This is an interactive catalogue showcasing all our printing solutions offered to you. Click the links and videos within the catalogue for more information.
04 Nov 2024
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Table of Contents
IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT ILLEGAL AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PRODUCTS ............................. 3
IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT OUR SYSTEMS AND MARKET CONDITIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA.................. 4
SUBLIMATION TRANSFER PAPER ................................................................................................. 6
CAMEO VALUE BUNDLE ............................................................................................................ 7
MUGGIT ™ 2 – VINYL CUT & TRANSFER SYSTEM ........................................................................... 8
MUGGIT ™ 3C LITE – ULTRA-LOW-COST, ENTRY-LEVEL SUBLIMATION SYSTEM ................................ 9
MUGGIT ™ 3C LITE MUG – ULTRA LOW COST, ENTRY-LEVEL MUG PRINT SYSTEM........................... 10
MUGGIT ™ 3C BASIC – VERSATILE SUBLIMATION SYSTEM......................................................... 11
MUGGIT ™ 3C PRO – PROFESSIONAL, VERSATILE SUBLIMATION SYSTEM..................................... 12
AN INTRODUCTION TO PRESTIGE DTF PRINTING TECHNOLOGY .................................................. 13
MUGGIT ™ 4 PRESTIGE A4 DIRECT-TO-FILM PRINTING SYSTEM.................................................... 18
MUGGIT ™ 4-1 PRESTIGE A3 DIRECT-TO-FILM INDUSTRIAL PRINTING SYSTEM............................... 19
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .............................................................................................. 20
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT UPGRADES........................................................................................... 23
TRANSFER VINYL .................................................................................................................... 26
DIFFERENT MUG GRADES – WHICH SHOULD I BUY? ................................................................... 26
MUGGIT COATING FILM ......................................................................................................... 27
HEAT SHRINK BAGS ................................................................................................................ 28
MUGGIT SUBLIMATION PRINTABLE TRANSFER VINYL .................................................................. 30
GLASS ETCHING..................................................................................................................... 30
WOOD BURNING PASTE .......................................................................................................... 31
MUGGIT SUBLIMER ™ .............................................................................................................. 32
MUGGIT SYNTHETIC BAMBOO ™ ............................................................................................. 34
CHROMA WOOD (16MM) ....................................................................................................... 35
USA INDUSTRIAL BUTTON BADGE SYSTEM ................................................................................. 35
IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT JG ELECTRONICS .............................................................................. 36
SERVICE AND SUPPORT........................................................................................................... 37
MAP FOR JOHANNESBURG OFFICES ........................................................................................ 38
MAP FOR CAPE TOWN BRANCH .............................................................................................. 39
MAP FOR BLOEMFONTEIN OFFICES .......................................................................................... 40
DUE TO THE INSTABILITY OF THE RAND & INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT COST CURRENTLY, PRICES ARE VOLATILE. PLEASE GET AN UPDATED QUOTE WHEN YOU ARE READY TO B UY.
Kindly Note: All prices exclude VAT at 15%. We accept credit cards, cash and electronic transfers but NOT cheques.Prices are quoted in South African Rands. Prices are subject to change without notice. Freight rates are going mad (500% increase since March 2020). This combined with raw material shortages is affecting the pricing and availability of stock.
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IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT ILLEGAL AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PRODUCTS
NATIONAL REGULATOR FOR COMPULSORY SPECIFICATIONS
All electrical and electronic products sold in South Africa, including heat presses, printers, and vinyl cutters need a LETTER OF AUTHORITY (LOA) issued by the NRCS if they are to be imported or even manufactured locally. This LOA is ONLY given if the product has been tested and found to be safe for consumer use, not harmful to the environment, and conforms to compulsory South African safety standards. Any product which does not have an LOA and is imported into the country is liable to be seized and destroyed should the importer be unable to procure an LOA (which can take 6-8 months). Even if two different importers are importing the same product, each needs to have their own LOA for the product to be legal, and they also have to pay a levy for each unit imported into the country.
All products sold by JG Electronics that require an LOA, have it.
A QUICK NOTE ABOUT OUR SYSTEMS
The information in the next few pages explains the different technologies available, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each, costs, profits, and markets that you can sell into. Once you have read it all, call us and we will suggest the appropriate system for your needs.
Visit our website to see new products and explanations of how the image transfer systems work.
STATE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MARKET
Due to government policies and the pandemic, the economy is not in great shape. As a result, many industries are suffering to the extent that companies in other industries are shifting their focus to the transfer printing industry which is one of the few industries still in good shape. The upside of this is that with increased competition, prices are falling and the variety is increasing. The downside is that the vast majority of these companies lack the technical skills needed for this market, and it’s becoming like the wild west. They are trying to get a foothold by offering very low-priced items of questionable quality claiming for example that with mugs there is no such thing as different grades which is false. Ultimately you the customer will be the one with an egg on your face if your customer rejects your order, or when your equipment breaks and these cowboys are unable or unwilling to repair it. Be very, very careful.
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IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT OUR SYSTEMS AND MARKET CONDITIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA
TYPES OF IMAGES TRANSFER TECHNOLOGY
GELJET / INKJET
Inkjet printers are dirt cheap and produce excellent-quality photorealistic images.
A GELJET printer is a hybrid between a laser printer and an inkjet with the advantage that it can print higher volumes without needing service as often as a similarly priced inkjet.
ADVANTAGES
Most affordable way of getting into this business. Printers are cheap and can be used for general printing as well as transfers.
DISADVANTAGES
Not as durable as Sublimation (but then again nothing is), and can only print fabrics, waterslide paper and temporary tattoos. Not possible to print hard surfaces such as mugs.
