First ever Mug - Bad, Need help !

[NikGrey]

Hi Folks,

I wanted to make something for my Postman, give him the first ever mug off the press - my first batch of Orca Coated mugs turned up this morning so off I went..

Here's how it turned out:
http://nikgrey.com/mug-images/test-mug.jpg

(That is not my printing domain)

I am using pre-cut sub paper (AR01010 - Sublimation Pre Cut Mug Paper).
Image resolution is 300dpi
Press was at 310c for 120 secs as per the press instructions.

I dont have an icc profile so went by the best settings I could gleen from tinterweb: Photo paper. ICM - No Colour adjustment.

Apart from that I am more concerned that the print is kind of half transferred, do I need more pressure (it is quite tight as it is).. Do I need more heat ? I'm completely stuck at the mo and hoping for help - I can see I may get through quite a few test mugs at this rate.

oh, it's an Epson XP-205 printer with CISS and Qualitybits ink.

[NASH]

try pressing at 180* for 180 seconds

[Dave271069]

i dont forget when you put the mug in the temp will go down to about mid 100c let it go back up to the temperture before you begin your 180 sec. try these if no jo im sure the more tech guys will come along and tell you stuff about printer/paper etc.

[NikGrey]

Thanks Fella's - I tried the 180's but that didnt even touch the mug ! I re-read the manual (Well, I say manual - bits of paper which came with it) and there is a 'Slow Press' option:

Place mug in press and clamp, switch on and allow press to reach prelim temp - press button to allow it to heat up to full temp which is when the timer starts.

Advised temps and times were 200 prelim, 300 full and 30 secs times, well, I followed that apart from making the full temp 360 and it has worked.

Only problem now are the colours - I do have blacks and not browns so no 'over cooking' but the image looks nothing like it should so I have asked Paul to make me a colour profile.

I will turn my attention to the Plotter whilst I am waiting for all of this - just got some vinyl today (first batch).

I wonder why I need double the temperatures you guys need ? also it makes a difference how I orientate my Mug's in the press eg, bottom at top as it seems to have a much better coverage that way heat wise.

Will find a better mug press too. I dont think this one is up to much.

Thanks for the help so-far, I'm sure I will be back for more.

[Paul]

is your press not in Fahrenheit then?

[NikGrey]

Yes, Paul, it appears that it is

[Paul]

so put your temp to 360

[pisquee]

You'll need an ICC to get your colours sorted, and Paul (above) is the guy to go to. Be careful though, the ink you have is cheap stuff, not high quality, and not licensed.

[NikGrey]

Yes, Paul is sorting a profile for me and I must admit has been very helpful this evening by answering my questions. I need to settle on a paper stock before I send my charts to him though - he has been helpful with that and everything else.

I realise I am not using licensed ink at the moment but I am just getting started so will waste a lot - once I have got to grips with the equipment maybe I will try something else, no idea yet but it's a big learning curve.
It's not only the sub printing I am dealing with - it's the whole separate Vinyl cutting process to get my head around as well, there is a lot more to that than I first thought but all well worth mastering.. and I will

[socialgiraffe]

I need to settle on a paper stock before I send my charts to him though

Trupix is one of the best ones around.

but I am just getting started so will waste a lot - once I have got to grips with the equipment maybe I will try something else, no idea yet but it's a big learning curve

A good quality ink is one of the key ingredients, results will be sub standard unless you are using decent reliable consistent ink. As you are using a small format printer then the only one is Sawgrass. Not sure on what printer you are using but that may also need to change to a machine more suitable for sublimation printing.

there is a lot more to that than I first thought

Yep :biggrin: