Best Sublimation Ink for SG400 and Mug Printing

[garysub]

Hi

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of using different inks in their SG400. I have always used the Sawgrass Inks but have on-going issues with reliably printing black. It seems to be very specifically an issue with printing blacks where I am seeing some fading of blacks. I am in no way 100% certain the issue is the ink but it's something I am considering.

I was looking at the Sublisplash Inks - anyone got any experience of these? Similar problems with sawgrass inks?

Thanks
Gary

[Justin]

https://www.inkexperts.co.uk/product/su ... -printers/

[garysub]

https://www.inkexperts.co.uk/product/su ... -printers/

Would you recommend these - used them and with good results?

[socialgiraffe]

It is quite common knowledge that Sawgrass Black is not that great, particularly on hard surface items. Ideally you would want to use Sublinova inks from Ink Tec. However that particular ink is not available for a Ricoh so you have two options...

The ink that Justin recommends. This is from a very good supplier and will be a good ink to use. Or, ditch the Ricoh in favour of an Epson and use Ink Tec inks.

[garysub]

It is quite common knowledge that Sawgrass Black is not that great, particularly on hard surface items. Ideally you would want to use Sublinova inks from Ink Tec. However that particular ink is not available for a Ricoh so you have two options...

The ink that Justin recommends. This is from a very good supplier and will be a good ink to use. Or, ditch the Ricoh in favour of an Epson and use Ink Tec inks.

Thanks for your input. Do you know what sort of issues the sawgrass ink is known to create? or is it just a range of problems?

[socialgiraffe]

Its just a very temperamental ink colour.

"back in the day" finding the exact sweet spot for your mugs was a very steep learning curve, too much heat, not enough time, different coatings, room temperature etc. etc. all had an adverse effect on the SG Black ink. It would either burn, print dark purple or many other issues. I personally never came across fading in certain areas, but I did have issues of the entire mug would be faded where black was used.

Other good quality inks seem to have got it right and with Ink Tec there is a lot more "give" ink the ink.

I would recommend you contact Ink Experts and ask them for a few sample sheets on the two different colour sets so you can decide which is best suited for your needs.

[socialgiraffe]

Just for the record...

I have recently been featured in some Ink Tec marketing material. That could be perceived that I am biased for Ink Tec. In all honesty I probably am, but this is because I will only recommend good quality suppliers or products and not for any gain, financial or otherwise.

Make of that what you want, just being honest

[garysub]

Thanks for this, very informative. I should have been clearer they are "faded" but I think they have actually burnt out and blurred (i.e. overcooked I think).

[socialgiraffe]

Thanks for this, very informative. I should have been clearer they are "faded" but I think they have actually burnt out and blurred (i.e. overcooked I think).

My go to stock answer to "burnt out and blurred" when using SG inks is always try different inks. That's a bit unfair to them, but its only my stock answer due to past experience. Even if you decide to switch to Sublisplash you will probably see a huge difference.

[garysub]

My go to stock answer to "burnt out and blurred" when using SG inks is always try different inks. That's a bit unfair to them, but its only my stock answer due to past experience. Even if you decide to switch to Sublisplash you will probably see a huge difference.

Thanks, it's time to try something different whilst I still have some hair to pull out!