DIRECT-TO-FILM PRINTING (DTF)
This is an advancing technology that has some of the lowest print costs in the industry yet coupled with the best washability. The total print cost for DTF is less than just what the transfer paper costs with most competing technologies. This technology uses a special film, special inks and a powder (which is what sticks the image to the substrate). The powder sticks to the print only which is why only the print transfers to the substrate.
The best printers for DTF are manufactured for DTF from scratch. Early DTF machines (and current low-end machines) use a modified Epson inkjet printer.
ADVANTAGES
Exceptional quality with vibrant colours if used with professional Raster Image Processing (RIP) software, the correct inks and films and printer-specific colour profiles. Only the print is transferred and nothing else. Print durability is superior to any other transfer technology (with the exception of sublimation which is only for light / white synthetic fabrics) and even traditional silk-screen printing. The transfer cost (media and ink) is one of the lowest of all the transfer technologies and the cost difference between printing on light and dark substrates is negligible. The print is flexible (so no cracking on the substrate) and with the right RIP, print costs can be further reduced while wash durability can be increased by using the halftone function which is only available on more advanced rips like Fiery Cadlink.
DISADVANTAGES
These systems are ONLY for porous substrates (items which absorb water) such as fabrics, paper, board, some faux leathers and so on. The market is currently full of cowboys selling technology they
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neither understand nor can maintain. The system requires specialized RIP software. Most low-cost systems either have no RIP, or an inferior homegrown RIP or even a pirated RIP (so zero support and often doesn’t even work). The white inks tend to block easily, especially the cheap inks. Quality systems have a pump that constantly cycles the white ink). Anti-head strike technology is essential as head strikes reduce print head longevity. Most low- end systems don’t have this. You need to either be a hands-on person or have access to a good technician if you are going for DTF as they do need periodic maintenance. DTF printers need to be used often to prevent ink blockages and they must NOT be used in temperatures over 30C (else the ink gums up the head). You can’t just print today and forget about it for a week. The print heads are a consumable item that needs replacing every 4-24 months depending on usage, print head used (see Page 14 for the explanation) and model purchased. Choose your supplier with care!
SUBLIMATION
Sublimation is by far the best technology for photo-quality image transfers. These systems use a Sawgrass gel printer, a modified inkjet printer or an Epson sublimation-specific printer. Modified printers used for sublimation lose their warranty and tend to have issues with head blockages and lack of colour matching. The Sawgrass printer is currently the only printer which has colour matching for the widest variety of transfer papers and substrates. Sublimation is used commercially to decorate Ties, all Sportswear (including the Neon ones), Flags, Silk Scarves, Sweatbands, most full-colour Mugs, and all polyester, Nylon and Lycra clothing. ADVANTAGES You can transfer onto any polyurethane-coated surface, including Fabrics, Metal, Wood, high temp plastic and Ceramics (mugs, tiles, plates etc.) There is a huge variety of products which can be sublimated. An entry-level system which can print most surfaces costs under R20,000. Transfers are superb – bright rich colours, with photo-quality images and smooth skin tones. Transfers on synthetic fabrics are permanent and don’t wash out – not even with bleach. Transfers onto dark substrates with the correct media are very good, though nowhere near as good as DTF (which is pretty much limited to fabrics).
DISADVANTAGES
All items have to be coated for sublimation to work (though we do sell spray and adhesive coatings). Sublimation transfer systems are made for image transferring only and are not suitable for printing business cards, letterheads etc. The substrate being decorated must be able to withstand a temperature of 160C for minutes at a time (120C if using our film coating). Sublimation printers need to be used often to prevent them from blocking. Sublimation prints need to be shielded from ultraviolet (UV) or they fade (though there is a metal made specifically for the outdoors with a 5-year outdoor lifespan).
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SUBLIMATION TRANSFER PAPER
TP Sub Muggit HD
• The best paper of choice for sublimation printing • Dries instantly. • Perfect for larger volume print runs with full print coverage, thanks to the instant dry. • Paper thickness - 120gsm. • Available in A3 and A4 size sheets. • Available in packs of 10 / 50 / 110 / 500 sheets. • Supported by Sawgrass ™ Print Manager and many other RIPS (Raster Image Processing Software). • Sublimation transfer media for Sawgrass ™ , Ricoh and Epson® sublimation printers. • HD quality prints and detailed images look amazing, providing lasting colour vibrancy and brightness to your final decorated product. • One paper for all – No need to purchase separate paper for printing on sublimer products. Print on all sublimation-coated products as well as polyester fabrics, Ceramic, Metal, Glass, Bamboo, HB and more.
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CAMEO VALUE BUNDLE
The Silhouette Cameo 5 value bundle is the perfect bundle for home users who want to earn some extra cash and small businesses alike. All the items in this bundle have been carefully selected to give the user the most bang for their buck and allow them to produce a large variety of professional quality products with good earning potential. The Cameo 5 is a small-sized yet extremely versatile vinyl cutter for business applications. The included software is very easy to master and can be upgraded online to a more powerful version right up to the business version which allows you to connect multiple Cameos to the same PC which is very useful for when your business grows.
The Craft Express press is a small heat press which has optional attachments for pressing mugs, caps and even plates. The TorchPaste allows you to try your hand at wood burning (in other words achieving laser engraver-type results on wood without needing a laser engraver). The Craft Express transfer sheets are pre-printed sublimation patterns which can be cut with the Cameo and transferred onto pretty much any coated blanks including mugs, caps, polyester shirts, metal, wood and so on. The heat transfer vinyl is cut with the Cameo and can be transferred to Fabrics, Diaries, and most hard surfaces even if not specially coated. Numbers on soccer shirts for instance are done with this process.
THE SYSTEM INCLUDES:
✓ SILHOUETTE ™ Cameo 5 Business Vinyl Cutter – With the included software
✓ MUGGIT ™ Craft Express Craft press (30.48x25.4cm)
✓ Heat Transfer Vinyl – 25cm x 1m of each White and Black
✓ Sublimation Craft Transfer Sheet Pack (Design/Patterns may differ from the image provided)
✓ Cameo Hook Set - Hook tool set for weeding vinyl (set of 3 tools) ✓ Comprehensive manual and instructions
✓
TorchPaste- Wood Burning Paste
✓ Etching Vinyl - A small sample is included.
