lining up images straight

[omar78]

Setup my Ricoh printer over the weekend..

I've subbed some keyrings and fridge magnets.. but they have come out a bit slanted... I did use heat tape..

Is there a trick to this .. or just practise?

quite addictive, this sublimating lark

[Justin]

Are you printing a little extra around the edges (bleed) ?

[omar78]

Well the background is white.. so it's a bit more tricky for me to line up..

[Justin]

How about an outline 2mm outside of your image? bear in mind the outline will also sublimate so you will need a cover sheet.

[mrs maggot]

yep on a sheet for keyrings or other little bits of metal, put an outline 2mm outside of the items, then lay and tape them on -using the lines to centre them on the designs - you may find the spay easier than the tape, but if you are taping, just tape a tiny bit on one side - do them all on the same side, then when you press, you can just lift the corner of the sheet up and all of the metal items will drop away from the print, and you can peel them once a bit cooler

[Developit]

Oh Laura what a timely reply from you about this. I'm sitting here thinking about how to print out a lot of metal discs. Tape one side and flip = brilliant.
I'll be trying this method for sure

[mrs maggot]

well its worked for me for a while, although you can leave them to cool down, but that means leaving them under the press, as otherwise if you move them without getting them off the paper you can get a shadowing effect, so i leave a bit of a margin on one side and pull, occasionally some will drop of which is fine, but it works for me

[Developit]

Will save my fingers getting burnt. Amazing as I was sitting thinking of the logistics of taping vs spray or no tape about 5min before I read your reply.

[omar78]

Hmmm... beginners error for me I think ..I've been cutting out the shapes and sticking onto each keyring (they were different shapes..) and pressing individually.. Agreed it would be easier to lay all items onto the paper, tape..then press.. Thanks!

[Mark S]

Hi omar78
We were also struggling with this especially with the metals we have just started using but after seeking advice from nicci at subli metals we have found a much easier way
print the images with a 2mm bleed area place the sheet on the press face up and then place the keyring clock etc face down lay the teflon sheet over the top and press @
180 deg for 50 sec's medium pressure
with no tape holding them down as the heat proof tape leaves a fade over the finished item

hope this helps