DSF

Good afternoon, i am hoping that someone could advise on an issue i have with coasters at present.

Images come out blotchy, and i have had a good look through this forum on the issues threads but not found the answer.
I didnt want to come on here without a good read and a play about before i start wasting too much stock.

It could be something simple, or just something im doing wrong.

I have tried different times and temps and still get this issue. (please see attached photo)

I am using
Photoshop
MDF Cosaters
Sublinova Ink
Ink experts paper
Epson ET
Ok its a Chinese swing press (but still works great)
Medium or a touch over medium pressure.
250F-300F for 50 seconds

Not had issues doing coasters for the last 12 months and find it relaxing and stress reliving to do.

Regards
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You need the temp to be higher, I use 187c, recommended temp is 200c (depends on your press how accurate it is) for 60 seconds.

Are you seeing any moisture steaming when pressing?

No theres no moisture and i keep the coasters in a warm enough room. If its clothing, i usually warm press them prior to taping the transfers on etc so maybe the coasters need to be treated similar before i tape my images to them too.
Ok excellent, ill get a temp gun tomorrow from work and double check the plate temp against the digital display on the machine. Have a great weekend Justin.

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Well that came out a whole heap worse.

Pre heated coaster for a few seconds
300 degrees F for 60 seconds.

Hopefully you can see the image attached.

Getting stressed about this now which isn't a nice feeling.

I press at 190oC for 60 seconds and a firm pressure.

It does look like moisture though. I get like a ghosting white smoke effect in my blacks if the coasters are a little moist.

press them white face down for 20 seconds and then let cool then apply print and press.
I find the wooden bases are a magnet for moisture even in a dry environment ent.

Hey, hopefully Mrteajunkies advice has fixed your problem, I've had issues with this before and it usually comes down to excess moisture so pre-pressing coasters definitely helps.

Another wee tip I think I read on here somewhere is to put a sheet or 2 of copy paper above your sublimation paper when pressing.

I use cityink's sublimation paper and they've started putting a note in their packs saying to keep paper in a cool dark environment and not to leave unused sheets in your printer as it can draw in moisture from the surrounding air - I'm definitely guilty of this in the past & guessing it may have caused some issues!

I haven't done coasters for a long time, but I used to pre-press with chip shop paper to catch moisture. Then press for the image transfer, again with chip shop paper on top. I also did this for the MDF panels and aluminium panels.
I was was amazed at times at the amount of moisture that came out of the aluminium panels, never mind the wood products.

Janners

Sorry i thought I had replied to this a few days ago. So sorry.

Yeah it seems to be working out a lot better by pre heating the bases of the coaster upside down, thank you. Unable to check temp of plate for accuracy till I get my temp gun back from calibration. Excellent advice though, maybe this house i moved to is colder than the house I started this small business/hobby in.