External Sublimation

[pisquee]

I think the bigger problem is that not many places have big enough flat bed heat presses for making signs large enough using sublimation to be viable, small signage certainly works well - you could print a design across multiple sheets to make a bigger sign. For bigger signage we tend to just print polyester canvas through the rotary press.

[Leadbelly]

Bu**er me I'v just seen the Duraluxe panel on the banner header at the top of the forum ( specsavers anyone :biggrin: ) looks good.
I love the sound of what you are doing with the acrylic, I feel it is very generous of you to test it's capabilities and share your trials cannot wait to hear the out-come, great response guy's really appreciated.

xxLB

[webtrekker]

Latest regarding the acrylic is that, although the print was excellent, I may have to drop my press times/temps to the minimum required to try to introduce less distortion (warping) in the pressed piece.

I've tried various ways to get the pressed acrylic to stay absolutely flat but I'm not impressed with results so far. The distortion is only a slight 'bowing' but the annoying thing, to me anyway, is that it's there at all.

[Leadbelly]

At what point does the warp start? do you feel it's as soon as you lift the press, or is it happening during the process. Maybe it might be due to thickness of the material and as you lift the press the upper exposed face is cooling quicker, I have a few thoughts one being if as soon as you lift the press turn the sheet over and bring the head back over the top but not pressed allowing the generated heat the escape slowly. By turning it over I'm wondering if this keeps a uniformed heat to the piece.