T shirts

[colmac01]

Good evening everyone. I am having a problem with sublimation T shirts. Every time I print a subli T shirt I get shadowing. Not just some times. All the time. I must admit I am getting pretty P'D off with it now. Can anyone please advise.
I am using a Ricoh printer with Sawgrass inks and True pix paper. My press is a pressmech press and it prints everything else fine. I get the T shirts from Xpres. I am sure everyone else is not having these problems. Any help would be very much appreciated

[Justin]

Are you taping the transfer down and/or putting a silicone sheet over it? Shadow/ghosting is usually caused when the press is lifted and the transfer moves slightly.

[colmac01]

Are you taping the transfer down and/or putting a silicone sheet over it? Shadow/ghosting is usually caused when the press is lifted and the transfer moves slightly.

Thanks Justin, I have tried taping the transfer down and it is still happening, I am wondering if it is the fact that I have a teflon sheet on the bottom platen. I must say it is driving me crazy, and costing me too much money with the amount of t shirts i am wasting. It only ever happens on T shirts!

[JMugs]

Is the ghosting 1 direction?

[Justin]

Would be good to see a pic is possible.

[colmac01]

Would be good to see a pic is possible.

Hi Justin. I have attached photo of t shirt

[JMugs]

That would appear to be the paper shifting, either as you close the press, or as you open the press. The paper is hot and the gas is transferring, hence as the paper moves it throws the shadow.

A spray adhesive (3m Scotchweld 75) could be your new friend.

Janners

[soulclaimed]

If you live near a shop called the range they sell a temporary adhesive spray in use it and it works great and once pressed doesn't leave any residue if used sparingly

[pisquee]

3M 75 Spray
http://www.transair.co.uk/sp+3M-Scot...ML+YP208061116
Repositional adhesive spray, designed for high temperature work, leaves no residue, and doesn't affect the transfer process. Is pricey, but you just need a "light mist" - hold can about a metre from the paper when spraying, and only use a little short spray.
We use this for all the textile print work we do.

[Justin]

Never tried that spray, always meant to but it is very expensive. If this is the same as they use in screen printing be very careful of the overspray...messy!

Looking at the photograph, am I right in thinking the shadow is only at the bottom? it seems to be blowing out to the left on one side, right on the other. I totally agree that this is still shifting but I'd also check the print prior to pressing for overspray.