Faded areas within print on mugs - PLEASE HELP (Tearing my hair out!!)

[Fanfare-Print]

Hi Guys

I wonder if someone can give us some advice...

For starters, we’re using a new Ricoh SG7100DN, with sawgrass ink, on Truepix Classic paper....

Here’s the problem...

We’re using 10oz Bone China Mugs (from Longforte) and ‘cooking’ them in a Halogen Oven. We’re having real difficulty getting an acceptable image – the main problem is ‘faded spots’ on what would otherwise be reasonable mugs – making the mugs useless for selling.

I’ve attached some photos which, I hope illustrate what I’m trying to say. The first two show the last attempt (both sides - note the difference around the SWO and the base of the tree) – at 185 deg for 8 mins (yep, just 8) in the centre of the oven. The last two show some of the other mugs we have done, all with the same problem in the same general area .

It’s beginning to get a bit disheartening to be honest and we would be so grateful for some advice. So far we haven't had one good mug! So, we've stopped using trial and error and are holding fire in the hope that you guys can point a couple of newbies in the right direction.

Thanking you all in advance

Shawn and Maria

[ArferMo]

what sort or wraps are you using

[Fanfare-Print]

We're using silicone wraps - the same as these - http://www.longforte.com/silicone-wraps-for-ovens

[ArferMo]

Ummm.... Thats a shame I was hoping you were going to say the thick neoprene type then I was going to say the problem was due to insufficient or uneven pressure. But the red or green ones should be fine re pressure. Next thought would be a cold spot. do those ovens have a fan.

[Fanfare-Print]

Yep, they have a fan so should distribute the heat evenly. We've moved the mugs around the oven (centre, off centre, handle facing in, handle facing out etc) to try and eliminate the problem but that hasn't worked. The silicone wrap is brand new (came today in the post with the mugs in fact) and feels pretty tight all the way round.

[ArferMo]

I use green wraps in big ovens at 182C if you are sure that your temp is correct (those things have C R A P stats) then try longer time I use 11 mins at 182C on a normal 10/11oz mug. Yours are a bit thinner so would be a little quicker.

[Fanfare-Print]

Thanks ArferMo - I think perhaps an over thermometer might be a worthwhile investment. We tried 185c at 12 which was way too long, 185c at 9 which seems right apart from the faded spots and then 175 at 8, which wasn't long enough. What I can't understand is why the faded area is always in the same general place.

[Quinsfan]

Have you turned the mugs upside down during the time. I was having the same trouble with some Listawood mugs as I think the bases were thicker.

[Fanfare-Print]

Hi Iain. Yes we tried that too, with no result alas. Talking about it with Maria this morning, we thought it might be worth rotating the mug half way through 'cooking' just to see if that has an affect on the finish.

[Reg]

If you're putting the paper on as one piece it's not getting tight enough due to the tapper in these mugs,I cut mine in the middle then remove a small section of themiddle then put on as two separate transfers also I would raise it up or make it slightly smaller.