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Re: Enamel Mugs

Posted: 19 Mar 2021, 13:25
by ZoeCF20
Any advice welcomed!
Have read previous posts on enamel mugs before posting this and I realise there is a difference in quality between suppliers.

Been asked to do some boxes of these for a customer and ordered from Novachrome. Getting an expected cold band at the top but worse than we thought it would be. Nova were great for getting back quickly with advice but alas situation has not improved by leaving for longer on a lower temp (was doing 200s @ 195c and tried 350s @ 185c). This is a test print with black band to show printable area and leaving for longer just left a patchy look on the block print.
Spoke to Neil Bros who said theirs had no problems but print company next to us said they had bad problems with them from there even in oven.

We press lots of other mugs including full colour top to bottom with no probs whatsoever so not concerned about the presses.

We would normally use xpres for mugs but we all know the chaos out there for mugs at the moment.

If anyone could give us any advice to get this sorted it would be appreciated :)


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Re: Enamel Mugs

Posted: 07 May 2021, 14:34
by martymc
Hi ZoeCF20 did you get anywhere with these? I'm having the same problem - tried lots of different setups & still getting fading towards the top.
The mugs I used were also from Novachrome but I've since ordered some samples from Signzworld and I'm having the same issue.

I'm beginning to think it's an issue with my mug press - Freesub ST-210.

Does anyone out there have any recommendations for printing enamel mugs? best press to use - consistent results - paper - inks etc?

Re: Enamel Mugs

Posted: 10 May 2021, 06:26
by ZoeCF20
martymc;148143 wrote:Hi ZoeCF20 did you get anywhere with these? I'm having the same problem - tried lots of different setups & still getting fading towards the top.
The mugs I used were also from Novachrome but I've since ordered some samples from Signzworld and I'm having the same issue.

I'm beginning to think it's an issue with my mug press - Freesub ST-210.

Does anyone out there have any recommendations for printing enamel mugs? best press to use - consistent results - paper - inks etc?
I'm afraid we didn't get any further forward than being advised 3D oven best bet for them. We are printing them but leaving a larger margin top and bottom than we would have liked. We have tried them on lots of different presses and with different papers. Hopefully someone can give us some further advice if they see this thread :)

Re: Enamel Mugs

Posted: 10 May 2021, 16:31
by Andrew
That is way to optimistic with the print area when using a press. Panel prints with clear white borders are what we tend to go to. Use the black prints to guide you on the parameters of what is realistic. Ovens are the only way to overcome the print area.

Re: Enamel Mugs

Posted: 17 May 2021, 11:38
by martymc
ZoeCF20;148158 wrote:I'm afraid we didn't get any further forward than being advised 3D oven best bet for them. We are printing them but leaving a larger margin top and bottom than we would have liked. We have tried them on lots of different presses and with different papers. Hopefully someone can give us some further advice if they see this thread :)
I gave up on the mug press & bought some shrink bags

The 10oz enamel mugs just fit in the medium sized wraps. If you cut them in half you can get 2 mugs out of 1 wrap!
I heated them in my halogen oven at 170° for 10-11 mins (1 mug) then cooled them with a fan before removing wrap - don't be tempted to remove too early as the enamel can stick to transfer paper when hot. I haven't tried upping the quantities yet but will update once I do...
The print is coming out full colour from top to bottom :biggrin:

Re: Enamel Mugs

Posted: 24 May 2021, 14:00
by ZoeCF20
martymc;148249 wrote:I gave up on the mug press & bought some shrink bags

The 10oz enamel mugs just fit in the medium sized wraps. If you cut them in half you can get 2 mugs out of 1 wrap!
I heated them in my halogen oven at 170° for 10-11 mins (1 mug) then cooled them with a fan before removing wrap - don't be tempted to remove too early as the enamel can stick to transfer paper when hot. I haven't tried upping the quantities yet but will update once I do...
The print is coming out full colour from top to bottom :biggrin:
Excellent news! I think we are going to have to invest in an oven to have this product going forward. Thanks very much for letting me know about the wraps too - appreciated :)