Printing help needed

[Oaten]

Hi,

Last week I purchased a Richo 3110DN Printer and 3D Vacuum over along with cheap blank phone cases from China which I was told can be used for sublimation. I have gone through roughly 15 cases in the past 2 days trying to get a decent print I go from melting cases, to paper sticking to the cases but under having a really good quality print and even the print being really faded Ive tried a high temp of 190c for 6 mins to 140 for 12mins and I cant seem to get any combination to work.

Also the pressure of my machine is sitting in the red could this affect the printing?

The best finished Ive had is where the paper had been stuck to the case but once it peeled off the quality was pretty good.

Does anyone have any suggestions on why I may be getting these results?

Thanks in advance.

[Justin]

Welcome to the forum Where did you buy the 3D press from?

[Oaten]

From Manchester and this ship it from China so basically China. Its the standard big box one that all over ebay and alibaba. My head is banging trying to work this out.

[g1njeremy]

Hi Oaten,

Don't worry, I pressed over 30 cases and a handful message exchanges with my Chinese supplier until I got it right. I assume you're using the machine in this post:

http://www.dyesubforum.co.uk/vbforum/sh ... view/page8

You can see both Xpress' video and my step-by-step instruction.

Judging from your problem, here are my comments:
1. Do you have both heater on when you preheat the press and does the pressing? 190C in 6 minutes is definitely insufficient UNLESS you have preheated the jig before you press.
2. For the paper sticking problem, I suspect it's the type of paper that you have...
3. Case melting?? This is really extreme. I have never had a case melt in my press unless when I tried to experiment with a case that was NOT meant for sublimation. I've tried 200 C for 12 minutes on an iphone case and I still get a decent result out of the print and the case didn't melt. If the case melts, I'm afraid it's due to the material of the case that is not meant for sublimation.

If you want to double check your case, place it in a normal oven at 190 C for 10 minutes and if it melts, you surely do not have the case for sublimation...

Hope it helps! Cheers!

[Oaten]

Hi G1njeremy,

That is the machine I have.

I have printed some great quality stuff but the only issue is the paper sticking and having to wash the paper off. I use turepix paper.

I use both plates to get to the heat and also while the cases are in there

I have tried a whole range of times and temps.

Would you be kind enough to PM me a step by step guide on what I should be doing to for a standard iphone 5 case?

Also does the paper have to get to a set temp to let the ink transfer?

Thanks for the help

Hi Oaten,

Don't worry, I pressed over 30 cases and a handful message exchanges with my Chinese supplier until I got it right. I assume you're using the machine in this post:

http://www.dyesubforum.co.uk/vbforum/sh ... view/page8

You can see both Xpress' video and my step-by-step instruction.

Judging from your problem, here are my comments:
1. Do you have both heater on when you preheat the press and does the pressing? 190C in 6 minutes is definitely insufficient UNLESS you have preheated the jig before you press.
2. For the paper sticking problem, I suspect it's the type of paper that you have...
3. Case melting?? This is really extreme. I have never had a case melt in my press unless when I tried to experiment with a case that was NOT meant for sublimation. I've tried 200 C for 12 minutes on an iphone case and I still get a decent result out of the print and the case didn't melt. If the case melts, I'm afraid it's due to the material of the case that is not meant for sublimation.

If you want to double check your case, place it in a normal oven at 190 C for 10 minutes and if it melts, you surely do not have the case for sublimation...

Hope it helps! Cheers!

[Oaten]

Ok I just ran a test print running at 190c with 1 heating plate running for 9 mins and this is the result I got

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2481[/ATTACH]

I also noticed slight sticking of paper to the sides of the case. Anyone able to give me advice on what I need to change? I feel im getting so close and I think this is prob the best print Ive had so far.

Thanks in advance

[g1njeremy]

Hi Oaten,

When I mentioned "both heaters", I meant you need to turn on both heating plates...However, your press looks really bad at 9 mins and 190C with only one heating plate...And I notice on the left edge of the case there's paper residue...

I would advise for the next press, you try with both heating plates and 190 C for 10 mins. The funny thing about this pressing machine is, the second or third press will usually take less time (about 30 seconds less) than if you were to press when the machine was just turned on from cold state. If you press with the same 10 minutes, you will start getting color fade and you risk the case getting shrunk.

If you try with both heating plates on and you're still getting the same result, then it seems your paper is a bit at fault..Do you print it on the printable side? I do not have truepix paper since I'm not in the U.S...Nonetheless I know that there are at least two kinds of sublimation paper: one remains "wet" after you print it, The other one dries almost instantly. For me, both have pretty much the same transfer quality.

Good luck!

[Oaten]

I will run a test print now with both plates and post results

[Oaten]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2482[/ATTACH]Looks like its my supplier because this case surly shouldn't do this at 190c 2 plates for 10mins

[ushi]

look like u got the film case, their printing temp is 140c not 190c.