Ghosting Problem on Elastic material (fitness bands)

[jojo_milkman]

Hello guys,
I am struggling with a material I want to sublimate. I am currently using 100gr sticky (tacky) paper transfers and a heat press with these settings:
- 80s preheat each side
- 80s press time
- 190 degrees Celsius (374 Fahrenheit)
- 4 bars pressure (58 psi)

I also use thermoresistant tape but all this seems to not be enough. I am uploading some pictures for visualisation of the problem.
I struggle to solve the problem by myself and I really need some experience from you guys.

I appreciate all your help, bless you!

[UK Printed Mugs]

One thing to check is to ensure you are using new paper above and below the bands when pressing in case the "ghosting" is coming from the actual heat press plates from previous press. We use blank newspaper paper (easily found on eBay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324388144288). Not sure if this is the reason but certainly could be.

[UK Printed Mugs]

One other thing is to perhaps tape down the transfer paper on top of the bands to the bottom press platen. Then don't be in a rush to remove them but gently lift off press and wait around 10 seconds before touching paper. If still hot then any movement of the paper will result in ghosting.

[Justin]

Some great advice there. Looking at the images, it does seem that the print is shifting slightly causing the ghosting as it's pretty consistent throughout the images.

[jojo_milkman]

Small Update:

It seems the ghosting was a combination of paper blowout from the pneumatic press and shrinkage of the bands.
I've fixed the blowout problem with tons of thermal tape and patience for the bands to cool off, but there's still shrinkage even with 2-3 times of pre-press.
Oh and we always use new paper after every transfer!

I am grateful for your help, if I somehow manage to beat the shrinkage I will share the victory!

P.S. Do you think that taping the transfer to the bottom platen only will be better than taping it to the platen AND the bands in terms of ghosting due to shrinkage?

[jojo_milkman]

Do you have any experience with sublimation on lower temperatures?
Is it possible to mitigate material shrinkage that way?

[pw66]

Try removing any teflon sheet from the platen rubber. The bare rubber should hold the item better and reduce shrinkage or movement. You could also try using some screen printers spray tac to hold the item in place. Spray tac will also help hold the paper to the fabric. Messy but effective - best get a spray bottle of Glue Remover from MDP Supplies to clean down afterward.

[jojo_milkman]

Final Update:

Having a smaller pre-press time 10-15s helped to reduce initial shrinkage. Afterwards securing the bands to the platen with tape parallel to the shrinkage helped keep the material in place.
Transfer paper is taped to the platen only, not to the material itself (for some reason that made a difference, probably because of the shrinkage).
Having patience and good timing to remove the transfer paper when the material starts to cool off, but not when it's completely cooled off.

Hope this helps other members in the future.

Grateful for your help - UK Printed Mugs, Justin, pw66

P.S. pw66, Spray Tac seems like a good idea, but it totally needs good ventilation!