school teacher using dye sub

[Sioux]

I was over joyed to find you guys!

I am a teacher, new to dye sub, and looking for starting points to inspire me and the kids..and of course any tips and pot holes to avoid.

we have a richo A3 gel printer, a mug press and flat bed heat press

Exciting time for us

Sioux

[Justin]

Hi Sioux and welcome to the forum, great to hear you're training the next generation of dye subbers!

Justin
DSF Admin

[bms]

Welcome to the forum. Just to make sure, you have also got SubliJet-R sublimation cartridges in the print (and not the ordinary Ricoh cartridges)?

[boristrump]

make sure you find out as much as possible about sublimation process as you can, especially as with concerning with children around! for health and safety! make sure every child is wearing an mask as sublimation ink gives of fumes when heat pressing no matter where ever you get the ink from! is there ever health and safety certificate ever issued with sublimation ink? never! i wonder why? i wear an mask all the time when i do mugs or t-shirts.
Please take care with children around!

[Paul]

welcome on forum Sioux!

i wear an mask all the time when i do mugs or t-shirts

[Justin]

Boristrump.....what information are you basing these concerns on please? The discussion of toxic fumes has been made before on different forums, with suppliers etc. And the conclusion has always been that whilst sublimation can create a strong smell, at no time whatsoever are toxic fumes released. If this was the case suppliers would be obliged to issue warnings and sell safety equipment.

[boristrump]

Justin I'm just stating the fact that to some people there are fume that can cause respiratory problems! to them, as you have stated "Strong Smell"
i didn't mention anything about toxic? as i did say where it concern children there needs to be more caution! does everyone agree with that here?

[Justin]

You've stated that the inks give off fumes that require a mask to be worn. I'm afraid this just isn't the case. Adequate ventilation would be better advise. There are always health and safety guidelines that should be followed, the heat generated but a mug/heat press would also be a serious consideration.

You've made a statement as to why a health and safety certificate isn't issued with inks and indicated that it should be. This is something you should discuss with the ink manufacturer for clearer instruction.

[Paul]

I think there is some confusion here... I have done some 100's press in my sublimation life and NEVER smell Ink. True is you can smell blank/coating but not ink. as a exsample lets compare mug to mouse mat. all you can smell there is only paper and maybe little bit of coating is roasting. when you pressing a mouse mat you need to open the window

[phoenixalpha]

When making mugs the only smell I can detect is the occassional whiff of hot paper or if I have a new heat blanket in the press. Printing with sub ink is smellier than any mug press I've ever encountered.

When making mouse mats, pencil cases etc - its not *that* bad. When making reporter bags tho... it's almost toxic at times - I hate to get a lungful of that air when the press opens.

As to health and safety I would worry more about the incredibly hot items just coming out the presses if kids were about or the presses themselves, but I wouldnt want any children being near a press (irrespective if they could open the things anyway!)