The question we get every week at Ferru SpA is always the same: should I go with the 5-in-1 or jump straight to the 8-in-1? After 25 years in the industry and watching hundreds of workshops operate across Chile, here is the honest answer.
What each one includes
The 5-in-1 Machine (XY-008-5, $361,200 CLP) comes with five interchangeable modules covering the best-selling products in the sublimation market:
- Flat platen for t-shirts and polo shirts
- Curved cap attachment
- Mug and cylindrical tumbler attachment
- Plate attachment
- Small platen for patches and logos
The 8-in-1 Machine (XY-008-8, $467,000 CLP) adds three more modules:
- Second flat platen with larger surface area
- Flat/snapback cap attachment
- Bottles and thermal tumbler attachment
The price difference between the two is $105,800 CLP. The real question is not whether those three extra modules are worth the money, but how quickly you will recover that difference with the new substrates you can offer.
Analysis by workshop type
Workshops focused on textiles and mugs
If 70–80% of your production is t-shirts and standard mugs, the 5-in-1 gives you exactly what you need. The flat platen and mug attachment are the most-used modules — the rest complement when an occasional cap or plate order comes in. There is no point paying for three modules you will use once a month.
Workshops with a diversified catalogue or B2B orders
This is where the 8-in-1 starts to justify itself. If you handle corporate orders, uniforms, company gifts, or events, the probability of someone requesting snapback caps or personalised bottles is high. The bottle module lets you work with BY-A-AS001 and BY-A-AS002 from the Ferru SpA catalogue, which carry 60–70% margins over the blank cost.
Workshops looking to enter the flat-cap market
The snapback cap market has steady demand in Chile, especially among groups, sports teams, and companies. The 5-in-1 does not include this module. If this is part of your strategy, the price difference is recovered in just a few weeks of production.
Direct comparison
| Criteria | 5-in-1 ($361,200) | 8-in-1 ($467,000) |
|---|---|---|
| Included modules | 5 | 8 |
| Curved caps | Yes | Yes |
| Flat/snapback caps | No | Yes |
| Bottles and tumblers | No | Yes |
| Second flat platen | No | Yes |
| Max temperature | 250°C | 250°C |
| Display | Digital LCD | LCD with timer |
| Voltage | 220V / 110V | 220V / 110V |
The operational efficiency no one talks about
Swapping modules on a multifunction press takes 2–5 minutes. If your workshop has production peaks with a mix of substrates, that accumulated time adds up. In that scenario, the ideal setup is combining the 8-in-1 for specialty products with a dedicated flat press (XY-004C or XY-004D) for textile volume. That combination is what workshops scaling with more than one operator use.
Our direct recommendation
Choose the 5-in-1 if: your production is mainly t-shirts and mugs, your budget is tight, or you are equipping the workshop with a multifunction press for the first time.
Choose the 8-in-1 if: you already receive or want to capture flat cap or bottle orders, you work with corporate clients who request variety, or you want to position yourself as the workshop that does it all.
The difference pays back quickly. A sublimated 750ml bottle sells for between $12,000 and $20,000 CLP. With the blank at $2,200 (BY-A-AS001), the margin per unit covers the $105,800 price difference in the first 10–15 bottles you sell.
Have specific questions about your workshop? Write to us. We have been sublimating for 25 years and have probably already solved the problem you are anticipating.