R 9,561.70 + VAT = R 10,995.95
UPGRADES OR EXTRAS YOU CAN ADD TO THE SYSTEM: • Add Cap attachment for Craft press ……………………….
R 654.35 (incl.) R 803.85 (incl.) R11,498.97 (incl.)
• Add Mug Attachment for Craft press …………………... ..... • Add Sawgrass A4 sublimation printer with inks ………... .....
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MUGGIT ™ 2 – VINYL CUT & TRANSFER SYSTEM
The ideal system for a small business wanting to earn additional income without risking a ton of money. The widely popular Cameo 5 business vinyl cutter coupled with an A4 T-shirt press keeps the costs down while allowing for higher volume production. There is a large market for sayings , simple logos and numbers on shirts as well as vinyl stickers . A shirt with a snappy shirt retails for upwards of R200, while the cost to produce the
saying is under R20. Add a low-cost shirt and you can see how profitable it is. Many people buy shirts of their favourite sports team and want a number added to the back – the cost for this number is under R 20, but people offering this service charge R 100 or more. The heat transfer vinyl can be layered to give multiple colours and effects and is available in colours that aren’t possible to print with a printer such as neon, metallic, puff, flock, glow in the dark, colour change and so on.
The transfer vinyl can be used on pretty much any surface that can handle 130-160°C for 10 seconds including mirrors, ceramics, metal and even wood.
THE SYSTEM INCLUDES:
✓ MUGGIT ™ Swing Away Heat Press – 23 x 30 cm (with a 2-year warranty on the element)
✓ SILHOUETTE ™ Cameo 5 business vinyl cutter with the included software
✓ Heat Transfer Vinyl – 1m of each White and Black
✓
Scraper
✓ Cameo Hook Set - Hook tool set for weeding vinyl (set of 3 tools) ✓ Comprehensive manual and Instructions
R 10,078.90 + VAT = R 11,590.74
UPGRADES OR EXTRAS YOU CAN ADD TO THE SYSTEM: • Upgrade to a 38 x 38cm heat press …………………………..
Add R 1,215.50 (incl). Add R 4,260.75 (incl). Add R 11,498.97 (incl).
Upgrade to a 50 x 40cm heat press ………………………….. Sawgrass A4 sublimation printer with inks……………………
•
•
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MUGGIT ™ 3C LITE – ULTRA-LOW-COST, ENTRY-LEVEL SUBLIMATION SYSTEM
The Muggit 3C Lite is targeted at those people who would like to start in the sublimation business, but have a very limited budget , yet still want to buy a quality system. This system still includes the same reliable, high- definition Sawgrass printer that we use with all our sublimation systems – We won’t compromise on this, coupled with a Muggit™ brand high-pressure T-shirt press and some raw materials to get started. Unlike the flood of low-cost equipment which has been smuggled into the country to avoid government-mandated safety checks, our equipment has passed the safety checks for the safety of yourself and your loved ones.
Flat items cover around 85% of all printable products. Print costs vary from R7 to R17 per A4 page depending on coverage including the paper and print. The cost to print a polyester shirt including the shirt (full-colour full coverage) is thus around R74 including the shirt. The selling price is anything from R150 – R350 depending on your market. Should you wish to add the ability to do mugs too , you can either buy a mug press or simply purchase the heat shrink bags which with any convection oven achieve the same result. Bags cost under R 5.00 each.
THE SYSTEM INCLUDES:
✓ SAWGRASS ™ SG500 UHD Gel Printer (A4) – 2-year warranty (as long as sawgrass inks are used ) ✓ SAWGRASS ™ Ultra High-Definition Sublimation Inks – Starter pack ✓ MUGGIT ™ A4 T-shirt & Tile press – 23 x 30cm platen, 2-year warranty on the element ✓ Sawgrass Print Manager ✓ Training Videos + Manuals + Cost Calculator + Templates + Training Video Links + Marketing Guide ✓ Premium grade Heat Tape , A4 Nomex Pad , A4 USA Teflon Sheet, Scraper ✓ T-Shirt Ruler - helps you to line up prints on the shirt – Very useful when doing multiple shirts with the same design. ✓ Transfer papers – for Sublimation, Light Cotton, Sublimation Flex ✓ Sublimer Keyrings – Pack of 5 ✓ 1x Coaster Sublimer 2T 9.5cm Round, 1x Coaster Sublimer 2T 9.5cm Square ✓ MUGGIT ™ Coating film – (allows you to coat your own products for sublimation) ✓ FREE Corel Draw Essentials OEM Software
R 14,546.65+ VAT = R 16,728.6540
UPGRADES OR EXTRAS YOU CAN ADD TO THE SYSTEM: • Add a business vinyl cutter (Cameo 5) highly recommended………………… • Add a 3-piece Hook Set to make weeding vinyl a breeze ……………………… • Add a Muggit ™ Lime mug press for 11oz standard Mugs ………………………
R 7,297.90 (incl.) R 102.35 (incl.) R 2,195.01 (incl.)
• Upgrade to a 38 x 38cm High-pressure clamshell press ……………………. Add R 1,215.50 (incl.)
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MUGGIT ™ 3C LITE MUG – ULTRA LOW COST, ENTRY-LEVEL MUG PRINT SYSTEM
The Muggit 3C Lite is a system suited to those who only want to print mugs , tumblers, sports bottles and so on. The space required is very small, so perfect for example in a shop or home with limited available space. This system while low in cost, uses high-quality equipment as your continued success is our success too. The mug press comes with a standard 11oz Mug element (suitable for 75% of all mugs available). Should you wish you can purchase additional elements for cone (latte) mugs, larger mugs and sports bottles, and also for smaller mugs.
