Hey guys,
Not posted for a while. I've been experimenting with mug sublimation pretty much all this year. And while I think I've learned a lot and have got some pretty good results, I'm still struggling to get consistent good results. I still seem to waste loads of mugs on what seem like random problems. I methodically test and record, finally finding a combination of settings that work - only to come back the next day and find all my mugs are coming out with a red/pink hue, or smudged images, or faded in the corners etc etc etc... it's like black magic.
Are you guys getting constant results? If it's something I'm doing wrong then I'll keep at it until the process is perfect. But if it's just not possible to get consistent results with mug sublimation, I may have to rethink my business as it's just too stressful. I get the impression that my problems come from the pressing side of things. I'm through the woods with regards to printing issues/ICC profiles etc (thank god). Are traditional mug presses the best solution? Are ovens better, or these new 3D machines.
I don't think my problems are due to my hardware or materials. I've learned the hard way about 'buying cheap - buying twice'. When I first started I bought everything off ebay, cheapest possible. And my results got better as I upgraded pretty much everything. I think it's my technique, or if I'm really unlucky - a problem with my press maybe?
I do full wraparound images and my latest problem is like a smudging/blurring in one corner.
Any ideas or advice would be most welcome.
Mug Press - Galaxy Pro
Mugs - Xpres
Printer - Ricoh SG7100
Ink/Paper - Sawgrass