Faded image when pressing mugs

[maskedhero]

Hi folks,

I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. When I am pressing my mugs they are not coming out clear, and are slightly faded.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/80 ... 00158.jpg/

Printing on Tru-Pix Sub Paper.
Richoh Aficio GX e3300N printer.
Pressing at 170 degrees for 150 seconds on a DF-180 Mug Press.

I have tried increasing/decreasing the temp and press duration but have not had any success.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Nathan

[Paul]

whats your pressure like???
I am not sure about ricohs but i would increase pressing for at least 200sec.

[Justin]

The ricoh inkset don't need as long as the Epson and if you've already experimented extending the press time I think pressure could be a likely culprit.

[bms]

whats your pressure like???
I am not sure about ricohs but i would increase pressing for at least 200sec.

I wouldn't recommend 200 seconds with the Ricoh inks as that would lead to burning of the inks. The DF-180 has an idle temp I believe set at around 90, I'd set the operating temp at 170 and time for a max of 120 seconds. I know of some customers who used the Df180 that only pressed for 10-15 seconds once the operating temp had been reached with perfect results every time with Epson printers using Artanium ink.

[RogerC]

From your photo it looks like you're pressing for too long. The photo isn't clear but it looks like your blacks are going brown which is (if I remember rightly) an indication (with Ricoh printed images) that you're overcooking. I have all my kit from BMS and after a few initial issues and a call to them (very helpful) I do all my mugs at 170 degrees for 50 seconds and 'touch wood' have had good results ever since.

[maskedhero]

Thanks for all the advice.

The colours are not coming through crisply, and appear faded when printed on the mugs. However on the paper they look ok, a little dull, but that's to be expected until the print is transferred I think.

I have tried all the suggestions above and am still having the problems. The pressure seems to be ok - I've tried increasing and decreasing the it to no avail.

Thanks
Nathan

[viccar]

As others have said looks like not enough pressure.

[gorgall2]

Are you using the right side of the paper?

[maskedhero]

Thanks for all your help, I've sorted it now.

Mixture of pressure, time and temp. Got the winning formula now.

Thanks again, really appreciated and I look forward to repaying the kindness where possible.

Nathan

[Zipdorf]

Nathan

Can you tell us what the formula was? Pressure, time and temp?