How can you profit? To print a standard 11oz white mug costs R 18 which you can sell for
R 35 – R 85. A 600ml sports bottle will cost R 57 including the bottle and sells for R 150 – R 195
THE SYSTEM INCLUDES:
✓ SAWGRASS ™ SG500 UHD Gel Printer (A4) – 2-year warranty (as long as sawgrass inks are used) ✓ SAWGRASS ™ Ultra High-Definition Sublimation Inks – Starter pack ✓ MUGGIT ™ Lime Mug Press – which does all 11oz standard Mugs ✓ SAWGRASS ™ Print manager for sublimation + Training Videos + Manuals ✓ Premium grade Heat Tape , Scraper ✓ Training Videos + Manuals + Cost Calculator + Templates + Training Video Links + Marketing Guide ✓ 24x White Premium Mugs ✓ 12x Colour change matte black mugs ✓ Transfer Paper – Pack of 50 sheets of Sublimation Paper ✓ FREE Corel Draw Essentials Software
R 13,144.26 + VAT = R 15,115.90
UPGRADES OR EXTRAS YOU CAN ADD TO THE SYSTEM: • Optional elements for mug press – 6oz Espresso Mug R 631.35 / 600ml Sports Bottle R 1,261.55 • Or add an A4 T-shirt press (23 x 30cm) ……………………………………… R 3,783.50 (incl.) • Add a business vinyl cutter (Cameo 5) highly recommended …………. R 7,297.90 (incl.) • Add a 3-piece Hook Set to make weeding vinyl a breeze ……………… R 102.35 (incl.)
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MUGGIT ™ 3C BASIC – VERSATILE SUBLIMATION SYSTEM
This system comes standard with the Sawgrass high- quality A4 printer with Ultra High Definition inks - An A3 printer is also available. WHAT CAN YOU PRINT WITH THIS SYSTEM? - You can print almost everything made for sublimation printing. - Items include Metals, ceramics, plastics, fabrics, wood, magnets, sublimer, hardboard, coated bamboo, plates, and caps. IS THE SYSTEM PROFITABLE? Profit is often considered to be only the difference between cost and selling price, but what few people consider is that the quality of the equipment, how long it lasts and whether it can be repaired is even
more important to gauge whether a system is profitable. Also if you are using the lowest grade raw materials resulting in your customer rejecting the order, you are not profiting at all. Profits range from 50% - 200% depending on the product and your market. WHO IS THIS SYSTEM SUITABLE FOR? This system is aimed at small & home businesses, not intending to produce huge volumes. This system includes a combination Mug, T-shirt, Cap & Plate press . The mug press has additional elements for different size mugs.
THE SYSTEM INCLUDES:
✓ SAWGRASS ™ SG500 UHD Gel Printer (A4) – 2-year warranty (as long as sawgrass inks are used) ✓ SAWGRASS ™ Ultra High-Definition Sublimation Inks – Starter pack ✓ MUGGIT ™ High Pressure T-shirt & Tile press – 38 x 38cm 8-in-1 Press 2-year warranty on Tshirt element ✓ MUGGIT ™ Mug Attachment – Full wrap-around, with 4 x elements – 6-month warranty ✓ MUGGIT ™ Plate Attachments – For pressing side & dinner plates – 6-month warranty ✓ MUGGIT ™ Cap attachment – 2-year warranty ✓ SAWGRASS ™ Print manager for sublimation + Training Videos + Manuals ✓ Heat Tape + USA Teflon Sheet + A4 Nomex Pad + Timer + Scraper/Squeegee ✓ Training Videos + Manuals + Cost Calculator + Templates + Training Video Links + Marketing Guide ✓ Transfer papers – For Sublimation and Light Cotton ✓ MUGGIT ™ Coating film – This allows you to coat your own products for sublimation ✓ 6 x White premium mugs ✓ 1x Coaster Sublimer 2T 9.5cm Round , 1x Coaster Sublimer 2T 9.5cm Square ✓ Pack of 5 Sublimer Keyrings ✓ FREE Corel Draw Essentials Software
R 19,885.30 + Vat = R 22,868.10
UPGRADES OR EXTRAS YOU CAN ADD TO THE SYSTEM: • Add a business vinyl cutter (Cameo 5) highly recommended ………………. • Add a 3-piece Hook Set to make weeding vinyl a breeze ……………………
R 7,297.90 (incl.) R 102.35 (incl.)
• Upgrade to an A3 Sublimation printer ……………………………………... .Add R 22,995.40 (incl.)
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MUGGIT ™ 3C PRO – PROFESSIONAL, VERSATILE SUBLIMATION SYSTEM
The Muggit 3C Pro system, is very similar to the 3C basic, with the exception that:
– This system includes a separate mug and T-shirt presses, so you can produce larger volumes. – The Mug press is our largest (able to decorate bottles almost 30cm tall) and also our most versatile with a number of elements for different mug sizes and shapes available for a small extra cost. – A Silhouette Cameo 5 business vinyl cutter is included. This allows for an added income stream from the decoration of items with heat transfer vinyl (such as safety jackets, sportswear, casual wear and so on as well as signage.
