Difference in Mug Coatings & Best Coating

[Sublibed]

Hi, hope you're all well. Fairly new to the sublimation game.

To date I have been using Nova Chrome's durham mugs (Rhino Coated) but have seen that they also sell Orca coating. Just wondering what the difference is? Also what type do you guys use & why?

Thanks in advance

[UK Printed Mugs]

Hi. To be honest this is the most asked question on this forum so perhaps do a little search and you're get some answers. Although in reality no one ever agrees so there is no ONE mug that is the answer. Like everyone else you might have to buy from lots of different suppliers and see what works for you. Although we buy Xpres 5013 the price is now quite stupid and others have jumped ship to Listawood or MDP.

[Mrteajunkie]

No offense to xpres but the mugs were excellent in terms of image clarity. But I had complaints coming in left right and centre. The dishwasher claim is very far off.

Even washing on eco 40c the coating was peeling off leaving blank patches on the mugs.
Xpres weren't much help so I went back to mdp orca mugs and these take maximum heat and wash really well.

The orca mugs are perfect for me.
I have had signzworld mugs and wouldn't recommend those either very lucky if you get a mug that doesn't have defects.

[UK Printed Mugs]

With regard MDP Orca can I ask what settings you use unless you use an oven? We have tried these (mug press) but just cannot get a good consistent print and we do a lot of black writing which means that dunking into water is important to stop blurring. Xpres mugs (yes, quality gone dowe and price gone up recently) have a coating which means when we water dunk the coating does not crack and get a good fine line. We would swap to MDP if we can match the quality.

[Mrteajunkie]

Not sure if that was as aimed at me or not Olly?

I still use the mdp presses same settings.
Preheat mugs on grill plate just above room temp.
Press set to 185c for 185s
Apply print and wait for press to reach temp
Put in mug and await the beep.
Put mug straight from press into bowl of HOT TAP water not boiling this will stop cracking and any thermal shock.
Shake vigorously print will fall away in water and let mug dry.
Insert next mug.

I do find though the more mugs you do then hotter the water becomes so I have to add cold to cool it down.
Left out for any longer than 20 seconds the print spreads up the mug so remove and dunk.

[UK Printed Mugs]

Thanks. I must admit that is what we do temp wise but do find that solid areas of colour come out faded but we will try again as mug prices getting stupid now. As for water then we will try hot water to start off - we always use room temp which works fine with Xpres rhino coating but perhaps too much of a shock for orca.

[Mrteajunkie]

Maybe inks and settings are also a factor?
I use sublinova and ink experts paper (can't recall which one and can't check as I'm away)

[harlequeen]

I have switched to MDP mugs a couple of years ago when I couldn't get mugs from Coralgraph, and I have a local MDP. I made quite a few for myself. I use them daily, but now I can see that the MDP mugs don't stand up to the dishwasher like my Coralgraph ones did. I can't get Coralgraph mugs again now, but loathe to go back to MDP.

[thecartoonman]

I have switched to MDP mugs a couple of years ago when I couldn't get mugs from Coralgraph, and I have a local MDP. I made quite a few for myself. I use them daily, but now I can see that the MDP mugs don't stand up to the dishwasher like my Coralgraph ones did. I can't get Coralgraph mugs again now, but loathe to go back to MDP.

I have used Coralgraph but as you say, all mugs seem to have been taken off their site, they were always difficult to speak too and it was quite a relief to see that an order had actually been despatched.

Their Rhino coated mugs, from Thailand I believe, I have found always to be excellent with great colour and vibrant images and very good in the dishwasher, miles ahead of some rubbish Duraglaze mugs (coated in India I think) I had the misfortune to buy from TMT and sit unused taking up space

Novachrome also sell exactly the same Rhino Durham's as Coralgraph, although slightly more expensive, so you could try them if you are trying to locate exactly the same mug as you have been using, like you, I think they are the best and as I am not a trade printer an extra .25p+ is not an issue.

Hope this helps.

[harlequeen]

Thanks for this, I will definitely be trying Novachrome then, even if the cost a little more, I'll be happy if they are the same as Coralgraph.