Page 4 of 5

Re: Is this normal?

Posted: 20 Mar 2011, 15:25
by John G
If you leave to go cold naturally, without cool air or luke warm water, you might be risking a blurry end product - the cooling process should be done as Ian said "to end the sublimation process".

Use sub heat tape and attach the paper to the mug as tight as possible - this stops any blurring too! also when taking the paper off make sure you take it off fast without it touching the mug again - I've done this and you do get a double image

Well done on your first mug.

Re: Is this normal?

Posted: 20 Mar 2011, 15:28
by AdamB
I also found that I had blurred mugs depending on the type of mug used ............... the 'problem' ones turned out to be 'non' dishwasher proof which was resolved by getting in some mugs that were.

Well done on your first mug :-)

Re: Is this normal?

Posted: 20 Mar 2011, 15:30
by John G
Good point AdamB, same goes with ink, paper etc.

Re: Is this normal?

Posted: 20 Mar 2011, 15:32
by Justin
I can honestly say I've always dunked but I've changed mug suppliers a couple of times over the years so maybe now is a good time to run a few tests and see what happens....It would certainly speed things up to not have to dunk & dry!

Re: Is this normal?

Posted: 20 Mar 2011, 15:41
by John G
I used to dunk but didn't like the pinging sound - cannot be good for the mug. I did a few tests when I had first started sublimation printing and the earlier dunked mugs, after a few washes, the glaze went like crazy paving. Of course they look fine when 1st done but after you've sent them to the customer how do we know the glaze is going to stand up to the tests of time.

Everyone's got their own way of doing things - don't think there is a correct way as its not just black and white, its full colour sublimation. :smile:

Re: Is this normal?

Posted: 20 Mar 2011, 15:55
by phoenixalpha
I always dunk and leave to dry. Admittedly its never freezing cold water but warm water which helps cool down quickly but not *too* quickly. Anyway the water heats up after half a dozen mugs so its usually always warm

Re: Is this normal?

Posted: 20 Mar 2011, 16:20
by Justin
I used to find the Listawood mugs always pinged, it's a horrible noise! lol. The BMS ones seem fine but I also use room temp. water.

Re: Is this normal?

Posted: 20 Mar 2011, 16:59
by justme
Just done a perfect one...had the pressure up a bit more...really, really pleased!

Bit confused about the xpres instructions with putting a cold mug in and letting it regain temperature and then starting the process with the printable mug...may give thema buzz tomorrow.

But anyway...happy girl :)

Thanks for support thus far :)

Re: Is this normal?

Posted: 20 Mar 2011, 17:02
by John G
This could be to protect the mug blanket - I leave a sacrificial (old) mug in the press at all times, even when switched off. When you come to use the press switch on and when up to temp take the sacrificial mug out and put the mug in to be printed. I think it helps to keep the blanket in shape!

Re: Is this normal?

Posted: 20 Mar 2011, 17:07
by AdamB
Use a mug (the same one) to keep in the press to get it to the temp that's required. Once it's there and peeps stick your mug into cook. Whilst it's cooking prepare any other mugs (or better still have them ready before hand), so once the first mug is finished you can replace with another and click the start button again.

It'll get to the required temp a little quicker as it is already hot but it won't start to count down until it reaches that temp again.

Repeat with the mugs you need to do.

:-)