If you are intending to use the system in a shop or business environment, then the Muggit 3C Pro is the smallest system you should be looking at. The only thing we would recommend adding to this system is a DTF print system. WHAT OTHER OPTIONS CAN I GET ON THIS SYSTEM? An upgrade to an A3 sublimation printer is an excellent investment – The A3 has lower print costs and is a more industrial machine while allowing you to decorate an even wider variety of products. A dedicated cap press is also a good idea as is a craft oven which coupled with the heat shrink bags will allow you to produce higher volumes, full wrap-around prints, and decorate items which are extremely difficult with a press such as bowls. THE SYSTEM INCLUDES: ✓ SAWGRASS ™ SG500 UHD Gel Printer (A4) – 2-year warranty (as long as sawgrass inks are used) ✓ SAWGRASS ™ Ultra High-Definition Sublimation Inks – Starter pack ✓ SILHOUETTE ™ Cameo 5 business vinyl cutter – With the included software ✓ MUGGIT ™ 38 x 38cm T-shirt & Tile press – Clamshell Press 2-year warranty on the element ✓ MUGGIT ™ Mug Press Tumbler – extra wide mug press, with two included elements - one long element for tumblers one 11oz element to do standard 11oz size mugs. ✓ SAWGRASS ™ Print manager - for sublimation ✓ A3 Nomex Pad + USA Teflon sheet + Scraper + 3 pcs Cameo Hook Set + Digital timer + Heat Tape ✓ Training Videos + Manuals + Cost Calculator + Templates + Training Video Links + Marketing Guide ✓ Transfer papers – For Sublimation, Light Cotton, and Sublimation flex ✓ MUGGIT ™ Coating film – This allows you to coat your own products for sublimation ✓ 12x White premium mugs ✓ 1x Sublimer circle and a pack of 5 Sublimer Keyrings ✓ FREE Corel Draw Essentials Software R 26,637.68 + VAT = R 30,633.33 UPGRADES OR EXTRAS YOU CAN ADD TO THE SYSTEM: • Upgrade to an A3 Sublimation printer (Highly Recommended) ……………........... add R 22,995.40 (incl.) • Upgrade to a 50 x 40cm High-pressure clamshell press (2-year warranty) ………. add R 3,045.25 (incl.) • Some of the Elements you can add to the mug press: 10oz Element R 631.35 (incl), Cone 12oz element R 895.85 (incl.), Cone 17oz element R 1,018.04 (incl.) and more.
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AN INTRODUCTION TO PRESTIGE DTF PRINTING TECHNOLOGY
DTF (Direct-to-film) technology is a modern version of an old technology that uses a special ink which is printed onto a film. White ink is printed on top of the colour inks- This becomes the base colour when the image is transferred onto fabric and is the reason this technology works so well on dark fabrics. When the print comes out of the printer it’s still wet and a powder is sprinkled onto the wet ink. This powder is the glue that adheres the print to the fabric. After this, it’s cured and pressed with a heat press onto the fabric item.
Is DTF only for Fabric items?
For fabric and other porous substrates only. It will not work on metal, glass, ceramics and so on.
Who should look at DTF?
Anyone who has a demand for printed shirts or other fabrics on a regular basis and who needs excellent quality coupled with low print cost and excellent washability.
There is no other process that can produce this quality at this price that lasts as long.
This process is so revolutionary that even companies traditionally only doing silkscreen printing (which has been the standard for wash durability for decades) are starting to move to DTF for their full- colour work. Even companies using heat transfer vinyl primarily are moving to DTF because the cost saving is huge with zero weeding of unwanted areas. Print costs on DTF are much lower than ANY other transfer process. The film is cheaper and so is the ink with durability not possible with other processes. The total DTF print cost is under R 20 per A3 whereas just the paper for dark shirts on other technologies costs more than the total DTF print cost.
RIP Software, do I need it?
In addition to the printer, powder, film and inks, RIP (Raster Image Processing) software is essential. Without a RIP there’s no way to tell the printer where to apply the white (critical when decorating a dark substrate) and tell the printer how much ink to apply. You also need the RIP for accurate colour matching. By making sure the correct amount of ink is applied for each image, the RIP also saves you money. Many low-end competing systems are supplied with a pirate copy of a sub-standard RIP often with no profiles for the printer they are supplied with. When you have a problem you’re on your own.
JG Electronics ONLY supplies systems with an OEM CADLINK DTF RIP Licence.
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Is DTF for everyone?
Yes and no. If you are going to be printing daily and have a market for it, then yes absolutely (as long as you are willing to spend the time doing the daily maintenance DTF printers require). The smaller units need more maintenance than the more industrial units which take care of most of the maintenance automatically. If you are only going to print occasionally it's then best to have the prints done for you, until you can justify your own machine. We have partnered with a local company that has purchased our A2 Industrial solution and they will be doing prints. They are next door to our Joburg offices. Here are the contact details for them:
Epic Distribution
Email: info@epicdistribution.co.za
Tel: 0101577007
Address: 42 Neeron Road, Randburg, Johannesburg
It’s critical that a DTF machine NOT be exposed to temperatures over 30C with humidity levels to be between 35-65%.
DTF Wash durability
DTF prints are the 2nd most durable digital transfer after sublimation and the most durable digital transfer on cotton. The combination of ink and film used determines the durability. The best ink comes from Korea and the cheapest from China. Professional Chinese DTF manufacturers only use Korean ink. There are companies selling dirt-cheap inks/ films which have poor washability and result in cancelled orders and unhappy customers.
The choice of ink, coupled with film and powder is crucial to achieving the best washability of the product. Skimping on one of these can lead to undesirable results.
We have tested our film and inks to 50 wash and tumble dry cycles with excellent results!
DTF Print heads used
The print heads used in DTF can be the secret to your success or failure. In order to keep prices low many companies use reconditioned or even B-grade heads which have been rejected by Epson, Prestige uses only A-grade print heads purchased from Epson in Japan. Many A3 dual head printers (dual head = much faster print speed) use an XP600 head to keep costs down but the problem here is that the XP600 heads only last 4-6 months and can trap air which is what reduces their lifespan. Also, they have only 1080 nozzles. A higher nozzle count = better colours and higher speed.
The I- series heads are Epson’s Industrial print heads with a native resolution of 600dpi and 1600 / 3200 nozzles depending on the head. They cost more but last way longer and work out more cost-effectively over time.
