Our LOVE is like a magnet – North & South Poles (opposites attract). Me and my husband have different views & opinions at most things but at the end of the day we always come up with the best results that we agreed together as one.
Just like pairing a machine with a software/(s), or pairing it with materials, or with other machines, or vise versa. There’s no right or wrong of pairing “same” brand or “different” brands when doing projects. Remember, crafters like us are like scientists who do trial and error; always experiment what is best for our projects to come up with the best results. In my experienced, I’m not afraid to try out different brand of machines such as HTV RONT Auto Tumbler Heat Press & HTV RONT Auto Heat Press 2. Actually, this is my first time to own them. The reason why I bought them was for sublimation projects. I have different heat presses and materials for many years before I got them. I’m excited to pair them as such!
My first project with my HTV RONT Auto Tumbler Heat Press came out perfectly, a gift for my Aunt (which was I shared the project to the community last year). NOTE: I didn’t do any dry run for that first attempt. The second project (which was I shared also) is a different story. I used two (2) different kind of HTV RONT sublimation papers - 125 GSM and the other one that came with the HTV RONT tumblers ( < 120 GSM). NOTE: GSM stands for “grams per square metre”. The higher the number, the heavier the paper and the more premium quality paper has. Based on my results; I am very satisfied with the outcome of my tumbler using the 125 GSM versus the one that came with the tumblers. Also, came out more vibrant! (TIP!: If you want to produce a high quality products for your business or gifts for your loved ones, use the 125 GSM ‘coz it has the capability of absorbing more ink than using a 120 GSM or less in my personal opinion). The ink level used from your printer was the same even if you programmed to print as “high” and “premium presentation matte for both”. The choices are yours to pick which material you will use in this case. THIS IS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF PAIRING.
On the other hand, my first project with my HTV RONT Auto Heat Press 2 was amazing!!! Again, this is my first time to use it without any dry run and on top of that I recorded it and shared to both HTV RONT & LokLik Communities. This was the Valentine’s Bow Sublimation on Sweatshirt (as a matter of fact, I’m wearing it today).
I used my Cricut Explore Air2 for cutting all my vinyl (I don’t own any Loklik/HTV RONT cutting machine at the moment). I know from my last experienced with Auto tumbler heat press, using 125 GSM produces a high-quality product therefore, I used it with the right pair of temperature, time, & pressure (scientific guess). I was so satisfied with the results. Looking forward to do more sublimation projects, you can’t be wrong to use HTV RONT 125 GSM Sublimation Paper.
Bottom line is, no matter what brand of machines you have on hand to pair with your software and or your materials, IT’S IN THE USER’S knowledge based on his/her experienced. The most important thing here is, don’t limit yourself for what you ONLY have, or you DON’T have 'coz your creativity is endless and limitless. We learn new things every day. Keep learning and LET’S MAKE IT!