Out with the Old, In with the S8 Stencil Printer
There are many tools that people can use to create their art in the tattoo industry. One of those valued tools is the 3M Thermo-Fax. While not an essential, it is a valuable tool because it can save artists time and money when it comes to stencil creation. The Thermofax was created back in 1950 by 3M (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing) to offer a printing method that did not require you to buy separate products for printing; such as inks, chemicals, printing plates, etc. Instead of buying those multiple products you could buy a “Spirit Master” sheet that contained everything you needed for printing. It wasn’t until 1959 with the first commercial sale of the Xerox machine, that the 3M Thermo-Fax was replaced, however over time it has been revived thanks to the tattoo industry.
3M Thermo-Fax machines have been around for a long time. With no new production of the machines, finding a functioning unit can be difficult. While many have started to manufacture “newer” models of traditional thermal duplicators, many never have that same success as the original. Some forgo the original copper plate design, and others refit old parts in new sleek cases. The high cost of repair and scarcity of parts make maintenance of Thermo-Fax machines increasingly difficult every year. That means you may take a gamble buying your next Thermo-Fax, new or old.
We reached out to Spirit Tattoo Products, they do Thermo-Fax repair, and we heard quotes on repair cost can range anywhere from $300-$600 for antiquated machines. While 3Ms may be saving time and money up front, they can cost you more time and money in the future. S8 isn’t trying to scare anyone, hell, some 3M Thermo-Fax machines may outlive a nuclear war! However, we are always interested in finding new products that can help replace older tools and give artists new tools that are built to last. S8 did this with the S8 Stencil Printer.
Launched in November of 2016, S8 Tattoo partnered with Brother Mobile Solutions to help get a new alternative to the 3M Thermo-Fax. The S8 Stencil Printer embraces the 3M Thermo-Fax idea by making sure you do not have to go out and buy any inks, chemicals, etc., and additionally offers portability that fits right in your backpack or tattoo convention go-bag. You could take the S8 Stencil Printer out to the desert and print your stencils with our optional Li-Ion battery (we don’t recommend this because you’ll be cleaning a lot of sand out of areas you don’t want to be, trust us). Our Li-Ion battery is rated for up to 100 prints on a full battery charge. The S8 Stencil Printer is developed to work with S8 Red Thermal and Spirit Thermal Paper. This means you can keep using the same products you have always used without having to buy anything new. We offer 3 models of the printer, a USB, Bluetooth, AirPrint, with each printer working for specific devices. USB is self-explanatory but when it comes to the wireless printing features our Bluetooth and AirPrint printers shine. Our Bluetooth printer will print through the Bluetooth feature on Windows and Android devices, while our AirPrint model will print through wireless on all Apple devices. No more tripping on wires or cords around the convention booth or tattoo shop.
While this may all sound intimidating, especially for people who aren’t tech literate, S8 is always here to help. From learning how to setup your printer, getting the right stencil printer, or help getting the perfect stencil print, S8 is only a phone call or email away Monday through Friday. If you have any questions about the S8 Stencil Printer or need any help please contact us at contact@s8tattoo.com or give us a call at (844) 524-9056. We hope to hear from you!
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