Prints come out light on soft polymer

[Post]

I'm trying to sublimate on a soft polymer (fluorelastomer). It's not an official sublimation blank, but an untreated product. However it seems to sublimate, although the output is very light at this point. So far I've tried the Sawgrass advised setting of 195C for 70 seconds.

The product hold fine under this temperature, no deformation and no decoloration.

Can anyone advise me on what to try next? Should I increase the temperature, timing, pressure or should I think about changing the color profile settings?

Thanks!

vB_ID:3623

patroon.jpg (23.35 KiB) Viewed 24 times

vB_ID:3623

patroon.jpg (23.35 KiB) Viewed 24 times

[JMugs]

I would up the time.

[Post]

So far I've tried 2,5min @ 195C, 4min @ 195C and 2,5min at 205C. All with little improvement. See picture from left to right.

Would changing the pressure be an option?

[JMugs]

The pressure only needs to be enough to ensure good contact. It is possible that the print you have is the best you will get. If too long or too hot it is possible for the image to fade back as the substrate starts to release the dye back out.
If playing with something new I start with a temperature and time, then increase the temp in 5 degree stages until I get an obvious overcook. If this doesn't work I go back to the original temperature, increase time in 10 second stages. If this still doesn't achieve success, I repeat with a new base temperature. Normally I will see a point in the either time or temperature that works better. So I can work around this point.
I am a slow methodical,pedantic pain in the ass! So this method may not be suitable for everybody.

Janners

[Quinsfan]

The pressure only needs to be enough to ensure good contact.

Why do some items require light pressure and some need medium or heavy then?

[JMugs]

Quinsfan what do you think pressure does? The answer is it makes a seal. As an example slates are uneven so if you don't make a good seal between slate and carrier you will get a gas blowout (smudge), if you want to wrap around the edge of a tile you need to press the tile into the felt to wrap the carrier around the edge. Aluminium is flat and stable hence it is easier to create a seal. MDF boards may (subject to conditions) want to twist when heated, hence pressure to stop that, if they don't twist light pressure will do.

Just a few examples.

Now I may be wrong here....but it works for me. However if others disagree I will not take offence, as always willing to learn.

Janners

[Quinsfan]

I was really asking so that we may all understand the process better and as you say, always willing to learn.

[JMugs]

I have just re-read my response and realized it sounds rather sarcastic..sorry wasn't supposed to, multitasking isn't my strong point.

I answer to the "Beep,Beep,Beep"

Janners

[Quinsfan]

Janners
Isn't it weird how different people read things. I never took any offence or thought you were being sarcastic. I am always wanting to learn. Sometimes I may post an obvious question that somone else is thinking but may be worried it was a silly questions so won't post it. Hope that makes sense.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk