2d Sublimation Templates HELP

[reens80]

Hi all

I am new to sublimation and photoshop. I am starting to personalise 2d iphone cases as a hobby and extra income.

I am desperately seeking various iPhone model photoshop templates that i can use to design sublimation cases on.

Can anyone please help in either helping explain how to do this or provide Photoshop sublimation blank templates?

Many thanks,
Reen

[InkExpress]

Not sure where to get blank templates from, but personally when I want to sublimation on to an item I purchase a sample, measure it and make my own template in Photoshop based on the 'mm' size of the item. For phone cases (metal insert) I usually add an extra 3mm on each side for a bleed off and if the phone has a camera I add a shape in the location on the template so I am aware of whether the camera hole will affect the final print.

Alex

[reens80]

Hi Alex,

Thanks so much for being the only one that replied. I managed to get around this by scanning the metal insert, importing into PDF and using the quick selection tool.

I have finally managed to sublimate a few cases, but I am having issues getting the true colour from photographs.
I have an Epson L382, and using City Ink Express FotoRight inks
I used the Photoshop ICC profile they have and I have sublimated at:

180C for 40, 50 and 60 secs. All three times the photo printed on the phone case is slightly darker (but enough to notice) than the actual photo.

I tried again at 190C for 25 seconds - this was ever so slightly lighter but still darker than the photo and enough to notice.

Any ideas?

[InkExpress]

No problem at all, scanning the case was going to be the other option. Nicely done

Do you have a link to where you got the cases from, will give me a better idea of what type you're working with.

Alex

[webtrekker]

Hi Alex,

Thanks so much for being the only one that replied. I managed to get around this by scanning the metal insert, importing into PDF and using the quick selection tool.

I have finally managed to sublimate a few cases, but I am having issues getting the true colour from photographs.
I have an Epson L382, and using City Ink Express FotoRight inks
I used the Photoshop ICC profile they have and I have sublimated at:

180C for 40, 50 and 60 secs. All three times the photo printed on the phone case is slightly darker (but enough to notice) than the actual photo.

I tried again at 190C for 25 seconds - this was ever so slightly lighter but still darker than the photo and enough to notice.

Any ideas?

I often brighten my images for printing from Photoshop. Try bumping the brightness up by 30.

[reens80]

Thanks both. Will try upping the brightness next time. I am just starting out so all quite trial and error.

I bought the cases from: http://coralgraph.com/phone-tablet-case ... e-iphone-6

[InkExpress]

Thanks both. Will try upping the brightness next time. I am just starting out so all quite trial and error.

I bought the cases from: http://coralgraph.com/phone-tablet-case ... e-iphone-6

I am guessing they are the metal insert cases? 190c for 50 secs is the recommend, or try 180c for 60 seconds.

One thing to point out though, the metal case needs to placed on top of the paper, usually the paper is placed on top of the item (t-shirts, cushion covers etc) but with metal items the paper is placed on the bottom of the press (printed side face up), metal item is placed on top (sublimation coating face down) and then heat pressed. Heat passes through the metal to sublimation.

If you're doing it the other way around this can cause excessive heating which causes darker prints. You may be doing it correct but thought I'd mention the above just in case.

Alex

[reens80]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for that I have been placing the sublimation paper down first, plain side facing down onto print, metal side facing as you said. I did do 180 for 60 secs. 190 for 25 secs was a little better. 190 for 50 secs i could try.

If it's coming out too dark is it too much heat or less?

[InkExpress]

Usually dark prints is from too much heat / too long, the inks darken to a point, then can go really bad if really overheated.

If there is not much difference between 25 and 50 secs at 190c the print itself could be too dark and you may benefit from altering it prior to printing. If you are using the printer with the ICC it should be pretty good, but sometimes a little adjustment to the brightness is required... but not much usually.

[reens80]

Ok thanks Alex, I will keep experimenting and see what happens.