Slight Clouding by handles. Any ideas?

[gazfocus]

Trying to print some mugs for a customer where the image needs to go slightly nearer to the handles than we usually go, but getting some clouding on both sides (as per photo). We are using the Galaxy mug press pro which has quite a large blanket and have tried all sorts of different pressures.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

[socialgiraffe]

You can't. Judging by the images provided you are trying to print beyond the limit of the mug press capabilities.

Only way to get closer is by an oven.

[gazfocus]

Thanks. I'm aware the blankets don't hear up all the way around but surely they should go closer to the handle than what they are doing?

[socialgiraffe]

but surely they should go closer to the handle than what they are doing?

Nope, I seem to remember that some presses would require a distance of 25mm from the handle.

[Drix Productions]

I am getting this problem around one side of the mug and the bottom. Its driving me mad....sometimes I can do 3 and they come out fine, but any more than that, and it messes them up. This morning my first one came out ok and then the second one faded towards the bottom/edge. I've been using these settings for a while now and they have been ok until now....any ideas?
BMS mugs
Sawgrass ink
Trupix paper
I forget my heat/time settings but like I said, I've not had this problem much....it happened before so I tried increasing the pressure which worked. Now its started again but I don't want to increase it any more because it already seems kinda stiff to open. I'm wondering if the designs are just too close to the edge? How much of a gap top/bottom does anyone advise leaving? Mine is literally about 1mm. But I have an inch or so each side of the handle.
Thanks!

[Andrew]

You can usually see the element marks if you look at the inner part of the heat blanket. Should be able to tell how close they can get you then. Then edges do tend to get less pressure exerted which can often be a problem so might be worth tightening a bit. A cheating way of making it print closer is to fully push the handle to one side as you close the press. Once it has been in for a couple of minutes or near the full cycle release the pressure and push the handle to the opposite side.

Ovens are the true solution for prints close to the handle as mentioned. Quite a bit of a learning curve on that as well though to get consistency.

[Andrew]

I am getting this problem around one side of the mug and the bottom. Its driving me mad....sometimes I can do 3 and they come out fine, but any more than that, and it messes them up. This morning my first one came out ok and then the second one faded towards the bottom/edge. I've been using these settings for a while now and they have been ok until now....any ideas?
BMS mugs
Sawgrass ink
Trupix paper
I forget my heat/time settings but like I said, I've not had this problem much....it happened before so I tried increasing the pressure which worked. Now its started again but I don't want to increase it any more because it already seems kinda stiff to open. I'm wondering if the designs are just too close to the edge? How much of a gap top/bottom does anyone advise leaving? Mine is literally about 1mm. But I have an inch or so each side of the handle.
Thanks!

First reply was to the OP but 1mm is seriously expecting a lot from your press. The moving handle method might help but it is not an ideal way for long term.

[Drix Productions]

First reply was to the OP but 1mm is seriously expecting a lot from your press. The moving handle method might help but it is not an ideal way for long term.

I'm actually using a template that someone else gave me and they swore by it so I just assumed it was correct....I may shrink my whole image down each side and see what happens, thanks. I still don't understand why it presses perfect one time and then faded the next though, very strange!

[gazfocus]

First reply was to the OP but 1mm is seriously expecting a lot from your press. The moving handle method might help but it is not an ideal way for long term.

Appreciate what you're saying but my old Chinese press that cost £50 was able to do
full wrap top to bottom, this press doesn't do so well (but is more consistent with what it can do). I honestly don't think I'm going too close to the handles especially given the amount of excess blanket at either side, but will admit defeat on this one.

[Andrew]

1mm was the other poster. You did look to have a fair overlap on the element. When you close the press get down and have a look if contact between the mug and element blanket takes place firmly toward the handle. In the past we have had to bend the metal outer of the blanket to force a better shape around the mug. Not best working practice but that area is often the part that is hardest to get pressure.