OK so I am new to Dye Sub but not to design or print but I am having issues with some tiles.
I purchased a dozen 6 x 8 tiles and a quantity of 6x6 tiles to run some test prints with our new kit. Reproducing fine art images is a major issue but I seem to have the photography side of it nailed now. I use a Nikon D3200 with a 50mm lens, a pair of 5200 soft box lights and am getting fairly true to colour images. I then resize Raw images in Photoshop and make any minor adjustments that may be required. My partner is pleased with the colour replication.
I then print the images on our Ricoh SG 3110n A4 printer which is using Sublet R inks and been set up as per Sawgrass instructions, I also have the correct ICC profile running in photoshop.
My problems are with the 6x8 tiles, poor quality colour, blemishes, fading and a ridicules colour, however I have run some test pressings on the 6x6 tiles and have got amazing results. WHY such a difference??? I have tried increasing the heat slightly and increased the pressing time by an extra 2 mins and yet not produced one saleable 6x8 tile. BTW both sizes of tile were from the same supplier.
The pressing method I am using is as follows.
10mm Nomax type pad
sheet of silicone paper
printed image face up
Tile face down
sheet of silicone paper
3mm teflon sheet
I have tried Temp at 190c and also 210c
pressing time has been 5mins (works great on 6x6 tile) and also tried 7min pressing time on the 6x8.
All equipment is new.
One final observation on the 6x8 tiles is that the surface seems to have some raised particles under the coating and these end up showing up as very light blotches
I'd appreciate your comments as this is putting the whole venture into jeapordy at the moment and to top it all I've not got much her left to begin with.....
If it helps I can get the camera out and post some examples
Thanks for looking
John