Bone China Mugs- fuzzy spots

[Fanfare-Print]

Hi guys

Having had nothing but headaches with the mug oven we have bought a mug press from Coralgraph, and the results have been much better...

HOWEVER...

We are trying to print the 10oz Windsor mugs we have, and after ten failures, we're beginning to loose heart.

The problem - although the majority of the image now looks acceptable, there is always a few areas that are fuzzy, and when you look at the paper after being removed you can see the affected area (it looks like a grease mark on the print).

EQUIPMENT - Ricoh 7100, sawgrass inks, Truepix paper, Coralgraph mugpress set at 185deg for 165 seconds.

We've worked through a range of temps and times but just don't seem to be getting anywhere. I was wondering if some of the problem regarding the top edge is because of the shape of the Windsor mug (the lip of which has to remain outside of the element), but HOW do we get rid of the fuzzy spots?

Hopefully the pictures will illustrate the issue far better than my explanation!

Thanks in advance all for your advice.

Shawn

[ArferMo]

It's either a hot spot or insufficient pressure in that blurred area.

[Andrew]

China mugs more often than not have a barrel shape. It will take more pressure in the press to try and account for this but even then the print area needs to be kept within a comfortable parameter to limit the blurring. It is possibble to get upto 70mm with a press on these types of mugs but 65mm max might give you an easier life. Ovens and wraps are what would make a larger print easier but guess you had no joy down that route.

[Reg]

I always use a silicon wrap to make up for the lip and up the time and temp on this type of mug.

[Paul]

to me look like to hot in this place so hot spot.. also to much temperature. so i would lower temp down and higher the time a little. also bit less pressure may help with fuzziness.

[Fanfare-Print]

Thanks for your input so far. So, what is being suggested is either -

to use a silicone wrap around the mug (to try and even out the pressure) to increase the time by ??

or

Reduce the pressure, reduce the heat (from 185 - 175?) and increase the time (from 160 - 180?)

I'm sorry if I've being really daft here guys - we're pretty new to this and really want to get it right...

[Paul]

start from 170C for 220sec. you use ricoh so gel inks dont need so much heat.

[Fanfare-Print]

Hi Paul

Have just taken one out of the press done at 170 for 220 and, the result is very poor. There is an awful lot of ink left on the paper, rather than the mug, and the 'heat spot' is still affecting the same area - any thoughts?

[Fanfare-Print]

The element certainly appears to have some hot spots in it - is this classed as a fault? It's brand new (as in arrived from Coralgraph afternoon), so, if so I'll give them a ring tomorrow.

It doesn't seem to matter what we do with that element, it always has the blur patches. The 10/11oz one is fine and we can churn out mugs all day with no problem.

[Paul]

ask Henry for blanket replacement then. as if it burns one part of your mug but not transfer another then its 100% faulty.