Totally agree with paying more upfront to avoid a shutdown! We learned that the hard way on a big job last year. The cheap fittings we bought first failed after three days of hard use. Had to redo the whole line with the good stuff and eat the cost of lost time. Now we just buy the better grade from the start, no question.

My cousin bought a cheap heat press off some website last summer. Honestly, the vinyl still cracked after a few washes because she didn't press it hot enough or long enough. Tbh I feel like it's more about getting the technique right than just the machine. Seeing a bad result once can make you think all DIY shirts are trash. Ngl I'd probably just buy the shirts printed somewhere and save the headache.

Actually makes me think about how that minute is the only quiet time in the whole process. No phone, no talking, just you and the thing you're checking. That mental space catches stuff hustle mode misses.