Anyone using Chromablast...?

[socialgiraffe]

Hi All

Is anyone on here using the chromoblast inks?

I have a Ricoh 3300 sitting here collecting dust and thought i might switch it from dye sub to chromoblast. But before I do would like to know

Does anyone know the approx real cost per sheet
does it still leave residue similar to that of a laser transfer
What are the pros/cons to this system versus TMT's 3.1 for example

[bms]

Hi All

Is anyone on here using the chromoblast inks?

I have a Ricoh 3300 sitting here collecting dust and thought i might switch it from dye sub to chromoblast. But before I do would like to know

Does anyone know the approx real cost per sheet
does it still leave residue similar to that of a laser transfer
What are the pros/cons to this system versus TMT's 3.1 for example

1. Cost per page print will be the same ink cost as the sublimation inks (http://sawgrasseurope.indigofiles.com/t ... _carts.pdf) plus the cost of the paper at £0.40 +vat per A4 sheet (or part thereof).

2. Yes it does leave a residue (hand) but not as noticeable as TTC3.1

3. Very similar to TTC3.1 but I think colours are more vibrant having seen both.

[socialgiraffe]

Cheers Martin

I don't see any point in switching it over right now then as I think it is probably more valueable as a back up printer.

[bms]

Cheers Martin

I don't see any point in switching it over right now then as I think it is probably more valueable as a back up printer.

Think you're probably right!

[chris_hosk]

why not sell it im after a Ricoh

[socialgiraffe]

And what would I have as a back up Chris

Even though I was thinking of putting chomoblast inks in there, I still wanted to keep it just in case my 7000 failed. A few flushes and it would be dye sub ink back in.

[AdamB]

I had a Chromablast System when I first started (Epson 1400). It took a while to get the time and temps right but once I had a particular brand of t-shirt that I used all the time it was very nice (if I remember correctly I think you need about 190-195 to press the prints onto garments?).

However, what I did find was that although the prints were very, very nice and very,very vibrant I experienced a couple of negative points that meant that I never went back to it after the inks had ran out (and again, this is just my personal point of view - not the system itself).

Firstly, as the set-up us quite expensive (i.e you need to use the correct chromablast papers and ink) I had to charge a little extra for this which meant that it could only be used on certain 'premium' products that I have and not the run of the mill stag/hen night t-shirts.

Secondly, there is supposed to be no, or very little hand (i.e the edge of the transfer). To be honest, I 'never' had little or no hand - just hand. It wasn't a problem but I still had to trim away unwanted areas (as advised by chromablast) something that was still time consuming.

Lastly, due to the expense (mentioned first) I found that I experienced blockages weekly (in the epson 1400). I don't know if this ink is thicker but I only had a maximum of 4 days between prints and still found a blockage every now and then, which caused lost ink through cycles etc.

That said, I have people that got garments from me and have washed them so many times that they are falling apart - but the print is still outstanding.

Now, I use pigment ink in the printer and Yolo Papers. The pigment ink can be used for so much more from posters to stickers and is not limited to just garments (light garments at that as the chromablast system is for lights only).

Hope that helps?
Adam

[socialgiraffe]

Great post AdamB and certainly backs up my opinion to just keep the machine as a dye sub back up.