Standards
Editorial policy
The short version: every fact has a source, every page says whether we tested anything, and nobody can pay to change what we write.
Sources
- Every specification and number on a product page links to where it came from: usually the manufacturer’s own product page or manual, otherwise official documentation, government data or a reputable publication.
- Where sources disagree, we say so and show both. Where we cannot verify a claim, we leave it out or label it unverified.
- Owner reports (forums, community groups) are quoted as owner reports, with a link, never as our findings.
- We do not copy manufacturer marketing copy or use retailer star ratings.
We label what we know
Every product and guide carries a status: researched (sources only), in lab or tested. We never write "we tested", "hands-on" or "in our testing" about something we have not tested. Until a machine has been through a published protocol, it gets no score and no verdict. Picks in research-stage guides are based on published specs and stated use cases, and the guide says so.
Business numbers
Profit, payback and pricing figures are examples built on stated assumptions (material cost, your hourly rate, marketplace fees), which our tools let you change. They are not financial advice or a promise of income.
Independence
- We earn affiliate commissions (see our disclosure). Commission rates and whether a brand has an affiliate program play no part in picks or rankings.
- We do not accept payment for coverage, placement or links. Brands may send information and corrections like anyone else; they never see a page before it is published.
- Lab machines are bought at retail. Any exception is disclosed at the top of the page.
How we use AI tools
We use AI tools to help with drafting, structure, code for our calculators and checking consistency across pages. AI tools never produce test results, measurements or quotes, and they are not a source: every fact must trace to a cited source or to our own lab data. Pages are reviewed by an editor against their sources before publication, and we are responsible for everything we publish, however it was drafted.
Updates
Prices and availability change fast; specs and product lines change too. Each page shows its last-updated date, and significant changes (a new pick, a retest, a correction) are logged in the page’s update log. We review our main buying guides at least every six months.
Corrections
If we get something wrong, we fix it and say what changed. See our corrections policy or write to corrections@kerfandpress.com.
Safety
Lasers, heat presses and curing ovens can injure people and start fires. We include safety notes where they matter and link to official guidance. They do not replace the manufacturer’s manual or local rules.