Problem printing polymer coaster

[tiptreegirl]

Has anyone printed polymer coasters before and got a good result? I am having problems - either the colour isn't even or it over heats. Anyone have any suggestions? It's urgent, big order due Monday:(
I've tried 200C for 60 secs and 220C for 120 secs (1st per suppliers website and 2nd per manufacturers website).
Thank you!

[AdamB]

Members might be able to help/advise more if you could post some images of the product?

[tiptreegirl]

Here's the best I've managed to get it so far:
coaster_sm.jpg

[jennywren]

Have the got a film on, just use you nail and feel along the edge sometimes and peel back

[Paul]

do you use normal press or sort of other attachment? what preasure? what printer and ink. dod you use profile? or colours are fine?

[tiptreegirl]

It's a normal flat bed press, Ricoh 3300 printer with gel ink. Medium pressure. There is no plastic covering on the coasters. I use the colour profile that goes with the printer - it's not sure much that the colour is off, it's just not even.

[Paul]

I would try heavier preasure. I never done them before but this is forst thing i would do...

[tiptreegirl]

I've tried heavier pressure, longer time and higher heat - ended up nearly melting one. I think I might have to send them back.
Thanks for your suggestions.

[Paul]

hold on... you said you use ricoh???
as far i know (not try myself) but gelink need far less heat then standard sub ink... if you got few spare try much lower temp. something like 180C for 90sec. print smaller picture so you can try same coaster more then once.


also have you got similar problem with other blanks?? like mugs etc...

[tiptreegirl]

Really? I had no idea I should be using lower temps! I will try again in the morning. I have printed polymer mugs before and they worked really well.
Thank you!!