Sublistone/rock slate. Images looks faded. Metal panels - black isn't really black.

[enkaFG]

Hi,

I'm using Sawgrass printer, Sublijet HD inks, TruePix Classic paper. Power driver 4.

The same settings, same paper, on mugs colours are very vivid, black is true black but metal panels doesn't look good at all, black and darker colours are sort of faded, same on sublistone. Have followed provided times and temperature.

Yesterday I've done glass photo frame and colours looks just ugly when you take closer look.
And on the same heat press I used for sublistone and metal panels, sublimations on polymer coaster are all good, grat colours and true deep black.

Any ideas what may cause those issues with faded colour?
Time? Too short, too long?
Temp?

Thanks in advance for an advice.

[mrs maggot]

did you change the settings in the printer, for the type of material you were using ? also what times and temps were you using for the metal items, what method ? ie: metal, plain paper to catch any bleeding then the image paper, then the metal, then a cover sheet so the heat goes through the metal onto the paper. i don't press stone so cannot help with that

[enkaFG]

Yes I've used settings for metal.

Teflon sheet
Plain paper
Transfer + metal image face down
Plain paper
Teflon sheet
Press.

I've done one with 190 for 60sec
Another with same temperature but 120 sec.
Manufacturers says 60-70 sec.
They were both different panels, different suppliers.
But black colour on the one I've pressed for longer were much better.

[mrs maggot]

I think you are too hot, this is what i use - i have good results Aluminium at 170-185 degrees C for 40-60 seconds at light/medium presssure.

[Justin]

Are these Chromaluxe panels? I always press metal side up, 197c for 90 secs and they look great. Other metals I reduce the temp.

When you say stone, do you mean rock slates? If so, I press for 500 secs at 197c, medium pressure.

[enkaFG]

Thanks, I'll try to reduce temperature next time just for a test. But if it's down to too high temp, why does the one I've pressed with the same temp for longer have better colours...
What is actually happening to sublimation ink or polymer coating when temperature is too high?

[enkaFG]

Are these Chromaluxe panels? I always press metal side up, 197c for 90 secs and they look great. Other metals I reduce the temp.

When you say stone, do you mean rock slates? If so, I press for 500 secs at 197c, medium pressure.

They weren't Chromaluxe. 2 advices from 2 guys, 2 different will try both, I'll try to go up with temperature and go down as well for another sample.
Maybe it's the press... I don't know

For the rock slate I've used exactly the same time as you buy a bit lower temp.

Thanks guys!

[mrs maggot]

i have always followed Sublimetals recommendations for pressing, and have never gone wrong with them - if you look them up they have pressing advice on their site, i know that Chromaluxe press differently

[enkaFG]

Thanks all.