To ensure good operation of your DTF printer
I t’s essential that your humidity levels in the area where your printer sits range between 40 -80%. You must purchase a hygrometer (you can buy online for under R 200) and a humidifier without adding any aromatic oils or scents (these are widely available).
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Prestige DTF Printer Comparison 2024
Approx. print head lifespan
Printer Size
Print head used
Print speed
Market
A4
Epson L805
6 months
0.5m2 / hour
Home user
A3
Epson I1600 dual-head
1.5 – 2 Years
3-5m2 / hour
Print shop
A2
Epson I3200 dual-head
1.5 – 2 Years
4-7.5m2 / hour
Industrial use
Auto vs manual power shakers and curing ovens
Low-end DTF systems use just the powder and a tray and you have to put the powder on the print and shake it by hand to spread the powder, then either bake the powder until it fused with the inks under your heat press or more recently with an infrared oven. This process is very inefficient but is fine for a low-speed printer like the A4 unit. We do however recommend an infrared oven with a filter system so that you’re not breathing in the fumes as the powder cures on the print.
More advanced systems like the one pictured above automate the process. The print comes out of the printer and feeds directly into the auto shaker and curing unit ensuring an even layer of powder and perfect curing of the powder coupled to an auto take-up spooler so you can leave the printer to churn out prints while you do other work. Our units have an integrated air filter system with user-replaceable filters.
Are all DTF systems the same?
Sadly no. We have purchased numerous machines from different suppliers only to be disappointed every time due to poor print quality (or in most cases being unable to even make 1 print) and reliability issues. The Prestige (formerly known as Galaxy) are the only ones which we feel comfortable selling. They are designed by an American company and include technology not found on cheap units which reduces the maintenance required to keep the machine working and make no mistake, DTF printers do require ongoing maintenance. Should you not be a hands-on person we would recommend you stick with sublimation and let our partner produce your prints.
Just like the solar industry, the DTF industry is full of cowboys. Everyone is happy to sell you a machine but few are willing to support it in the long run. Often you get manuals written in bad English or no manual at all and if your machine breaks there are no spares or technical know-how to repair the issue.
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JG Electronics supplies you with manuals, training videos, a maintenance kit for your printer and extensive tech support. We’ve been in the business of selling systems for over 3 3 years, so we’ve got the hang of it. JG Electronics stocks a wide range of spares including pumps, motors, logic boards, piping, and print heads so that if there’s an issue it can be resolved quickly. Despite our technical expertise and background we also got caught by early DTF machines where the sample units were perfect but the machines we ordered were not (and we only realised the issue after the machines were out in the field for some months). This is the reason we have been very cautious since and only release new models after extensive local testing to local conditions. Things we learnt the hard way about DTF When we got into DTF we believed the manufacturer's claims but we found out the following the hard and expensive way: Almost any Epson printer can be converted to DTF but sadly they don’t work very long. Often they don’t even work straight out of the box. They are MUCH cheaper than printers built specifically for DTF but they are a waste of money. Looking online you can buy a DTF printer for under 20K from China. Rather take that money to the casino, you have a better chance of winning.
Issues with converted printers:
1. The printer itself was never designed to print continuously so the motors in the printer start heating up. When this happens the print speed drops dramatically. Eventually, the printer stops and flashes the red lights of death. At this point, if you’re lucky when it cools down it starts working again. If not one or more motors need to be replaced. 2. The print heads were made for home printing and certainly not manufactured for DTF inks so head blockages and head failures are common. 3. The electronics of the print head aren’t sealed so any ink spill and the head electronics as well as the motherboard of the printer blows. 4. Parts are a massive problem as the motherboards for example are modified by the manufacturer. Even buying a new motherboard from Epson won’t get the machine up and running again. You need the exact board from the manufacturer of the machine. 5. Replacement print heads vary in price. The cheap print heads are not new - Merely cleaned and sold to unsuspecting buyers. Their lifespan is short (if they work at all). 6. There are loads of videos online that will show the user how to replace the print head but they don’t tell the user that the process is very dangerous. A single head cable not inserted properly or misaligned can blow the print head AND the motherboard. 7. The capping station (where the head sits when either doing a cleaning cycle or resting) blocks up and needs to be replaced often. 8. The DTF ink gums up (and sometimes eats into) the rubber gasket that seals the head when it’s on the capping station and it no longer seals leading to head blockages and more costly repairs. 9. The ink pipes going from the bottles to the pipes weren’t designed for thicker DTF ink so they block or burst – more costly repairs. 10. With the film not being completely opaque, you will sometimes get a head strike which damages the print head.
Don’t be led astray but low prices and false promises – You will come to regret it.
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What makes our DTF different to other systems:
Our machines are not just modified Epsons. Yes, they use Epson parts like the printer carriage, but the electronics and software are custom-made for DTF.
The heads used in all our DTF machines are purchased NEW from Epson Japan. Many competing systems have rejected or reconditioned heads which don’t last long.
The A4 unit is a great introduction to DTF and prints at around 0.5m2 per hour so it’s perfect for someone who wants to test the waters of DTF without spending a lot of money.
The A3 unit uses dual Industrial Epson I1600 print heads. These are the same heads used in large-format production machines like Eco-Solvent, UV printing and so on. Most A3 dual-head machines use the XP600 head which while better than an office-grade print head is not the best solution as it can trap air which reduces the lifespan of the print head. The I1600 print head lasts 3 to 4 times longer than an XP600 print head and is far less likely to block. The A2 unit uses dual Industrial Epson I3200 print heads and has advanced functions like auto-cleaning, intelligent ink level monitoring, white ink circulating system and a vacuum system. The I1600 and I3200 print heads only differ in the amount of nozzles on the head. Why A2 and not A1 ? A t- shirt’s maximum width is A2. If you buy an A1 printer you waste time cutting the film to fit a shirt and waste money for no benefit.
