygirl]

LOL.. I'm a city girl. I wouldn't know the first thing about hunting a pig.