talking SHOP Digital Decorating Sublimation Rising Finesse the press with profit-focused production. By Christopher Bernat, Contributing Writer A 20" x 25" swing-away press enables you to print a big graphic with great workflow. Stahls' often presents innovation in the manual press market. When using a heat press for sublimation transfers, profit is key and you should seek unique features on your heat press to ensure success. (Editor's Note: The recommendations in this article are solely from the perspective of apparel sublimation.) s ublimation continues to grow rapidly in today's marketplace - and why wouldn't it? The process is customization friendly; it can be applied to an array of blank apparel options available in the marketplace; and more and more people are buying performance apparel. With these elements in place, the only thing stopping you from long-term success 68 Impressions | October/November 2014 with sublimation is your own operational skill set and commitment to effectively implementing the technology. Let's first address the heat press and focus on the features you should seek. I also will take a look at how a unique heatpress configuration actually can increase your margins by reducing labor. Most of these tried-and-true methods show their positive impact (or lack of existence) on the press and can improve your likelihood of success. Taking the time to do things in an organized and consistent way will pay off in predictable quality and happy customers. So before we dig into presses, here are a couple of thoughts on printers and consumables (ink and paper). BIGGER CAN BE BETTER Large-format (42 inches and above) sublimation printers are the backbone of a profitable and flexible sublimation platform. Ink and paper costs are lower on a per-square-foot basis and color control is more precise. If you want to do output impressionsmag.comhttp://www.impressionsmag.com