3D Sublimation Using Film

[ArferMo]

@g1njeremy looks like the film cant absorb all the ink on the darker colours where more ink is being laid down so its pooling before it dries. I presume you have messed with the settings for the printer i.e. told it that its printing on film/transparency's

[membrane]

Hi all,

I just purchased the new mini 3d sublimation machine, along with the accompanying low temperature sublimation ink and film. The reason I'm buying this machine is because it can press phone cases with film! And that's what I need!

Here's my setup:
Film: Korean transparent film in A5 size
Printer: Epson T60
Ink: Supplied low temperature ink
Press: New mini sublimation press

My problem is that the printing quality on film itself is grainy for certain colors and not sharp for the edges. Printing is absolutely fantastic on regular sublimation paper so I suspect it's the film...

I've attached pictures:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]2837[/ATTACH] The above setup on film (you need to zoom to see the visual artifacts)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]2838[/ATTACH] The above setup on sublimation paper

This problem directly affects the pressed case at the end.

For those of you who are experienced with the film, I really need your help! What is causing these artifacts on the film? And what can I do to counter it?

Any advice or comment is highly appreciated!


Thanks!
Jeremy

P.S. I tried with regular sublimation ink and the print result is even worse...

Things to consider using film:

-correct heat
-correct pressure
-amount of ink laid down by your printer. I've found using "plain paper" setting to be the best when using film.

What machine are you using and what jig did they include with the machine for film use?

[Meiram]

Hi everyone,

have read all the forum, but seems that could not find the answer to my question.
Would be glad if someone could help me.

I understood from the forum that film can be used with membrane 3d machine too, but my question is:
is it possible to use film with ordinary sublimation ink (which is used with sublimation paper) and with printer Epson l110?

In other words can I just substitute paper with film without any other changes in order to save time with wrapping and to have possibility to use flexible cases, which are designed for film only?

Thanks.

[membrane]

Hi everyone,

have read all the forum, but seems that could not find the answer to my question.
Would be glad if someone could help me.

I understood from the forum that film can be used with membrane 3d machine too, but my question is:
is it possible to use film with ordinary sublimation ink (which is used with sublimation paper) and with printer Epson l110?

In other words can I just substitute paper with film without any other changes in order to save time with wrapping and to have possibility to use flexible cases, which are designed for film only?

Thanks.

We used the same j-teck ink for both film and paper sublimation.

[Meiram]

We used the same j-teck ink for both film and paper sublimation.

Thanks for quick reply.

[membrane]

No problem and good luck. We no longer are in the sublimation business, we switched over to UV flatbed printing. Much easier without all the headaches that comes with sublimation.

[Meiram]

Also was thinking about that. But the price of UV printers are way higher compared to 3d sublimation machines. How do you make 3d cases with UV printer when it comes for example to printing photos? Do you have website of your company? Just wondering how this business is developing in the USA.

[caseseller]

@g1njeremy looks like the film cant absorb all the ink on the darker colours where more ink is being laid down so its pooling before it dries. I presume you have messed with the settings for the printer i.e. told it that its printing on film/transparency's

I am having this problem. The ink pools where there is dark ink and dries. Lettering or fine lines are impossible. The Gold backed film prints wonderfully, but doesnt sublimate well.

[386]

Hi, two weeks ago i bought the ST2030.
The machine works great, but i've some issues with the film.
I've bought the silver film (the korean kind) and they cracks every time
the machine have a preheating temperature that i've set it to 90°c and the heating temperature to 160°c for 360 sec.
so I turn on the machine and consequently the preheating, when the preheating is done i insert the blank cover in the mould and the film over it, i close the machine and i start the heating, the vacuum turns automatically on but after max 15 sec the film crack and the vacuum aspires to empty
Please someone could help me? I'm going mad with this problem

[caseseller]

Hi, two weeks ago i bought the ST2030.
The machine works great, but i've some issues with the film.
I've bought the silver film (the korean kind) and they cracks every time
the machine have a preheating temperature that i've set it to 90°c and the heating temperature to 160°c for 360 sec.
so I turn on the machine and consequently the preheating, when the preheating is done i insert the blank cover in the mould and the film over it, i close the machine and i start the heating, the vacuum turns automatically on but after max 15 sec the film crack and the vacuum aspires to empty
Please someone could help me? I'm going mad with this problem

I actually can help you. I have the ST 2030 but moved to the coffee pot style machine. I have made 100's of cases with the silver and gold film. Do not use the film as the membrane, use the silicon membrane and cut the film (leaving room for bleed) and fit the film on the case. Attach two pieces of heat tape on the top and bottom (with the film/image flat on the case), insuring the film wont move, but dont bend the film. You should have the film flat on the case and the jig, placing the jig in the machine with the silicon membrane installed. Start your vacuum, the case will sublimate.

Note- my ST 2030 broke, and the company wouldnt advise me how to fix it. The vacuum had some sort of issue. I bought a few other machines (the ST 1520) and use paper exclusively. It's much cheaper and once you figure it out looks a lot better than the film. I make 600-1000 cases a month, if you like you can inbox me and I can help you further.