GO MiniMax Contour Cutter Featured in SnapGuide

What are the steps needed to use a combination of the GO UNO LED Transfer Printer and GO's new MiniMax 16-inch Contour Cutter? We have the answer. 

Featured in our latest SnapGuide, all you have to do is follow the instructions step-by-step instructions at: http://goo.gl/33Bxi. Following the step-by-step pictorial makes it an easy process to both image and then cut the transfer piece and transfer properly. Although this pictorial is showing the GO UNO, the same process applies to using the OKI pro920WT or the OKI 711WT transfer printers. 

The MiniMax Contour Cutter lists for $995 with further information at Learn More MiniMax. 

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ISS Show with the Industry's Leading LED Transfer Printers for Garments and T-shirts

During the ISS Long Beach Show Graphics One exhibited the complete range of GO and OKI LED Transfer Printers for garments and t-shirts. Starting with the GO UNO LED Professional Transfer Printer, the first 11x17 CMYK printer developed specifically for transfers. Additionally, the OKI pro920WT and OKI 711WT LED Transfer Printers for dark and black garments and t-shirts was exhibited. For added information please go to www.graphicsone.com or for the OKI pro920WT please go to: OKI pro920WT.

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Thanks for Great ISS Long Beach Show

Graphics One ended a very successful three day ISS Long Beach Show with dinner at our favorite "last night after-packing haunt, Rock Bottom Brewery." Shown from left to right is Kerby Bonilla, David Campos, Eddie Herrera, Eleni Barefoot, David Badaylan-Boof Captain, Miguel Turmero, Juan Carlos Clavijo and Christian Sam--a great team of people. 

During the show we showed our trio of industry leading LED transfer units the GO UNO LED Professional  t-shirt and garment transfer system, OKI pro920WT with white toner transfer system and OKI 711WT with white toner transfer system. In addition to our LED transfer systems, we launched our GO NeoTack Dye Sub ink, the first ink with tack and unlimited colors, our GO AquaMax dye sub printer, GO RIO Super Bundle, our GO Metalnox 8000AV PRO fully automatic industrial heat press and a variety of other ancillary products. 

The most important fact is if this show is any indication not only is the economy back, but our industry is going to have an outstanding year. 

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Transfer Paper for OKI pro920WT and OKI 711WT--GO FlipIt 2.0

With the launch of the OKI pro920Wt and OKI 711WT, users are constantly asking which paper should be used to obtain the best performance from these printers. GO's FlipIt 2.0 has quickly become the standard for use with the pro920WT and 711WT. The reason for this is the outstanding whites and colors which are able to be transferred to dark and black garments and t-shirts. FlipIt 2.0 offers no cut, no weed capability, which means you do not have to worry about cutting the paper for transfer. FlipIt 2.0 is available in both 11"x17" and 8.5"x11" sizes. For added information please click here:GO FlipIt 2.0.

One important note:  Can you imagine paying as much for a precoater or pretreament device as you would pay for our printers? Unlike Direct-to-Garment (DTG) or Direct Digital (D2) printers, our process does not require any precoating or pretreatment.

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GO FlipIt 2.0 Transfer Paper for Dark and Black Garments or T-shirts

Users of the OKI pro920WT and OKI 711WT LED transfer printers with white toner have been enjoying tremendous sales using GO;s FlipIt 2.0 transfer paper. This high performance weedless, no cut,  transfer solution for transferring CMYK and white toner on to black and colored t-shirts and garments. FlipIt 2.0 is available in both 11"x17" and 8.5"x11" sizes and is a two step process. 

Many users ask us what is the main difference between using FlipIt 2.0 versus Direct-to-Garment (DTG) or Digital Direct (D2) printers? The main difference is our LED printers print a transfer sheet every two seconds and there is no need for Pretreatment or Precoating. None. Using FlipIt 2.0 provides far higher transfer speed and does not incur the extra costs of a Pretreating or Precoating Device. We say, "No Pretreating or Precoating Needed." 

