my first slate,

[Dave271069]

After reading so many threads about the slates i decided to have a go myself, the picture is not the best quality but for my first go im very pleased and have already got a few orders from my facebook freinds at a tenner a piece, happy days!
only problem i had was when subing it i found my clam shell heat press was not perfectly sitting on it but good enough, and i set the timer for 900 seconds not 9 min, Doh another silly mistake in the world of sublimation, but ay though i would share my experience with you.
thanks Dave

[quasar]

Looking good Dave.
where did you get your slates and stands from?

[Dave271069]

Coralgraph. and thanks

[letsgo]

Dave,
tip i found useful when using clam press for slates,place a an old mousemat under the end that seems to slope away from platen then when you press down it should give a reasonble even pressure contact with platen and slate.

[Dave271069]

Thanks, i was watchin videos where they used silicone but i dont have any, i had a mouse mat but couldnt get to grips with weather it would heat through or not. next one i will try it though.

[letsgo]

you can get a silicone sheet on ebay for about £2 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silicone-Baki ... 2a138252be

[WorthDoingRight]

Well whether you gave it 9 min or 15 mins it seems to be fairly evenly sublimated.

[pisquee]

Did my first one last week, in a hurry not readind the instructions properly, and forgot to print it face down, so after 9 minutes the print was perfect and nicely around the edges but the nice blue and white colour the design was supposed had burnt brown patches on it ... still managed to flog it for £20 ... the burnt patches actually added to the design thankfully!

Just tried my next 4, and printed upside down this time, unfortunately 2 of them cracked in two ... guess I was using too much pressure, but thought using a thick (50mm) silicone rubber sheet would absorb this.

[socialgiraffe]

Never had a problem with these. Purchased from BMS (come in exactly the same box as the CG ones so presumably the same make). Pre heated slate as per instructions on BMS website and pressed for required time.

I have a clam shell press and take the pressure right off so it is just the weight on the press that is the pressure. Have only done three or four of these but the vibrancy and colours are accurate and the whole item looks quality.

[pisquee]

OK, will just back the pressure off next time - I tend do do things quite as tight as I can with the flat items, but this is the first time it's been a problem.