Adkins press, should this be like this?

[scotty44]

Janners, I did try wrapping it today but didn't increase the temp/time enough then I had to go out so left it at that,
The bit with the "ribs" is the heating element , it's attached on the left hand side to the thick sponge (you can just make out the metal plate holding it on the picture)

[scotty44]

Are you sure the ribbed bit is the element and not just an extra piece of silicone to use depending on mug size used - it's what I'd assumed, as I couldn't work out why it was a flappy/loose bit otherwise.

Deffo the element mate, pulled it out and turned it on, heats up straight away.

[GoonerGary]

Do you have a photo of the faint lines on the mugs? They might be down to having the blanket too tight rather than the patterned element. Do you put a sheet of copy paper around the transfer before pressing? Not sure if the latter would make a difference though. If all else fails, a Chinese press would cure all of this.

[scotty44]

Not the best picture from my phone but here's one....



No I dont use anything other than the printed paper, think I might get a thin sheet of silicon and try that, then again I think a cheap press will do the job

[Justin]

Definitely put another sheet inside, just 1mm or 2mm thick and press again extending time and temp by 10% maybe.

[Andrew]

If it were me trying to solve it my answer would start with More. More time, heat or pressure........ or a combination of the 3. The lines are there as the heat from the elements didn't get through to the mug well enough. If the pressure is firm I would add an extra 30 secs and 5c. You also might want to heat the base of the mug a little to get that area less of a drain on the heat when in the press. Good luck.