Is sublimation the only option for mugs?

[TGal]

I'd like to start printing mugs but I have no experience of sublimation. I currently use inkjet transfer paper and occasionally the self-weeding laser papers. Can anyone tell me if there is an alternative to sublimation as I'm happy with the results I get with standard pigment ink on fabric and would rather not have to go down the sublimation route? I'm only wanting to produce small volumes of around 10-20 mugs per week.

[John G]

If your doing those kind of volumes sub is the only way to go. You can do laser transfer but the end result, i've heard, is pretty poor and will scratch off easily.

[TGal]

Sorry if this sounds stupid but what will I need?.... Will I need a printer dedicated to sublimation inks or can you interchange between sublimation and pigment ink? I really don't want to invest too much as I'm not sure what the demand will be.

[Justin]

Dedicated printer with sublimations inks, A4 would be fine. You don't need to spend a fortune on either the printer or the mug press. The inks will appear to be quite expensive but when you see how long they last and how many mugs you can print with them they work out very cheap per print.

Mugs have a great mark up and you'd make the money back very quickly. When I started out I did everything except mugs, now 95% of my work is mugs.

Take a look at our Suppliers list http://www.dyesubforum.co.uk/vbforum/sh ... -Suppliers and also watch the Suppleirs section at the bottom of the forum for special offers.

[Paul]

you would need epson printer. A4 in yor case would be best. also 4 colours only so is cheaper as you said you dont want to spend to much. then you can pick up good press of ebay for about £80 now! if you got £200 spare you in buddy! but beware! there is learning curve in sublimation and this is not hobby that works "out of the box". I think its fair to say that cheaper you go more you need to learn

[TGal]

Thanks for all of the info. I think I'll give it a try as the investment for sublimation isn't as much as I'd expected. No doubt I'll be asking for more advice when it comes to producing the mugs. I did read that I have to 'glaze' the mugs - can I do this with the mug press?

[Paul]

you glaze them only when you use laser transfer method
with sublimation ther already nice and shiny.

and whats the cos you expected??? coz there is quite large cost.

[TGal]

Ah I see - Sublimation is sounding better by the minute! I thought that I'd probably need around £200 for the printer/inks and £300-£400 for a decent mug press. I'm currently looking for a new press for shirts as mine has pretty much died today - the Geo Knight one I was looking at is around £1k which I'm not sure if I can justify and it made me assume that a mug press would be at least a few hundred quid. I got a good 2-3 of years out of my current heat press (it was unbranded from ebay) but I've read mixed feedback about presses bought on ebay and was worried I'd get unlucky this time. As a result, I was looking at buying presses from known brands, new but the cost difference is huge.

[Paul]

Ah I see - Sublimation is sounding better by the minute! I thought that I'd probably need around £200 for the printer/inks and £300-£400 for a decent mug press.

coz you need this much ): i only gived to you the cheapes option that you would go but i never said is the best is only start up one if you know what i mean

[TGal]

Buy cheap, buy twice and all that!