Press vs. oven

[chocitiger]

Being super new to to dye subbing mugs [ 1 days experience ] just wondering about press vs. mug oven.
I can consistently achieve a decent, no fades / banding 210mm print on a 11oz 80mm diameter mug but this does still leave quite a gap from the handle. Not too bad for most prints but I would like to be able to get closer. Do I need a better press ? Or would a mug oven / wraps be a better bet ?

My 2nd post so once again any help is very gratefully appreciated.

Lol Kaz.

[jennywren]

I have both, and use the mug oven on bigger orders and the mug press for small orders. I like both and it depends small or big which I use, but for some reason I don't mix the two together. Just a quirk of mine. I think its a matter of perference. I have a gap between the handles. But when I do the image landscpace I can get closer. Your tenplate would be bigger as there is more lengh to go on the landscape, does that make sense.

[chocitiger]

Thanks Jennywren & I think I've got the gist of what your at & think I might give an oven a go too…

Lol,
Kaz.

[JSR]

I have both but my mug ovens don't have very good heat blankets (one's long in the tooth, the other has a cheap blanket).

For photographs or prints that need to get near the edge of the mug (and for all oddball sized mugs), I use the mug oven for better and more consistent results.

For large orders of mugs with just text/designs that don't need to be near the edge of the mug or the handle, I use the mug press because I find it much quicker and far less fiddly than the mug oven.

I should invest in the better quality mug press but finances don't permit that right now.

[Kaz]

Which oven are you thinking about?

[jennywren]

I never relized that there was different ovens you learn something every day. The only thing I wish that mine was bigger and took more mugs

[chocitiger]

Hi,
thanks for all the info & sorry for my slow reply, but been home to Norway to see my mum !
I have been playing today with a newly acquired mug oven [ Flavorwave platinum halogen ] and all seems well. I only have one clamp at the moment a German made device and so far results have been pretty good, but I have burnt my fingers as mugs get very hot indeed. I am, as some of you have said in your posts, now able to get very near to the handle which gives a more professional look to my mug and I am pleased.
I would like more clamps but seem to have trouble finding them - the sizes I would like are out of stock. Does anyone know where I can get 72mm, 80mm and latte clamps from ? I especially like the design of the one I have [ it is labelled [url="http://www.printequipment.de]http://www.printequipment.de[/url] ] as it is very easy to wrap successfully and unclips easily when hot, I do not think I would manage with the bolt on type when they are hot.
I think I will still need a mug press as it is I guess much easier and faster to produce a single mug with a press but think that I should maybe spend a bit more money and get a better one than I have. It was only £95 on ebay. It is quite good but I would like one that could cope with more sizes and maybe a bit nearer the handle than mine.
I have sen quite an expensive machine DK3 that seems to be suitable but has anyone used one or can anyone recommend a different press.
Once again thanks for any advice.
Lol,
Kaz.

[Justin]

Get some heat resistant gloves and save your skin!

Check these out......

[url="http://www.coolskin.com/searchresults.a ... oryid=1178]http://www.coolskin.com/searchresults.a ... oryid=1178[/url]

I used to own a DK3. The one I had was a recon. bought through a sublimation supplier. I never really got on very well with it to be honest. That said, they are known for being the rolls royce of presses, I think the one I bought had seen better days They're extremely expensive and having used much cheaper presses I don't really think I could justify that price tag.

[chocitiger]

Hi Justin,
thanks for the input… Yes I really do have to invest in some gloves. The oven is working out great now and I'm thinking over wether a DK3 is the path forward. I have read both good and bad things. I think it will print much closer than my current press but if I read correctly it is a very slow process time of 6 mins for a standard mug. Not quite sure why this is so, I would have thought once press is at temp. then time is the same. I will have a phone around this week and see if I can get some info. Luckily for me, the cost of the machine will be met by my husband as a gift...

[chocitiger]

& Coolskin gloves are now on my list !