For added information click on: GO FlipIt 2.0 Transfer Paper

One final comment. Can you imagine the pro920WT and 711WT are priced about the same as the  precoaters or pretrement devices. There is NO reason to purchase these units with the pro920WT or the 711WT. 

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Thinking of Buying Direct-to-Garment? Read This First.

Key Questions Regarding How GO/OKI Transfer Solutions Compare to Direct-to-Garment (DTG /D2) are as Follows:

Q: Does the company offer both printers for printing light garments as well as dark or black garments?
GO/OKI: We offer a full range of printers starting with the GO UNO, a printer developed specifically for imaging up to 11”x17” light garments, the 711WT for imaging letter sized dark or black shirts with white and the pro920WT for imaging 11”x17” dark or black shirts.
DTG: Most providers offer both CMYK only and CMYK White printers, but in some cases only CMYK capable printers.

Q: What is the price of the GO/OKI printers and complete systems?
GO/OKI: Pricing for the UNO is $2,195, $3,395 for the 711WT and $7,495 for the 920WT. Complete t-shirt systems range from $2,995 up to $8,995. A user can get into the t-shirt business at a product cost of only $2,995.
DTG: Comparable DTG systems range from $20,000 to over $40,000…and yes the GO/OKI solution offers virtually the same capability at a much lower cost.


Q:Does the cotton garment need to be pre-coated for white to adhere?
GO/OKI: Unlike direct-to-garment printers the GO/OKI transfer solution does not require pre-coating of the garment to be able to use white.
DTG: At trade shows it is rare that DTG providers even tell potential customers that they recommend a precoating device costing between $3,500 and $7,000 for imaging white, and the precoating adds processing steps (in fact here is a dirty secret: at trade shows these vendors precoat their black shirts so a user does not see them coating…take your own jersey to the show and ask them to image it). By the way, adding the precoater adds to the the cost of the printing system of between $15,000 to $35,000. 

Q:How long does it take a DTG unit to image a garment?
GO/OKI: Imaging one transfer sheet using any of the GO/OKI is about two seconds a sheet.
DTG: printers average two to five minutes for just imaging the shirt not including precoating or any heat press steps.


Q:What other substrates other than cotton can a DTG printer print?
GO/OKI: LED printers with toner offer the ability to transfer to most fabrics.
DTG: DTG is limited to cotton.

Q: Does the DTG printer offer the capability to image on hard surface materials such as mugs, acrylic, metal, leather, wood and many other substrates?
GO/OKI: LED printers has the ability using transfer papers for imaging to the widest array of substrates in the industry.
DTG: DTG printers are generally limited to imaging cotton based substrates.

Q: What daily maintenance is required of the DTG unit?
GO/OKI: Our printers do not require any type of ongoing daily maintenance. Even if the printer is not used for an extended period of time, it will work without any issues.
DTG: DTG products have a daily morning and evening routine to ensure the printer does not clog. Additionally, if the printer is not going to be used for any period of time, there is a complete in-depth procedure which must be implemented to ensure the printer does not clog and ruin the ink delivery system and printheads.


Q: What is the cost for a new DTG printhead and the cost for the technician to come change it?
GO/OKI: The LED array is warranted for five years.
DTG: If a DTG printhead goes bad, the cost to replace it ranges from $2,000 to $3,500 depending upon the type of printhead. Additionally if the printhead is out of warranty, there is a service charge of between $400 to $1,000 to replace it.


Q:How much DTG ink is wasted on cleaning and flushing?
GO/OKI: With the LED printers is no toner wastage used for head cleanings or flushing.
DTG: It is estimated that between 5-10% of ink is used by DTG printers to clean, flush and keep the printhead moist so that it does not clog.


Q: What is the average cost for imaging a CMYK and CMYK plus White using DTG?
GO/OKI: CMYK images cost about $.50 for paper and toner and approximately $1.50 with white for letter sized images.
DTG: DTG costs an average of $.75 for CMYK and $1.75 for CMYK plus white for the same sized images.


