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Overview
[+] I would like to use rhinestones, but isn't it time consuming?At one time, this was true. With the CrystalPress the process is automated. Instead of drilling stencils and brushing the rhinestones into place, the CrystalPress places your design onto the heat transfer paper in a matter of minutes.
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[+] I have looked at automatic rhinestone machines before, they are just to expensive. Is the CrystalPress more of the same?
It is true that automatic rhinestone placement systems can be very expensive ($20K-$45K). Ioline engineers found a way to simplify a complicated process, reduce cost, and yet provide a high speed commercial grade rhinestone setter with integrated simple software.
- [+] How does the CrystalPress work?
The CrystalPress is so easy to use that the user can be creating elaborate designs in a matter of minutes. Once the CrystalPress is hooked up, it can receive a design from its own design software, clipart or Corel or Adobe Illustrator. The machine uses a pick and place tool to grab rhinestones from the sorter bowl and places them on the heat transfer paper in the specified pattern at a rate of 3000 per hour.
Once the design is complete, it can be taken straight to the heat press to be affixed to a garment. The CrystalPress can create a series of the same design, or create a one of a kind motif in just minutes.
- [+] I use pre-made rhinestone motifs now. What could I expect to gain by purchasing the CrystalPress
Purchasing a CrystalPress for your shop will give you the flexibility and creative freedom to create any design that comes to mind. You will not have to wait for orders to arrive, and there will be no minimum orders to fufill.
You will also be able to create quick samples on the spot, demonstrating your creative abilities and closing sales.
Design Capabilities
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[+] Can I create designs with the CrystalStudio software?
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CrystalStudio is not a drawing program. It digitizes completed designs to create stone placement and instructs the CrystalPress where to place the stones. In order to edit or create entirely custom designs, you will need a vector-based drawing program such as CorelDRAW!® or Adobe Illustrator®.
- [+] Do I need to know how to draw to use the CrystalPress?
Not at all. You could simply purchase a collection of stock designs and never have to use a drawing program.
With some very basic instruction, though, you can quickly learn how to modify existing designs in CorelDraw!® or another program. For instance, to change a font or add a tail.
Many newbies have learned how to tweak art and create custom designs with great success. Drawing programs can seem complex, but fortunately, you really only need to know about 20% of the program to get it to do what you need. We'd encourage you to get your feet wet and learn some drawing basics, as it is a skill that can help you gain more control over lead time and expenses, not to mention influence customer satisfaction.
There are some free training tools on the Web and numerous third-party professional training classes available. Because so many drawing programs are used with the CrystalPress, we do not offer training on third-party software. However, if you'd like help finding a class, please contact Ioline Sales.
- [+] What design software will the CrystalPress work with?
The CrystalPress is compatible with CorelDRAW®! and Adobe Illustrator®
- [+] Does it place rhinestones on lines only, or can it fill a shape?
The CrystalPress can make an outline or fill a shape.
- [+] How many colours/sizes of stones can it use at once?
The CrystalPress comes with 1 sorter bowl. The bowl can hold 1 size/colour at a time. The machine can be upgraded to 2 sorter bowls, allowing the use of 2 colours/sizes to be used at once.
- [+] How fast does it place rhinestones? What's the throughput?
The CrystalPress can place 3000+ rhinestones per hour.
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Maintenance & consumables
[+] What's involved with maintaining the CrystalPress?The CrystalPress is nearly maintenance-free. There's no lubrication nor periodic adjustments required. Simply keep it clean.
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[+] What
consumables are used with the system?
The CrystalPress uses sticky heat transfer paper and rhinestones.
The sticky paper is where the rhinestone design is placed, you can take the paper straight from the CrystalPress to the Heat Press.
Rhinestones can be purchased at a variety of online stores. They come in varying degrees of quality and brilliance. Ioline recommends that you research the rhinestones that best fit your design needs.
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Hardware, installation & warranty
[+] What are the hardware and electrical requirements?The CrystalPress runs on a PC running Windows® 2000, XP, or Vista®.
In terms of electrical requirements, the CrystalPress needs about the same amount of power as an office printer.
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[+] Will the CrystalPresswork with a MAC?
The 300 System is compatible with Windows® PCs only.
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[+] What's involved with installing the CrystalPress?
Installation is nearly identical to that of an office printer. The CrystalPress sits on a table and plugs into the PC via a serial or USB cable. Install the CrystalStudio Software that comes with the cutter, and you're done.
- [+] What's the warranty?
One year full warranty on parts & labour.
