Is this normal?

[AdamB]

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!

beat me to it John - but I used more words

[Justin]

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Is this your press? If so, it's same as mine. As John mentions above, I leave a plain mug in when warming up/cooling down.

[justme]

Yup, that's my press...so you switch it on with an old mug clamped in place...let it reach 180, take that mug out...stick the prepared mug in...as soon as you close the handle, it starts the count down...when you've finished all your pressing, you put an old mug back in and leave it to cool down with old mug in place?

Is that the process? Whoops - I let mine heat up and cool down in an unclamped position without a mug in today...

Gosh you're all so brilliant - who needs xpres support when you have you lot?!

Thanks so much - if I've got this process wrong, please tell me!!

Just thrilled to have reached where I've reached already today!!

Sadie

[Justin]

That's exactly it Don't panic about not having a mug in...just don't keep doing it! lol. You'll find it a great press, I was going to say cracking but that would be a poor choice of words!

....and Xpres don't work on Sundays! Be sure to tell them how good we are next time you call.

[justme]

Bit a non essential question...but the sacrificial mug...can it be my first one - that was a bit splodgy...or does it need to be a plain one?

Wasn't sure if putting a previsouly printed mug in a warming up/cooling down press would cause anything to come off on the press??

Thanks...hoping to win an xpress flat press on ebay tonight...got right into this

[Justin]

Use a new plain mug. The image off the printed one may ghost if it gets above a certain temperature...basically the sublimation process will start again.

I did see an Xpres press on eBay...do you know how old this one is you're after? My reason for asking is that the build quality changed a while back. I'm not 100% sure but I believe manufacture was moved to the far east. The newer ones are still very good but I prefer the older presses personally (having had both) as the build quality just appears to be a little better. You may or may not know, Adkins are a Leicestershire based company, I'm not sure if the older presses were made there.

These presses are a good investment as they seem to be holding there price very well at the moment

[justme]

Sent you a PM Justin, thanks.