Q: How long does it take to train on the DTG RIP software and how intuitive is it?
GO/OKI: The OKI/GO solution uses an onboard Adobe RIP which is just like using a normal desktop printer. There is very little training needed for its use.
DTG: Most DTG units use a complicated software RIP which must be used with a server and where the training to use the RIP is between one to three days.


Q: What type of warranty is offered?
GO/OKI: Our warranty includes a one year onsite warranty.
DTG: Most DTG providers offer a parts only warranty and in some cases, do not cover the ink delivery or printhead at all.

Q: Does your DTG provider offer you a complete system, including heat presses, mug presses, paper, toner and other accessories?
GO/OKI: Graphics One offers the most complete range of accessories for not only LED transfer systems but also dye sublimation and other printing systems for unique applications. As part of this offering GO has transfer papers and film, heat presses, color management, blanks and a variety of other products all supported by GO.
DTG: Generally DTG providers generally do not offer the complete system, only the printer and sometimes the pre-coating machine.

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No Pretreatment or Coating Needed for Dark or Black T-shirts

Printwear Q&A--Printwear offer a very good Q&A section on their website and the following is an except from the website concerning D2 (digital direct) or DTG (direct to garment) printers printing white and colors on dark or black t-shirts. The fact is all of the D2 manufacturers including Anajet and Brother indicate the only way to properly image dark and black garments is by precoating, or pretreating the t-shirts. In fact, both companies say it is also good for even light or white t-shirts as well. Please see the Q&A below.

Q. What is the one thing that is most important to ensure consistent quality digital direct (D2) / direct to garment (DTG) prints on darks?

A: The pre-treatment process is key. Just like when building a house, a good foundation is very important. Consistent, even pre-treatment is the foundation on which the rest of the D2 process is built. When the pre-treatment process is not applied properly, the D2 prints will appear to be faded in certain areas and, in cases where insufficient pre-treatment fluid is applied, the print may even wash out of the shirt when laundered.

The best way to achieve a consistent print is to apply the fluid with an automatic pre-treating machine (additional purchase may be required). When properly maintained and used correctly, these machines offer the user the ability to consistently achieve a high quality product. Answered by Brother International Corporation

Note from Graphics One: With the GO / OKI LED transfer system for imaging both dark and black garments, no precoating is needed. What the answer above does not say is that adding a precoater costs between $3,500 and $8,000 above and beyond the printer. Additionally, the precoating must be heat pressed prior to and after the imaging,  adding many steps to the process. The question we have for users is, "why would you spend more than the price of the UNO, 711WT or pro920WT on pretreating or precoating devices? There is absolutely no need for this type of equipment with the GO / OKI solutions.

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Direct-to-Garmet or LED Transfer Printer

In the first of our discussions of whether direct-to-garment / D2 printers and GO/OKI LED printers are competitive, below you will find an overview of what the GO / OKI LED transfer solutions offer:

• Three Printers--UNO, 711WT and 920WT
• Printers for Specific Applications--The UNO is perfect for CMYK light and white imaging, whereas the OKI 711WT is a letter size printer for imaging on dark and blacks and the pro920WT is the best 11"x17" transfer printer for imaging darks and blacks.  
• Low Cost—The cost of entry starts at $2,195 and a full system can be had for as little as $2,995. Additionally the OKI 711WT lists for $3,395 and the pro920WT is $7,495. 
• Full Color and White—Solution offers the ability to print on light, dark and black garments in full color including white
•  Low Operating Costs—CMYK toner with paper averages $.50 and CMYW $1.50 for letter sized images
• Easy-to-use—Just like using a desktop printer so little training needed
• High Speed—Images at up to one transfer sheet every two seconds
• Full Complement of Transfer Material—Transfer materials are available for so many applications beyond just garment decoration
• No Complicated Maintenance—All that is needed is to flip the on-off switch
• Onsite Warranty—One year onsite warranty on printers with second year optiona

Over the next few weeks we will discuss the specific differences between GO and OKI's solutions and how they compare to direct-to-garment printers from manufacturers such as Anajet and Brother.

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