Sublimetal printing query

[StellaD]

There was a discussion a while back about an alternative metal supplier on EBay and I did try them as an experiment. I must admit it printed very well but the range of sizes, etc was a bit limited, communication was very slow and a few of the sheets were not cut smoothly.

Hence I have turned to Sublimetals.

The problem I am having is on their 0.5mm white metal - using an Epson 1500W with proper ICC profile and printing from Photoshop for 40 seconds at around 200C. Everythiing else has always printed beautifully but these are coming out with a slightly mottled effect.

Wondering if it might be due to the heatwave I have taken to pre-pressing for 10 seconds through copier paper to eradicate moisture but no joy.

Any ideas please?

Oh! - paper settings are photo matte if thaat helps.

Thanks!

[Jimbo]

The mottled effect is due to the coating on the aluminium softening under heat and sticking to the coating on the paper.
There is a newer paper named S-Race which has a different method of coating that virtually eliminates this problem.

I usually print at 180c for 60secs. transfer on press with aluminium on top so pressing through the back of the aluminium on low pressure.

[GoonerGary]

I haven't tried S Race, but it might be worth picking up a box. Novachrome also mention that it eliminates the mottled effect.

https://www.novachrome.co.uk/products/i ... sizes.html

[Jimbo]

I haven't tried S Race, but it might be worth picking up a box. Novachrome also mention that it eliminates the mottled effect.

https://www.novachrome.co.uk/products/i ... sizes.html

For years I had a fulltime business from a unit doing nothing else but sublimating aluminium and always had the mottling effect on certain aluminium finishes.
A friend took over that business and had the same problem but since we both started using S- Race that problem is now a thing of the past.
I am semi retired and working from home now but only wish that paper was available when I had that previous business.

[Justin]

We have this trouble with Subli Metals but reducing the pressure down to very light solved it. Took a while to get time and temp right, settled on 160c for 70 seconds. Lower temp helps as well.

[webtrekker]

I use Sublimetals 0.5mm white gloss and I too use very light pressure with a sheet of copy paper above and below, and the aluminium sheet placed on top of the print. I print at 190 for 50secs though and no longer have any mottling/marbling problems. I think the most crucial thing is the VERY light pressure though, hardly much more than just the weight of the top platen lying on the workpiece.

I've got to say too that I find Sublimetals are exact dimensions and very well finished.

[StellaD]

Thanks very much to everyone for their replies.

It's very refreshing to see a question answered anywhere on the internet where the solutions are all broadly in agreement with each other.

I'll order some S-Race paper and take on board the other suggestions too.

I've never bought anything from Novachrome - a shame they don't seem to display their carriage charges or "delivery free limit" online. Usually you can just find out by "adding to cart" but it looks like Novachrome hide it from you until you go right through the checkout process. Shame really.

[StellaD]

An update! :frown:

I bit the bullet and bought some S-Race but seem to be stuck in a loop of problems which I have never had before - typical when I have a job to get out

I reduced the pressure and the temperature to 175 ish (tried each side around that range) and pressed for 60 seconds. Very poor result with not enough ink releasing.

Whacked the pressure back up, not enough on it's own, so increased the temperature back up to 200!!!

The ink releases but the heat tape leaves a mark on the plate and there are visible marks seemingly under the surface of unprinted areas (can't be seen unless inspected closely but that is just what the customer will look at) which, I assume, is the surface being too soft.

Anyother suggestions please? Did think about posting an image but it's not the sort of thing a camera will pick up really.

[Jimbo]

Are you sure you're printing on correct side of the paper?
S-Race can be tricky to see the correct side to print on. Unlike other papers it is not the brighter side.
Whilst in the box, the correct side is facing up. To test lick you finger and thumb and press corner of paper and the sticky side is the correct one.

[webtrekker]

My guess is your press isn't reading the correct temperature for a start. I press Sublimetals 0.5mm white gloss sheets at 190 degrees C for 50 secs with very light pressure. I use CIE inks and paper. Results are fine and I'm selling items printed this way with no negative feedback.

My press has the standard thick silicone rubber pad on the bottom platen. I place a pice of ordinary copy paper on this. Then the aluminium sheet is place onto the copy paper (with the sub print already attached to the aluminium), upside down, and another sheet of copy paper is placed on top. Nothing special.

When you say the heat tape leaves a mark on the plate, I'm assuming you mean on the BACK of the aluminium as this is the only part that should be in contact with the tape? My tape leaves no such marks.