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MUGGIT ™ 4 PRESTIGE A4 DIRECT-TO-FILM PRINTING SYSTEM The PRESTIGE A4 roll fed DTF system is an ideal entry-level system for anyone wanting to get into DTF on a budget. It can transfer onto almost any porous substrate (which means a substrate that will absorb water) with some users telling us their success in printing items which they should not be able to (like diaries).
DTF is the best technology for printing cotton light and dark materials with fantastic detail, bright colours, low costs and amazing wash durability (in our tests after 50 washes the print still looks amazing with no signs of wear). . It’s even being used to replace heat transfer vinyl because there is no cutting, no weeding, no tracing of images and it’s much cheaper to do even counting the maintenance these printers require.
This technology is however NOT suitable for people who will only do the odd print here and there , people who don’t want to do daily maintenance and people in
hot climates with no aircon. If your intended volumes are going to be low rather get the material printed for you.
This printer takes 5 minutes to print a full colour, full coverage A4 page, while the adding of the powder, curing and transferring takes a maximum of 2 minutes in total. Our systems include the best quality inks and film we can get along with a high- definition powder with a particle size of under 80 microns to ensure all the fine detail in the print transfers. Fiery Cadlink DTF raster image processing (RIP) software is included with this system. What does it cost to print? Film cost (per 20 x 30cm) – R 2.65, Ink cost R 3.65, Powder cost R 2.75 – Total R 9.05 (Ex VAT) with 65% coverage and R 12.60 (ex VAT) with 100% coverage. Maintenance costs – To cover the costs of maintenance including eventual print head replacement we suggest adding R 2.00 to each print. This makes it the cheapest of all the transfer technologies especially when you factor in that it can also print white. Some bureaus are selling the print alone for over R65.00 without transferring it. DTF does require some hands-on maintenance so it’s not suitable for people who don’t want to clean print heads, get ink on their hands, change out ink pipes and so on. The printer should be used often to prevent the head from blocking but should it not be used often there is preventative maintenanc e the user can perform to ensure the heads and pipes don’t block. The automatic shaker oven is perfect for production volumes. If you are going to do small volumes, you can shake the powder onto the print by hand and use the infrared curing oven (optional extras) which is essential to ensure even curing. Some people put the print into an oven or heat press to cure but results are unpredictable and can result in the shirt being rejected. The beauty of using the automatic shaker & curing unit is that you can set the printer to print and do something else while the print is being made ready for transfer. This system should not be confused with UV-DTF which is a system that prints stickers primarily for hard surfaces. Some unscrupulous sellers are telling prospective customers that a UV DTF can also print fabrics. This is NOT the case.
THE SYSTEM INCLUDES:
✓
PRESTIGE A4 DTF Roll Printer DTF Premium Powder 1kg
✓
✓ Cadlink DTF RIP – Digital Factory DTF Edition Rip for desktop DTF printers (A3 & A4) - For Windows ONLY
✓ DTF Ink Set CMYKWW – 1 bottle each CMYK + 2 Bottles White Premium DTF Ink 240ml starter pack ✓ DTF Film DS Roll 20 Instant 25 – Prestige Premium DTF Film -20cm*25M/roll- Both sides printable - Instant peel. ✓ DTF Cleaning Fluid 100ml – Cleaning fluid for DTF printer - 100ml ✓ DTF Maintenance Fluid – DTF Maintenance fluid. Put on a waste ink pad when not using the printer to keep heads wet and reduce blockages.100ml bottle ✓ Trim Tool – For cutting the print R 39,134.60 + VAT = R 45,004.79
UPGRADES OR EXTRAS YOU CAN ADD TO THE SYSTEM: • DTF Shaker Oven with Purifier……………………………………………………… • DTF Curing Oven 50 x 40cm ……………………………………………………… • Add a Muggit 38x 38cm High-pressure T-shirt press ……………………… ..........
R 18,969.25(incl.) R 10,919.25 (incl.) R 4,999.00 (incl.)
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MUGGIT ™ 4-1 PRESTIGE A3 DIRECT-TO-FILM INDUSTRIAL PRINTING SYSTEM The PRESTIGE A3 DTF system is the ideal production system for business use . It’s an industrial-quality printer and is manufactured for DTF specifically. IT IS NOT A CONVERTED EPSON. It has dual Epson I1600 industrial-grade print heads for maximum longevity at an affordable price. It has dual Epson I1600 industrial-grade print heads for maximum longevity at an affordable price.
The I1600 head means it is up to 10x faster than a converted Epson with far better colours. Being industrial-grade they typically last 3-4 times longer than non-industrial heads used on cheaper printers.
This printer requires far less maintenance than the A4 unit (and all converted Epsons) as it does its own maintenance when needed (assuming it’s left on and connected
to an inverter during load shedding). There is still some maintenance required.
As with the A4 unit, it should not be operated in an environment with a room temperature higher than 30C and relative humidity should be in the 35-65% range. We do not sell the A3 Epson conversion DTF printers as they are nothing but trouble. Cheaper to buy for sure but nothing but trouble to operate. This printer takes around 1-2 minutes to print a full colour, full coverage A3 plus page (33 x 42cm) depending on the resolution selected and number of passes, while the adding of the powder, curing and transferring takes a maximum of 2 minutes in total. Our systems include the best quality inks and film we can get along with a high-definition powder with a particle size of under 80 microns to ensure all the fine detail in the print transfers and the print is more flexible which is essential on sports garments. Cadlink DTF raster image processing (RIP) software is included with this system. What does it cost to print? Film cost (per 33 x 42cm) – R 5.10, Ink cost R 7.00, Powder cost R 5.50 – Total R 17.60 (Ex VAT) with 65% coverage and R 27.00 (ex VAT) with 100% coverage. Maintenance costs – To cover the costs of maintenance including eventual print head replacement we suggest adding R 3.10 to each print as a print cost. Even adding in the maintenance cost this is a fraction of what just the paper costs excluding inks for any other technology to print a dark shirt and none of them come even close to the durability of DTF. Just the paper for a white toner laser, by comparison, is over R 60 for A3. DTF does require some limited hands-on maintenance so it’s not suitable for people who don’t want to get ink on their hands, change out ink pipes and so on. The printer should be used often to prevent the head from blocking but should it not be used often as long as it’s left on it will auto - maintain itself as long as the environment it’s in is below 30C. The automatic shaker oven is perfect for this system and we don’t recommend the separate IR oven. Due to the speed of the machine, not using the automatic shaker oven curing unit with auto take-up roller and air filtration you will obliterate the benefits of this faster machine.
