DSF

I’m new to mug pressing, but after a few attempts managed to get a few mugs spot on!!
By the way I’m using Laserjet paper.

I started off over leaving the mug in the press for a bit longer than the instructions said as some parts of the design weren’t coming out. I increased the pressure on the mug and the design came out Ok, but it left a grey area behind the print as I’d over cooked it.

With the press set tighter and to the correct time I got some great looking mugs and was pretty pleased with myself!!
But I’m still getting some of the design on some mugs not sticking to the mug and peeling off when the paper is removed.

The mugs are dipped in a bowl of water while I peel the paper off.
What am I doing wrong? Should I peel the paper off while the mug is still boiling hot or should I soak the paper longer.

Any tips for a newbie would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Toner on mugs,
The following works with the TMT CPM material, other materials will differ.

Wrap press, heated element on the outside and a simple countdown timer.Normally 160 degrees and 100 / 120 seconds but this depends on the mugpress. A good pressure is needed.

Wrap press with an Idle temp and then starts counting down once it reaches the set temp, @ 20 secs again depends on the press.

Lamp press (TMT HTP616) see instructions, this can glaze the mug after pressing.

It works best with coated mugs, the ideal coating is CLC coated not normal sublimation mugs, these have too hard a surface.
It can work onto uncoated mugs but will need longer and may not have a great key to the surface, very mug dependent.

Press, place in cold water to cool and peel cold.
Missing bits can be caused by lack of pressure - the mugs may not be straight sided, check with a steel ruler. Fingerprints / grease on the surface will cause similar problems. The mug must be clean!

Once done then cook in a domestic oven 180C for 10 mins to gloss and harden, a gas blowtorch can be used to remelt the surface and gloss it , takes a bit of practice! If you have a HTP616 then put on the lamp to glaze

Alan

Thanks for your reply Alan.
I'm heating for 120 seconds and clamping the mug harder now.
I'm then heating in a small oven for 10 mins afterwards
The mugs I've had success with look great and have been through the dish washer a few times and still look good.
Finger prints and dirt on the mug surface could well be where I'm going wrong.

I'm going to cook some more over the weekend and take a bit more care in what I'm doing. Hopefully you've cracked it.

Excuse the pun.