The brief: the whole job, start to finish
Lessons used to happen on whichever machine was free in the workshop. That was fine for showing someone how to set blade depth. It fell apart when a learner wanted to take a design all the way through: cut it, weed it, press it and peel it.
Hlamalani Netshitenzhe, who coordinates our training, asked for a dedicated room where four or five people could finish a shirt, a mug and a cap in a single morning. That meant three stations:
- Station 1: a wider cutter that can contour-cut printed stickers and decals
- Station 2: a light flat press that will not intimidate a first-timer
- Station 3: one press that handles mugs, caps and plates without crowding the bench
Choosing the supplier
Thabo Maseko, our Managing Director, wanted every machine in the room to pay its way. We compared quotes from several suppliers. AM.CO.ZA explained clearly which models suit a teaching space, came in at the best price for the build quality we were shown, and their Johannesburg branch is a short drive from Kya Sand when a part is needed.
- Contour cutterThe V-Auto 900 mm wireless vinyl cutter reads registration marks and cuts around printed shapes on its own.
- Hobby pressThe Heatware Hobby 380 x 380 mm clamshell press runs off a wall plug and is light enough to carry.
- Five-in-one pressThe Heatware MT5 multi-function press takes flat, mug, cap and two plate heads.
Station 1: contour cutting
The V-Auto is a step up from the compact HTV cutter most of our home customers own, and we chose it for that reason. Learners watch it cut wall decor decals and printed sticker sheets, which shows them where their hobby can go. When someone is ready to upgrade, AM.CO.ZA’s contour vinyl cutter range includes smaller models too.
Sipho Nkosi, our Technical Support Lead, takes the blade and pressure part of the morning, working from the same steps as our first cutter checklist.
Station 2: the first press
Most learners have never closed a heat press before. The Hobby press has a small footprint, a simple clamshell action and a platen big enough for adult and kids’ shirts. This is where people press their first custom t-shirt, and plenty go on to try babywear personalising on it before they leave.
Station 3: one press, many surfaces
Swapping a head on the MT5 takes about a minute, so the same session can cover HTV on a cap and a vinyl wrap on a mug. Ruan Smit, our Workshop Technician, lays the spare heads out on the bench before each class so nobody waits for a turn.
Results after the first month
The first classes ran in October. Each learner walked out with a shirt, a mug and a decal they made themselves, and the questions afterwards were sharper: blade angles, material choice, time and temperature. Our HTV guides and the tips from weed faster at home now go home in the handout pack.
“Teaching is easier when the machines behave. AM.CO.ZA helped us pick kit a beginner can manage that still copes when every station is busy.”
Ayesha Daniels, Sales Manager
If you are planning a studio of your own, the AM.CO.ZA company guide is a useful read. To join a session, visit our Kya Sand studio page, ask about dates on the contact page, or get help with a machine you already own through support.
