Consistently poor mug prints!

[accdave]

I've been using a mug press for over 2 years with no problems. I have a mug oven which has been sat on top of a cupboard collecting dust for nearly 2 years

[bms]

When does the 180 seconds count down start from? I would have safety mug in press until it reaches operating temp, then put in you mug, start countdown ( I would do 210 seconds from this point). When mug finished put next mug in and start countdown and repeat. If you are switching off for a while and then putting your mug in, then the time in the press is much longer. Scortched paper suggests the press is hot. There is no problems in doing multiple runs with a mug press - they will easily do 50, 100 at a time and even more if you had the work.

[mrs maggot]

if i'm doing a run of mugs i tape the design onto them all first, and then press them one after the other, i make sure the press is back up to temperature before doing subsequent mugs

[Martinx]

I try to cut the paper to the exact height of the mug, but got a burn mark across the lip of the mug and at the bottom after 2 mugs. The edges left and right of paper no burning at all. I sorted that prob by cutting height of paper slightly bigger with a 2mm over hang top and bottom. My issue here is this can cause probs when you want text or an edge of a pic horizontally straight. I use paper from xpress but nothing in between that and blanket. Maybe the heating element is the cause for concern here! Might invest in an oven and wraps for jobs where consistency is key and use press for one off jobs! It's all trial and error! I ended up doing the job of 10 mugs over 2 days and wasted 3 mugs! Not great but will get there.

[mrs maggot]

i have a teflon sheet which i use on mine

[accdave]

I use pre-cut sheets of paper which overlap the top & bottom of the mug. Luckily my partners Dad works for a card printers so I got the last batch of 2,000 for 1p less than a penny

[Martinx]

I just wait for temp to hit 180 then start countdown, once it's finished and beeps I turn it off. I will follow ur guide BMS before I do anything else. I do usually use a safety mug but don't think I did in between mugs on this ocassion and will leave machine on in future and follow your tip Mrs Maggot.

Thanks for all your advice, appreciated as always.

Martinx

[mrs maggot]

supermarket will have them as "teflon" baking sheets - or for the mug press, just cut open on of those sandwhich toaster bags you can get for 99p

[smitch6]

or as lots of use use
normal greaseproof paper
my wifey bought my 2 boxes from morrisons for £1 each still haven't got through the 1st box yet

quick and disposable

[John G]

You've never said what make the mug press is!

Mine doesn't have an idle - once switched on it reaches the temp, but I always keep a sacrificial mug in it. When you have loads to do its a case of take the printed mug out when it buzzes, put fresh one in for printing. Done this with orders of 200+ mugs and its never burnt the blanket out - no need to switch off.