Is there a problem with my mug press?

[cupsforcops]

For those of you who have read my thread on the blurring and banding on my mugs and have helped me tremendously. I still have the banding problem though. Transfer paper is fine, it's banding on the mug that is the problem. I'm assuming it's something to do with the press. It's a brand new press and I have only pressed about 20 mugs, most of them useless!!

I have just noticed that my press has a different sized gap. The mug seems nice and tight when clamped and I have experimented with different pressures.

I have uploaded a picture of the gap when the press is closed. Please could you take a look and see what you think. The gap when closed is 32mm on one side and 26mm on the other. Could this be the problem?

http://www.cupsforcops.co.uk/proofs/mugpressgap.jpg

Again, thankyou all in advance for your help.

[bms]

For those of you who have read my thread on the blurring and banding on my mugs and have helped me tremendously. I still have the banding problem though. Transfer paper is fine, it's banding on the mug that is the problem. I'm assuming it's something to do with the press. It's a brand new press and I have only pressed about 20 mugs, most of them useless!!

I have just noticed that my press has a different sized gap. The mug seems nice and tight when clamped and I have experimented with different pressures.

I have uploaded a picture of the gap when the press is closed. Please could you take a look and see what you think. The gap when closed is 32mm on one side and 26mm on the other. Could this be the problem?

http://www.cupsforcops.co.uk/proofs/mugpressgap.jpg

Again, thankyou all in advance for your help.

That won't be the root cause of your issue. This gap will close and when the mug is in the press nicely clamped then the mug press blanket will be firmly up against the surface of the mug. If you have a gap when the press is closed then you have a problem, but I doubt you would do.

[socialgiraffe]

It does sound like the mug blanket is not up to standard. Can you post a picture of the banding you are getting on a mug and I am sure someone on here will be able to tell you immediately if it is the blanket or something else.

[cupsforcops]

I have taken a photo with a flash and it does show up. It is sometimes worse than this, and there is a similar one on the other side of the mug. The banding effect makes the banded area darker. It's two vertical marks one in the middle of the front of the mug, and one in the middle of the back of the mug. vertical top to bottom, so it would be across the width of the blanket front and back if that makes sense. Sometimes it's worse than other times. I'm using BMS mugs now as I had a problem with my cheap Ebay ones from Monster Doodles. Colours are accurate, I have no blurring now.

http://www.cupsforcops.co.uk/proofs/stripe.jpg

[socialgiraffe]

hmmmm

Not seen that before, although I have had fading before which indicates the blanket is on the way out.

I take it this is not on the print. Have you had a look at the blanket to see if there are any marks on the blanket itself?

The next step would be to try a print with the mug placed the other way round. If the mark still comes out in the same part of the text then the problem is on the print. If however it comes out in the same place relative to the previous position on the blanket then it is definitely a mug blanket problem and I think you will need to contact monster doodles and ask them to replace the blanket.

I would assume you can use one of your cheaper monster doodle mugs for this test as you are only trying to establish if it is the print or the mug.

[cupsforcops]

You can definately not see it on the print, that's for sure. The print, even under a magnifying glass looks completely equal. I will try turning it round. Thanks

[rossdv8]

Is it possible you have a tapered element in the press? This type of press can take a number of different elements.

I have a similar press and the only way I can get it to close like that is to close it when it is fitted with the element for tapered mugs. If I close it with the element for straight mugs I can force it to look like that, but it settles back to almost straight.

Just a thought..

[mrs maggot]

Is it possible you have a tapered element in the press? This type of press can take a number of different elements.

I have a similar press and the only way I can get it to close like that is to close it when it is fitted with the element for tapered mugs. If I close it with the element for straight mugs I can force it to look like that, but it settles back to almost straight.

Just a thought..

it does almost look like a latte press you have there with the tapered end, i would try turning the mugs half way through and see what happens - and also using a tapered mug if you have one at home, and just seeing how it fits