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Re: Sublimation Printing onto Acrylic Sheets

Posted: 19 Jul 2016, 17:33
by spezzo
I want to print onto clear acrylic perspex sheets, I've seen a few youtube videos, so know it can be done.

What sort of time and temperature should I be using on my heat press? Also the thickness of the sheet is only 3mm, will this cause a problem?

Thank you for any advice given.

Re: Sublimation Printing onto Acrylic Sheets

Posted: 20 Jul 2016, 12:43
by ISub-Sarah
Hi

We suggest 180 degrees C for 180 seconds with medium pressure and you will need to use Dye Sublimation paper. The acrylic we supply is also 3mm so this should work okay for you.

When you open the heat press it is best to remove the paper immediately. Allow to cool flat by placing a heavy object on the top of the printed acrylic until fully cool.

I hope this helps!

Kind regards

Sarah

Re: Sublimation Printing onto Acrylic Sheets

Posted: 20 Jul 2016, 13:14
by spezzo
Ok that's great, thanks for your reply. I'll give it a go.

Re: Sublimation Printing onto Acrylic Sheets

Posted: 20 Jul 2016, 14:07
by ISub-Sarah
Hi,

You are very welcome.

Just to let you know the acrylic we use is white and it must be cast acrylic not extruded.

Please let me know how you get on.

Kind regards

Sarah

Re: Sublimation Printing onto Acrylic Sheets

Posted: 22 Jul 2016, 10:28
by spezzo
I just did it for 180 seconds using temp 180 and the sheet melted! Any ideas? :-)

Re: Sublimation Printing onto Acrylic Sheets

Posted: 22 Jul 2016, 10:53
by spezzo
Ok sort of got it, but the sublimation paper is sticking, would this be too long under the heat press or the temp too high?
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Re: Sublimation Printing onto Acrylic Sheets

Posted: 24 Jul 2016, 09:30
by spezzo
Can anyone guide me?

Re: Sublimation Printing onto Acrylic Sheets

Posted: 24 Jul 2016, 09:47
by pisquee
What transfer paper are you using?
Try backing off the pressure, and starting at 60 seconds and working upwards from there. Too much pressure and the paper will leave its texture in the acrylic or stick to it!
Am sure when we last did acrylic sheets, it took a bit of trial and error testing different temperatures and times, it may have even been somewhere in the region of 30-45 seconds
As isub said, it needs to be cast acrylic and not extruded
We use spare off/cold heat presses to clamp the printed sheets into to keep them flat, or the other method, which worked better, but took longer was to put them into a press preheated to 100C and turn the press off, so that it cools slowly, rather than abprubtly into a cold press.
As for paper sticking - it should wash off with soap and water.

Other things to note, it can be good to preheat the acrylic between sheets of paper in a press to get rid of any moisture - you will see this come off as steam - same goes for your transfers -make sure they're dry before trying them, otherwise you will get a blotchy/bubble effect on the print.

Re: Sublimation Printing onto Acrylic Sheets

Posted: 24 Jul 2016, 10:08
by spezzo
Thank you for your kind response.

The paper I'm using is Jet-Stream Digital F35.

I need to find out what type of acrylic it is.

I have only one press, so will have to cool it by placing a heavy object into it.

Thank you for your tips, I will give it another go.

Re: Sublimation Printing onto Acrylic Sheets

Posted: 11 May 2017, 09:50
by artcutgraphics@gmail.com
sir, is crolor Cast acrelic or clear cast acrelic is sublimation printing?

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