Advice for dye sublimation on socks for a newbie

[danraf]

Hello all!

I am new member to the forum today but am a long time reader!

I have just started to dip my toe into the waters with dye sublimation. Although I have experience in working with dye sublimated products I have never owned and operated my own machine. I would love some advice on a starter package from some experienced dye sub folk.

After hours/days/months of research I have seen that this starter package is popular

http://www.coralgraph.com/heat-press/he ... package-a3

I would like to dye sublimate socks (for feet not phones). Do you think this is the package for me or does anyone have any other suggestions?

Also if anyone can recommend a good supplier for sock blanks that would also be extra helpful, I have found a few but any additional advice would be greatly appreciated.

[socialgiraffe]

I have used Coralgraph a few times and they are about okay.

Have a look at the below though, if you are only looking at dye sublimation on socks then a cheap heat press will probably do the trick. But you will find you will want to do more and I would recommend a better heat press personally (but then that costs more!)

PRINTER
BMS £718.80 (including full set of ink)
The Magic Touch £714.00 (including full set of ink)
Listawood £780.00 (without ink, but if you become a premium member you get 10% discount)

HEAT PRESS
BMS £270 (cheap and cheerful, I had one and it worked okay ish).
The Magic Touch £1014 (Adkins, I have one of these now and they are superb)
Listawood £932.00 (Hix, which are also known to be a very good make)


So essentially if you shop around you could get your set up for £984 including VAT.

Many of the suppliers do a start up package which may be better for you as they include quite a few blanks and paper etc. Personally I would also call the various suppliers and see if they could do a deal.

Lastly, presumably you require an A3 printer which is why you went for that package.

[icfnuk]

ive found http://www.vaporapparel.com/sublisocks.html ---- but cant find a UK supplier - got a link from Contrado.com - but no one replies - can any one help with getting blank socks - cheers