Best way to press a mug

[A11kns]

Some of you may have seen my other post.. just a quick check on my settings:

180 deg
180 sec

print and leave to dry 5-10 min, then press mug.

I have been following to technics both have their troubles.

1. Put mug in press and pre heat to 180...remove mug and wrap art around mug before pressing. this is ok, but I burn my fingers and if the print touches the mug and I have to move the image I get a smudge!

2. Wrap the print around a cold (room temp) mug, put in press... wait for the press to get back up to 180 then press and time for 180... bad or good idea?

Cheers
Dan

[Justin]

Personally I run with the second technique, always have a spare blank mug in the press whenever it's heating/cooling/left on etc.

What press are you using?

[A11kns]

This is the package I purchased: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300787936337? ... 1439.l2649

[A11kns]

Do you dunk in luke warm water after pressing?

[Justin]

Often discussed on here, a quick search will throw up other options. Personally I always put into room temp. water to cool.

[purpledragon]

Just to throw an opinion in , the ebay add says quality heat press , this is not a quality heat press its a standard chinease mug press . There seems to be a lot of faffing about with mug pressing most of which im sure isnt needed. Preheating a mug is not only a burn hazard but isnt necassary, yes your mug press needs to be at the correct temp for use but put an old blank in while this heats up as justin said. Once at the correct temp you can start pressing mugs.
Asking others what correct temp and times are is pretty pointless as this will vary from machine to machine infact my double head press runs both heads at differnt temps the only reason you should ask for temps and times would be to get a ball park figure after that you will need to fine tune it. This will involve you screwing a few blanks up whilst you get this right . Remember differnt inks will give differnt results ie artanium ink in an epson 1400 will need a longer time setting to gain a good black than a ricoh using sublijetr would.
After all this is said if you cant get a full top to bottom print or colours are not right the chances are its your press, my press cost 700 quid and you can see where the money went excellent press with excellent results i also have a cheap chinease job this is only good for a range of moneyboxes i do that only require text in this game you really do get what you pay for.im not saying the press wont be upto it im just saying it may not be and may not last as long
As for cooling dunk or natural cooling thats a divided opinion down to personal choice i dunk and never had a problem

[A11kns]

Thank you purple dragon. This is only for me to produce mugs for the club.. nothing like you guys. I understand you get what you pay for. My mate runs a screen printing company and its shocking the price he pays for kit.. but like he says.. it makes a difference in the end!.

I have been happy with results so far.. just got to hope the problem I'm having now if due to ink getting on rollers... just given it a clean with cotton buds and isopropyl so all is clean now.
Thanks again.

[purpledragon]

Thank you purple dragon. This is only for me to produce mugs for the club.. nothing like you guys. I understand you get what you pay for. My mate runs a screen printing company and its shocking the price he pays for kit.. but like he says.. it makes a difference in the end!.

I have been happy with results so far.. just got to hope the problem I'm having now if due to ink getting on rollers... just given it a clean with cotton buds and isopropyl so all is clean now.
Thanks again.

hi ive just put an opinion in on that too on your other post ive suffered similar problems in the past and i found it was the paper i was using and the ink not drying quick enough on it what paper are you using?