Popular Items??

Hi,
I'm pretty new to sublimation and wondered if anyone could share their experiences with me. I have been experimenting with afew different products to find the times and temperatures needed- a good few sublimation blanks (and money) have been wasted!!.
I thought i would just start out with a small amount of products that I sell on ebay etc. and I was just wondering what other posters on the forum - more experienced than me :) - would suggest are popular items that sell well??

I am using the 3D vacuum press ST-3042 and I am currently doing things like mugs, phone cases etc.. you can see my other products on my website: www.personalisewise.com

Thanks! :biggrin::biggrin:

not wanting to be unhelpful. if i told you what sold well, this would give away years of learning and mistakes and might make me sell less. i think you will have to put in time effort and some more money and unfortunately figure that one out for ones self.

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Originally Posted by calvinabc

not wanting to be unhelpful. if i told you what sold well, this would give away years of learning and mistakes and might make me sell less. i think you will have to put in time effort and some more money and unfortunately figure that one out for ones self.

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Hi, ok i understand where your coming from. Thanks for replying though. Any hints and tips that you are willing to share would be much appreciated though, I arn't trying to steal your sales- i promise!!!:biggrin::biggrin:

Hmmm interesting question Trout and well done for asking, like you I'm a newbie and have asked myself the same question.......... I'm lucky in so much as my partner is a very good pastel artist so we have 60 - 70 unique images, our research has meant putting a lot of leg work in on seeing whats out there and then deciding on what we feel we could put into the market both for online sales, local specialist gift retailers along with a selection of trade shows. Our focus is on selling our own range of designs and not looking at printing customers own designs so my suggestion is to scour the web, get around the gift shops then go with your gut feeling,

We are nearly there with our product range and looking to launch our website during February so fingers crossed that we have got it right, time will tell, in the meantime we are still researching, on Sunday heading up to Olympia to a big trade show just to see whats trending this Spring and Summer.

Wish you well with your venture and you will find the forum really helpful in answering any tech problems that you have.

Good luck

John

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Originally Posted by k21john

Hmmm interesting question Trout and well done for asking, like you I'm a newbie and have asked myself the same question.......... I'm lucky in so much as my partner is a very good pastel artist so we have 60 - 70 unique images, our research has meant putting a lot of leg work in on seeing whats out there and then deciding on what we feel we could put into the market both for online sales, local specialist gift retailers along with a selection of trade shows. Our focus is on selling our own range of designs and not looking at printing customers own designs so my suggestion is to scour the web, get around the gift shops then go with your gut feeling,

We are nearly there with our product range and looking to launch our website during February so fingers crossed that we have got it right, time will tell, in the meantime we are still researching, on Sunday heading up to Olympia to a big trade show just to see whats trending this Spring and Summer.

Wish you well with your venture and you will find the forum really helpful in answering any tech problems that you have.

Good luck

John

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Thanks for your reply, I am also planning on going to various trade fair/craft fairs etc. to find what's trending at the moment. It sounds really good what your doing and it sounds like etsy would be effective for you to sell on. I've got a few more unique and creative ideas for products but i think it's about trailing a range and narrowing it down so ill take your advice and have a look in afew touristy/gifty shops.
Thanks for your thoughts!

A good tip I can give you is if you cut all corners of the paper before you print, it stops the paper jamming and the printer picks it much better.Its stops paper jams. Buy a small amount of stock and learn how colours and pressure, its hard to know what is popular, but one thing I can guarantee selling is, when you sell loads of what seems to be selling and then go on to order larger amounts it stops. "its sods law." For temps and pressure loads to read on here, most sublimations websites have times and pressure on their sites. Can't help with the vacuum press as I don't like them or use them

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Originally Posted by jennywren

A good tip I can give you is if you cut all corners of the paper before you print, it stops the paper jamming and the printer picks it much better.Its stops paper jams. Buy a small amount of stock and learn how colours and pressure, its hard to know what is popular, but one thing I can guarantee selling is, when you sell loads of what seems to be selling and then go on to order larger amounts it stops. "its sods law." For temps and pressure loads to read on here, most sublimations websites have times and pressure on their sites. Can't help with the vacuum press as I don't like them or use them

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Im very greatful for your thoughts, i haven't experienced the paper jamming yet but ill definitely try cutting the corners if it happens, thanks for the tip! Iv'e read through posts on here before testing items to see if there are any common problems that i could avoid and everything- hints or tips- is really useful,
Thank you

trout best hint & tip i can give you, make a very large cup of tea/coffee and read the sections which relate to what you are going to be doing,

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Originally Posted by mrs maggot

trout best hint & tip i can give you, make a very large cup of tea/coffee and read the sections which relate to what you are going to be doing,

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Ha, That is exactly what i am and have been doing, not sure i've got a cup big enough! Like i say, everything and everyone on this forum is extremely helpful and i've made alot of use of the '3D Sublimation' section. It's just about trailing a range of items and experimenting to discover what is popular and sells. There are so many fantastic product ideas that are available with sublimation, its just about finding the right ones for myself and my potential customers and not getting too carried away with all of the items that i find interesting and exciting- paying customers may not be as keen on!

Thanks for your reply!

I recon most of the items are popular but the problem is how you find your share of the market..ex Mugs are so popular but competition is so high and some ppl sell them for £2.50 with printing...my opinion is don't try to go with the price set your price with your own designs ..if ppl like your designs or the way you present them they will spend even a £10 on the same Mug selling for £2.50 ..its all about your way of selling them and your ideas....hope this helps...

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Originally Posted by Ravisteam

I recon most of the items are popular but the problem is how you find your share of the market..ex Mugs are so popular but competition is so high and some ppl sell them for £2.50 with printing...my opinion is don't try to go with the price set your price with your own designs ..if ppl like your designs or the way you present them they will spend even a £10 on the same Mug selling for £2.50 ..its all about your way of selling them and your ideas....hope this helps...

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Yes I think that is probably the best way to go about selling rather than getting drawn into low price competition on ebay and amazon etc. with low margins. i'll try and focus on quality and the arty-crafty nature and i think concentrate on making my designs/images/descriptions unique and stand out, like you mentioned. i've tried to include some slightly more querky products in my range to help me offer something different, not just the standard; mugs etc..
Thank you