Text image blured on mug

[cupsforcops]

I am printing to my Ricoh 3110 and printing a sharp text image, but when I press the mug, I seem to be getting a blurred image. It's really not very sharp. I've pressed a few with text reasonably small and it wasn't noticeable, but now I've just pressed a couple with text about 50 point and although the image looks sharp on the transfer paper, when it's pressed it is quite a bit blurred. I thought it was my eyes first, but no it's definately blurred.

I am pressing at 320 degrees for 120 seconds which is how my press was set up when I bought it. Can anyone help please?

[Paul]

I think is not hot enough or long enough. But is ricoh so i am not sure. Make sure heat press is not to tight as to much pressure will cause blured image.

[cupsforcops]

Just phoned the press supplier, they said I should be on 320 degrees for 140 seconds. When you put a mug in the press and close the clamp, the temperature then drops and climbs a bit and after almost a minute the timer starts, so in effect it's actually in for longer than 120 (that I have it set to now). I've just noticed on the transfer paper that printed a blurred one that there is a ghost image, almost like a horizontal drop shadow, so maybe it is the pressure. I'll try reducing it, thankyou for your help. Any other suggestions would be gladly received!!

[Paul]

Do you take transfer off right away when mug is out of the press???

[Renniwano]

Also.. can I ask where you got your mugs from.. I found when I first started and tested a few ermmmm cheaper mugs.. I ended up with a blurred image no matter what I tried..

[bms]

Just phoned the press supplier, they said I should be on 320 degrees for 140 seconds. When you put a mug in the press and close the clamp, the temperature then drops and climbs a bit and after almost a minute the timer starts, so in effect it's actually in for longer than 120 (that I have it set to now). I've just noticed on the transfer paper that printed a blurred one that there is a ghost image, almost like a horizontal drop shadow, so maybe it is the pressure. I'll try reducing it, thankyou for your help. Any other suggestions would be gladly received!!

320 seems a little low to me. That is only 160 degrees C. You need to be hotter. We recommend 170 degrees C (338 degrees F) for 140 seconds using a Ricoh printer. The 140 seconds is from the time the temp reaches 170/ 338. Make sure your press is tight so the mug cannot move in the press.

[cupsforcops]

I bought the mugs from monster_doodles on Ebay, they seem to have sold lots of them, and their feedback seems good. I do take the mug out immediately. Maybe it is a temperature thing. I'll give it a go over the weekend. I guess I'll just have to waste a few mugs sorting it out. The press manufacture suggested that the pressure might be too much rather than not enough pressure. A bit of trial and error no doubt.

[Dave271069]

i think your answer could be the mugs, perfect for sublimation just dont wash them in a normal dishwasher!!!!! i could be wrong though but i can see on the site where it says dishwasher proof so i know if i want my customers to come back i would not use these mugs as when i started i went down the ebay route and every mug i printed i took into my place of work and they are all now plain white blank mugs, it killed my rep for mugs in the work place, i know this dont answer your problem but look around the main suppliers for mugs they might be a little dearer but you will 100% notice the difference in print and quality.

[cupsforcops]

I'm going to try different solutions with pressure, time and temperature over the weekend. If I can't get it right I am going to try some different mugs. Can you recommend anywhere? So do you think that the mugs are not dishwasher safe at all, or these ones in particular?

[Renniwano]

The mugs I had issues with were from Ebay.. just a couple of test ones I purchased.

The feedback may be good on some of these mugs but only because people have nothing to compare them to.

I use BMS for my mugs.. and have tried also Listawood..

Bright mugs, no blurring *unless I have done something wrong* and look fab..

Maybe give them a call for a sample and then you can test against what you already have for comparison..