Help! Is it the mugs or the press?

[CraftyCup]

Hi everyone, could anyone give me some advice please.

I am having real problems with ghosting on writing on my mugs, just when I am starting to get sales and getting busier. I do designs that have quite a lot of writing on them, in small blocks like quotes all over. They pretty much cover the mug so full wraps. I know it's not my printer, paper or ink because when they come out they are great. But it's so hit and miss. I tape well, in fact I overtape because I couldn't get them to come out at all with just tape on the edges. I've dipped, left to cool on their own, left the paper, took the paper off etc etc and I am losing the will to live with it.

I am using decent mugs (apart from the last box where I got a lot of seconds but that's another story!!) and my press is the Cricut mug press. I got this as a present to start me off but I am starting to think it's this that's the problem. I can't adjust it for pressure or heat and it seems it's one side that really iffy. I have to go in 2.5cms on the sides and it's still doing it!

Do you think I would be better just replacing it with a normal mug press? And if anyone has recommends for mugs that are really straight I would be grateful! What do you think, is it the press or the mugs or both?! Thanks all.

[Mrteajunkie]

Not had any hands on experience with the cricut mug press, but I have a cricut air machine and if that’s anything to go by then it’s your press causing the issues as cricut is junk.
sadly you do need to have control over time, temp and pressure as every mug is different.

a new decent press will only set you back £85 and a nice Digital Touch screen press like I have as well as a few others here.

[Justin]

If you can post any pics that always helps.

I have to agree though, from what I've seen these Cricut pressed are poor.

[CraftyCup]

Thanks Mr Tea and Justin. I binned them all in anger but basically it's just the writing going soft/spreading and looking blurred.

I agree it's the press, I had a feeling it would be. I feel bad for the person who bought it for me, it wasn't cheap. It just doesn't do what it's supposed to do, even with their own materials. To anyone who reads this thinking of buying one - don't!

Can I ask which press you use, from looking at old threads is it the MDP one? And do you still recommend the MDP mugs? I haven't tried theirs yet, used a few of the other big suppliers but not these. I just want something reliable now both for press and mugs. Thanks again for the help.

[Mrteajunkie]

You can buy the mdp press from signzworld for £85 which is a fair bit cheaper than mdp.
I always use mdp mugs as I have had issues with all the rest.

but it’s a debate here that will always run with different opinions so it’s best to find what suits you.

£89.99
https://signzworld.co.uk/shop/mug-heat- ... -printing/

same press same company on eBay but £85.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274434159254 ... media=COPY

[CraftyCup]

That's great, thanks so much!

[CraftyCup]

Just wanted to say, my press arrived today. First try - one perfect mug! Thank you so much, the relief is real It shouldn't have either because the mug was really wonky for a full wrap design and it still managed to pull it off. If this had been the Cricut one I know it would have been ghosted all over.

And for someone who hasn't used a traditional press before I was up and running in 5 minutes. Am really glad I posted here lol.

[Mrteajunkie]

Just wanted to say, my press arrived today. First try - one perfect mug! Thank you so much, the relief is real It shouldn't have either because the mug was really wonky for a full wrap design and it still managed to pull it off. If this had been the Cricut one I know it would have been ghosted all over.

And for someone who hasn't used a traditional press before I was up and running in 5 minutes. Am really glad I posted here lol.

No problem at all.

have fun.