Problems printing rich blacks on white mugs

[MrPosner]

Hello
I seem to be having some trouble printing flat areas colour especially blacks on white mugs.
What usually happens is that the top and bottom of the print are fine but as you go towards the centre of the mug the colour will start fading, I have attached a couple of photos, but due to the reflections the fade isn't showing up very well.

I'm using a Xpres Studio mug press.
Ricoh SG3110DN with Sawgrass Sublijet inks.
Sawgrass Trupix paper.
Colour management has been set correctly.
Artwork printed out with ink density set at 5.
Mugs 10oz AAA Orca Coated
Mugs are pressed with a medium pressure.
Mugs at room temperature.
Heat 164 at 164 seconds.

The breakdown for the black is: C73 M67 Y66 K83 (#191919)

I have tried experimenting with the times and heat but the '164 at 164secs' seems to be a sweet spot for me where I get better than average/sellable results.

Any suggestions?

[ArferMo]

looks like the typical problems that you get with a mug press.

Lots of causes.... barrelled mugs, pressure issues..... failing element all too common with a mug press.

[k21john]

If your using photoshop etc try tweaking the colours to
C 75
M 68
Y 67
K 90
#000000

Should give you a true black.....

[MrPosner]

Thanks.
Yes I have tried a #000000 black but it still fades towards the middle of the mug.
This only really happens on solid flat areas of colour, on photos and artwork where the graphics only over about 60-80% of the mug, the print usually comes out fine.

[MrPosner]

Thanks for your advice. AferMo
I'm presuming that you're using a silicone warp and oven for your mugs?

[ArferMo]

Yes I have 4 different mug presses.......... all inferior to a green wrap and a well controlled oven in my opinion.

It's true that for low volumes or on the spot sales (if the print is small) you can't beat the speed of a press but for large prints or volume you just can't match the consistency of a good digitally controlled oven.

[JMugs]

ArferMo, what oven are you using? I assume commercial grade as opposed to a Chinese sandwich toaster design.

Janners

[Justin]

You have imo the best mug press, who's mugs are you using?