WTB T-Shirt Press

[mc-motorsports]

Anyone know anything about T-shirt presses?

I talked to a guy a while ago that said a $200 machine would be perfect for what I do, probably make 50 shirts, long sleeves and hoodies a month, that's combined. He told me anything more would be a waste of money, he makes his living selling a custom line of clothing but I have no way of contacting him for more information.

My friend who makes my transfers right now actually presses them for me at work. The company she works for sells a $1200 small commercial unit, but she said it's overkill unless you need to pump out shirts at a rate of 3 seconds each. (and 40-50 shirts a month isn't paying my bills, it's more for fun and advertising)

I've searched the net and ebay and I've found so many presses varying in price range, expensive looking ones that are cheap, cheap looking ones that are expensive and everything in-between.

Can anyone reccomend a T-Shirt press that will be reliable for a good price? I would prefer to buy american, atleast not chinese.

TIA

EDIT: I need a heat transfer press, just wanted to make sure I specified.

[mc-motorsports]

hoping someone knows something? Maybe?

[dang]

Here are some plans to build your own heat press out of wood. The plans cost $25. I didn't write, and don't personally sell these plans.
http://www.heatpressplans.com/
I doubt you'll find an American manufacturer.

[LaserImage]

I would suggest staying away from the cheap ebay presses. They don't heat accurately or evenly and you need both to produce consistent results. I do a lot of dye sublimation, tiles, shirts, etc., and have a GeoKnight DK20S. It's a digital "swinger" style press, as opposed to a clamshell press. For t-shirts you could probably use a clamshell - I need the swinger for tiles and thicker objects.

I highly recommend calling Kevin Lumberg at Johnson Plastics - johnsonplastics.biz - he is very knowledgable about dye sub and will give you the info you need to make an intelligent decision. He is a salesperson but he won't try to sell you something you don't need. Tell him Gary from Laser Image sent you.

Also check out dyesub.org - it's a forum dedicated to dye sublimation, you'll find lots of info there.

Gary