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LVS
19-10-2013, 10:17 PM
Good evening all,

After months of ooh-ing and argh-ing I bit the bullet this week and bought a Ricoh SG3110DN and small swing away flat-press.

I've spent today installing the printer and drivers (ricoh & sawgrass power driver) and have my first batch of images printed ready to go (colours look dull and some faint lines, but hoping when pressed this will change).

However the press didn't come with any instructions other than how to heat it & set time. This is a silly question, but do I need to, or is it recommended to, use any protective sheets (silicon, teflon etc.) in the press with the items; or just place the item with print-out taped on it in the press (transfer side down?) and go?

Press already has a silicon mat glued to the base and top plate is solid metal (want to press metal phone case inserts, teddy t-shirts and towels)

thanks for any advise or help,
Luke

Dave271069
19-10-2013, 10:41 PM
a piece of teflon sheet or grease proof paper will protect your upper plate from ink.

LVS
19-10-2013, 10:44 PM
Hi Dave, many thanks :) Have just been watching videos on youtube (why I didnt think to youtube it earlier instead of ages googling with no luck I have no idea!) and all recommend it - so off to tesco now

I ordered a silicon sheet at the same time too which I have here, is it recommended to use this just underneath the upper plate to protect it from scratching, or will it absorb the heat too much and become a hindrance more than anything ?

socialgiraffe
19-10-2013, 11:14 PM
Hi LVS

I stick a teflon sheet to the base and then cover whatever I am pressing with either a teflon sheet or some baking paper (whatever is closer) this is more to protect my heat press than the item I am pressing. I have never altered any of the settings to compensate for the sheets

LVS
20-10-2013, 01:10 AM
Thanks socialgiraffe,

I had a mad dash down to tesco to get 'greaseproof paper' (all they had) after last posting and have done my first few presses now. I used your technique of paper underneath the item & above it and so far, so good thank you :)

On the whole am happy with the first try, although not overly that pleased with the phone cases as the colours aren't as vibrant as they should have been and have tiny lines in them;
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m570/LVSdesigns/f1339b01-dea7-461c-90d5-8a375022f676.jpg (http://s1132.photobucket.com/user/LVSdesigns/media/f1339b01-dea7-461c-90d5-8a375022f676.jpg.html)

http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m570/LVSdesigns/43e946cb-3b53-4f39-b7f0-86c96a023daa.jpg (http://s1132.photobucket.com/user/LVSdesigns/media/43e946cb-3b53-4f39-b7f0-86c96a023daa.jpg.html)

http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m570/LVSdesigns/6be96261-e6a4-437d-abf7-99570e9acb60.jpg (http://s1132.photobucket.com/user/LVSdesigns/media/6be96261-e6a4-437d-abf7-99570e9acb60.jpg.html)

However think this is a printing issue, so will look more into it tomorrow and playing with settings

Thanks,
Luke