Fading... help!

[mugg]

Hi,

New to this forum and new to the world of dye sub.. I hope someone can help me before I go through all my profits trying to fix this problem.

I have a Ricoh SG3110DN using Powerdriver v4, printing to Pixmax AAA grade 11oz mugs, using an MP105 Durham heat press () and this dye sub paper: ()

I have printed and pressed about 8 mugs and all have the same problem - fading to parts of the image, see photos:

vB_ID:3831

fading problem.jpg (82.38 KiB) Viewed 10 times

The faded areas seem to be at the top and bottom of the mug. The image quality in the middle is fine. I have been pressing from 180 seconds to 250 seconds and same problem arises. I have taped the paper to the mugs in various ways as I thought the paper wasn't tight enough in places but I cut around the image and stuck tape all the way round and still got the problem. I also removed the mug from the press halfway through and pressed it the other way up as I thought I may have bad areas on the press but same results.

Has anyone got any ideas as to what I can try next? I've ordered another 36 mugs from a different supplier in case it's a bad batch of those. I'm out of ideas!

[GoonerGary]

The pattern on the mug suggests that the heat blanket is not delivering enough heat. It is a very budget mug press, I've dumped or returned three of those blue signzworld presses. What temperature do you have it set at? It should be 180 to maybe 195/ 200 degrees centigrade with about 180 seconds in time once warmed up to full temperature.

[cvgpeter]

Hi

GoonerGary hit the nail on the head, the blanket s are not good on them presses, from my experience

Peter

[mugg]

OK thanks.
As far as I know there's no temperature setting on this unit, just the time to set.
If this is the case, I'll be sending it back. Anyone recommend a GOOD budget press?

[GoonerGary]

You are right, this budget press has an 'intelligent' heating element. They seem to have got one over on Adkins then.

[Paul]

i send you pm with some info.

[mugg]

Thanks all.

I am returning the press and getting a refund. I'll get shelling out for something of more quality over the weekend. Hopefully this time it'll work!