Metal Bookmark Problems

[gadgetsboy]

Hi
Has anyone used the sublimation metal bookmarks from Homestogifts ? they recommend 190 degrees for 50 seconds at medium pressure
but everyone i do comes out fuzzy as if out of focus. I have tried the same picture to a subli tshirt and its sharp and clear so the image is OK I;ve played around with the pressure but still same results any ideas anyone

Mark

[Justin]

Is the image moving when you press it? Do you have it securely taped in place?

Justin

[gadgetsboy]

Yes I have it taped

[Justin]

Is the paper moving when the press head is lifted? Timne and temp sounds about right. I've only ever used Xpres/NC metals which seemed ok.

Justin

[Paul]

I never done them before but when i do some alluminium or ceramic tiles I do them at quite heavy preasure and always do them "up side down" so paper at the bottom and alluminum at the top. try do that I am sure it will help.

PAul

[jennywren]

I always do mine upside down and I've found that to be better, I do all alluminium upside down but I use spay not tape to hold it

[bms]

Shouldn't make a difference which way round you press. The issue of the paper lifting will give a ghost like image reproduction rather than fuzzy. Like the paper lifts when the press is opened, moves a fraction and then comes back into contact with the metal for a fraction of a second. A fuzzy picture might be contact related so make sure the press is tight. Temp and times sound right - you could increase to 200 for 60 seconds without any problems.

[JSR]

Which paper are you using?

A high release paper that would do good subli T-Shirts may release too much ink too quickly for a hard item, and that may result in a fuzzy transfer. This is more likely to happen with a no-name paper rather than one of the more common ones.

Of course, you may just have badly-coated bookmarks.

[NIGELG]

hi you may find your press is to hot or you pressing the metal to firmly, also metal heats quicker then fabric.

Also a little tip i use 3m re-positionable (make sure its the re-positionable spray)spray glue for paper you can but in any craft or art shop spray in the air above your paper print for a split second let the glue fall on the paper place on top of matal press then peel of............also its good if you don't line things up properly you just peel up and relay before pressing

[gadgetsboy]

Tnx for all those suggestions guys, I'm just awaiting another batch of bookmarks to be delivered and ill give all your ideas a try afraid all the last batch have been re-cycled (gone to the bin man lol )