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delboy2028
06-01-2014, 08:13 PM
Hi all.

I am looking into starting printing my own mugs. I am trying to decide what press to use to start out with every time i look there is another make and i really dont know what to go for.
I know not to buy the cheapest as it will probably not work very well but I dont want to spend loads if I dont need to. Any suggestions would be much appreciated as well as what paper/mugs people use for best results :)

thanks in advance.

Dave271069
06-01-2014, 08:15 PM
hello and welcome!
how much is your budget? have you purchased your other equipment yet?

delboy2028
06-01-2014, 08:18 PM
I havent purchased anything yet I like to research 1st so I know what im getting into :) i dont want to rush to buy something only to find its a load of rubbish

as for budget im not to sure yet.... i kind of look for what i want then get the money together that i need :) even if just out my wages this month i get some bits and the rest next pay day

Dave271069
06-01-2014, 08:23 PM
you will need a sublimation printer with inks best advice is go for the Richoh sg3110 your looking at about £250 for this, £10-£15 for papers, £100-£500 for mug press, £5 for tapes, and im sure someone will tell me ive missed something, but first of all go and buy a box of tea bags and get reading this forum, you answers to 99% of questions will be found here.
other option is to contact Martin (BMS) And ask for a price on a start up kit,
good luck
Dave

delboy2028
06-01-2014, 08:43 PM
thank you the printer i have ia an epson sx445w will that be any good or will i need to get a specialist printer?

also what decent press can i get for around £200 - £250?

Justin
06-01-2014, 10:19 PM
Best advice is don't waste your time and money on the Epson. You'll read over and over on this forum about folk starting out with these and similar printers only to end up buying something decent months down the line. Spend wisely now and save yourself a lot of hassle.

Adkins mug presses are excellent but maybe a little beyond your budget (well worth the push though if you can) Listawood also do some good presses which may be a little closer to your budget and with 10% off right now for Premium Members you could do worse than joining for £10 per year :-)

delboy2028
06-01-2014, 10:40 PM
great will look at there presses...

found this printer is this the correct one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ricoh-SG-3110DN-A4-Colour-Gel-Printer-/141132012325?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_Printers_Printers_ JN&hash=item20dc1f9b25

if the ink that comes with it ok or is it special ink??

delboy2028
06-01-2014, 11:01 PM
who are bms?? cant find um?

Dave271069
06-01-2014, 11:42 PM
http://www.printerowners.co.uk/
THIS IS THEM, a great supplier to get you up and running, there are others though just go to the suppliers page on forum, but you wont go far wrong with BMS.

pisquee
07-01-2014, 12:34 AM
If you're buying a Ricoh printer, then don't be tempted to buy one without sublimation ink, buy it as a package deal from one supplier.

arthur.daley
07-01-2014, 09:18 AM
Hi Delboy

Whereabouts in the uk are you? If you are anywhere near Fakenham - say 2 or 3 hour drive?? You might want to consider Listawoods for your equipment as they will give you some training included in the price of the press. When I was looking for new kit Kris Trewick at Listawoods was an absolute star - patience of a saint that man ;o)

The Ricoh 3110 is a great printer and Sawgrass (ink supplier) have excellent tech support if you run into trouble setting up the printer and software.

I'd hope that you'd get the same level of support from any of the suppliers on 'the list' but can only personally vouch for Listawoods.

You are in the right place for advice, this forum is second to none in offering support and I for one am so glad I found it.


regards


Arthur

Bob700
08-01-2014, 10:22 AM
Great point from pisquee, if I were you I'd get the printer from a reputable supplier so that you know you are getting the correct gel ink and as far as mugs go BMS is the only mug that gave me consistantly good results

pisquee
08-01-2014, 04:17 PM
Basically, if you get the printer and inks seperately, and not from an official Sawgrass dealer, then you will have no warranty on the printer. The Ricoh warranty is void once you put non-Ricoh inks in it, but if you buy the system from a Sawgrass dealer, then Sawgrass will provide a warranty on the printer. This is one of the reasons Sawgrass ink is the price it is - you are paying for that extra warranty, so if you buy your inks seperate you are throwing that money away, as you effectively paying for a warranty you can't use.

GoonerGary
23-01-2014, 11:30 PM
When I started out, I bought a Novachrome press which still works after 8+ years on and off of using, cheap Epson printers and bulk ink system with Artanium Ink. The printers gave me some trouble, but now I've got a custom system using better printers and ink.

I now use an Xpres 7033/ Adkins mug press which is really nice to use and I'm confident it will serve me well.

If I were you starting off, I would consider package 3:

http://www.thetransferpress.co.uk/acatalog/mug-packages.html

Don't waste your money on cheap Chinese presses, cheap ink, cheap mugs.

BMS, Transfer Press, Novachrome and Listawood are all great companies and sell good equipment.

guarddog14
05-02-2014, 11:45 PM
when i started i got the ricoh 3110 from bms , been fantastic for me

Alastair@Xpres
13-02-2014, 06:32 PM
Hello delboy, first off good luck with your new venture!

I work for Xpres and see new start ups regularly, I would advise getting equipment that will do a good job but that will hold their value well. If you go too cheap your mugs are likely to be inconsistent but that being said you don't need to spend too much for a good setup that will allow you to do a range of mugs. It is also a good idea, along with budget, to bear in mind what type of mugs you want to make as some mugs can handle more mug varieties than others.

If you want to have a demonstration on a complete mug pressing and printing setup just let me know and I can book you in with myself.
Also Xpres are currently running a decent mug press offer at the moment saving you money on high quality equipment.
http://www.xpres.co.uk/hot-feb-heat-press-clearance.aspx