Savvas,
Buying a thermofoil press is not the easiest thing. It mainly depends upon the type of product you want to make and different types of foil. I ran actual production on these big iron machines. The vacuum only and the positive pressure presses each of their own advantages. It really depends upon the foil.
If you are running standard thickness foil and they don't care how even of how precise of a temperature you give. Then a vacuum only press will work. But if you are dealing with more of a thinner foil, or one affected by a temperature difference. Then a vacuum only press will not work. You would require a membrane to guarantee an even temperature.
It is had to advice which one will work better. But if you are just going to product mainly white foil products and the occasional colors. Then a vacuum only press would work. If you are wanting to get into the high glosses and some of the newer foils. You can still produce on a vacuum only press, but the results won't be as consistent and you can have some scrap per load.
The bigger machines offer a lot and help get material where it needs to go. But you can also do a lot with a smaller press. Just remember you will have some limitations on the smaller press and the complex profiles.
Johann Huck
The Machine Warehouse
704-839-6615
johann@themachinewarehouse.com