THE SYSTEM INCLUDES:
✓
PRESTIGE A3 DTF Roll Printer
✓ DTF Premium High-resolution Powder 1kg ✓ Cadlink DTF RIP – Digital Factory DTF Edition Rip for desktop DTF printers (A3 & A4) - For Windows ONLY ✓ DTF Ink Set CMYKWW – 1 bottle each CMYK + 2 Bottles White Premium DTF Ink 500ml ✓ DTF Film DS Roll – Prestige Premium R2 DTF Film – 330mm x 100M/roll - Hot & Cold Peel ✓ DTF Cleaning Fluid 100ml – Cleaning fluid for DTF printer - 100ml ✓ DTF Maintenance Fluid – DTF Maintenance fluid. Put on a waste ink pad when not using the printer to keep heads wet and reduce blockages.100ml bottle ✓ Trim Tool – For cutting the print ✓ Corel 2023 Technical Edition – Designing Software R 124,620.60 + VAT = R 143,313.69
UPGRADES OR EXTRAS YOU CAN ADD TO THE SYSTEM: • DTF Shaker Oven with Purifier ………………………………………………………………. • Add a Muggit 50 x 40cm High-pressure T-shirt press (2- year warranty)…………….
R 18,969.25(incl.) R 8,044.25 (incl.)
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED?
1. You need a computer . We don’t sell computers. A PC or Mac will work, but a PC is preferable. The Software for the Sublimation printers doesn’t work on a Mac. You need to have at least Windows 10 (64-bit version ideally). 2. You need a graphics program which supports colour matching, or else your colours come out wrong – this is why we supply CorelDRAW Essentials ™ with our systems. 3. Teflon – this is used to protect the press so that inks from the transfer process don’t leach into the rubber or dirt onto the heat platen, as this can blemish your transfers. 4. Nomex – this is a type of heat-resistant felt that is 1cm or so thick. When pressing onto tiles and other items with slightly curved edges, it allows the print to transfer over the edge, thus giving you better-finished quality. 5. You need to NOT have a fear of selling else your business is doomed.
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS WITH YOUR COMPANY?
• You can buy a complete system or bits and pieces • You can add or subtract from any system • We accept Lay-bye arrangements (max 6 months and subject to terms and conditions)
WHY ARE YOU USING SAWGRASS PRINTERS?
• They are manufactured SPECIFICALLY for Sublimation • 4880 x 1200dpi resolution • 2 -year warranty on the printer (as long as Sawgrass inks are used and the printer is used often) • Uses sealed cartridges – no mess and no fuss • Uses Sawgrass Ultra High -Definition ink ensuring vivid colours and excellent detail • Full -Colour management on multiple substrates and papers through Virtuoso ™ software.
PLEASE NOTE FOR BEST RESULTS, WE RECOMMEND 64-bit Windows.
SAWGRASS INK VS OTHER INKS
Sawgrass invented the sublimation ink process for digital printers, yet others who made an inferior copy of their inks, claim their inks are the best. The joy of cheap ink is soon forgotten when the head inevitably blocks, or when the customer rejects the job because the ink has faded or the colour is just plain wrong.
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DISADVANTAGES OF DIRT-CHEAP PRESSES / SUBLIMATION SYSTEMS
1. They don’t keep stock of spares, so when something breaks, you’re stuck. 2. Equipment is often substandard.
3. Suppliers make amazing promises about supporting you 24/7 until you have a problem….... 4. Many suppliers are selling machinery for which they don’t have an LOA – see page 4. 5. Inferior inks can damage the print head which can cost the price of a new printer to replace. Cheap ink tends to fade quickly once transferred and exposed to sunlight. 6. Suppliers make claims that their equipment/inks/papers (which are cheap rip-offs of the original product) are better than the originals. This is regrettably not true. 7. Training and manuals are non-existent. If you buy cheap junk, it will be an expensive lesson……
WHY SHOULD I BUY FROM JG ELECTRONICS?
• We make our money from consumables. It’s in our best interest for you to be successful. • We are NOT the cheapest, which is why we have quality stock and spares readily on hand. • We are the importers / sole agents/distributors for the items we sell so you’re dealing with the source. • We provide Training Manuals, Training Videos, business guides, templates, marketing material, marketing guides, ongoing support and personal training (at our offices). • We have the widest range of consumables in Southern Africa. • We sell products based on their reliability and quality ONLY. • We have been in business for 33 years now, and our track record speaks for itself. • We are the company that customers who have bought cheap products elsewhere run to when they have problems – This says a lot. WHAT IF I HAVE A QUERY / PROBLEM LONG AFTER I HAVE PURCHASED MY EQUIPMENT? Your success is our success (as we make our money little by little over a long period on the consumables), so if you have a problem, please call/email us, so we can solve it for you. Please note that we cannot give support on products or equipment not purchased from ourselves though. I AM NOT SURE WHICH SYSTEM I WANT, CAN I COME IN AND LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS? Absolutely, we highly recommend you come in before you spend any money. You will sit down with one of our trained sales staff, and discuss your needs. You will then be given advice on which system best suits your needs, and the equipment will also be shown to you.
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