Hi there, I'm new and am so happy I found this forum- its been invaluable in my research so far so thank you everyone for your contributions!

Like I said I'm still in the heavy research stage but in regards to Machinery I'm very heavily leaning towards the Hotronix Fusion IQ Heat Press (Draw & Swing Away) by Stahls (on Badgers Heat Transfer.uk).

It initially comes with a 40x50cm(16x20") lower platen as standard. HOWEVER, they also offer various other interchangeable lower platen options. The initial spend is hefty to me to begin with and these additional platens are considerable too so I don't have the liberty of buying everything I might possibly need at once.....

....which is the crux of my post- *are* these additional lower platens 100% completely necessary? Or are the issues they address more easily (and financially viably) worked around instead with the help of pads, silicone sheets etc.?

Some of them (like the shoe platen and leg & sleeve ones) I can definitely see the appeal for time saving/quicker production. But others seem so similar I just don't know......

At my level I'm not looking at needing to fulfill huge orders but am wanting to buy the best machine I can afford at this time (which is very intimidating but given the advice about how buying cheap initially can end up costing more in the long run and with how good the warrantys they offer are I'm absolutely sure it'll pay for itself easily- even if a more commercial approach isnt a success for me, the personal applications are endless!).

Btw, I'm not looking for you to go out your way to explain in detail about *how* to work round the issues (I'm sure I can find more in the search) just if its easily possible and these are a money making racket on the manufacturers side or whether I should seriously consider investing in them in the future? Also if anyone has first hand experience of working with/without the additions.

THE ADDITIONAL PLATENS THEY OFFER & WHY:

18cm(7") Round Platen: ends of duffle bags, sides of gym bags, tote bags, backpacks, breast pockets
10cm(4") Square Platen: very small heat transfers, youth clothing, garments with buttons, zippers and seams in close proximity to print area
15x25cm(6x10") Platen: same listed as above
20x25cm(8x10") Platen: tote & polypropylene bags, childrens/fitted womens/sportswaer
28x38cm(11x15") Platen: childrens/womens/smaller sized garments (they call this the 'MVP' of their platens)
38cm(15") Square Platen: Larger childrens/womens/adult garments
15x38cm(6x15") Shoe Platen: for sides of most adult and childrens shoes at the same time
15x50cm(6x20") Leg & Sleeve Platen: legs & sleeves (obviously)
Double Leg & Sleeve Platen: double capability of above

(They also offer additional lower platens which generate heat from the bottom up which interests me as they say it majorly reduces risk of scorching and dye migration- so of all the possible additions these are the ones from my current thinking that seem worth the extra spend in the future).

Sorry for being so longwinded! Hopefully someone can set me straight and if not, then I've given you the lowdown on the product without having to read it all on the website!)

Thanks