Fade at Edge & Bottom of Mug using automatic mug press

Hi All,

We are currently using the J Trans automatic mug press. We have a Ricoh AficioSG700DN printer and use Sawgrass Sublimation Ink Sublijet R.

We've just got our machines temperature gage calibrated and new blankets on. But our 11oz mugs are showing a fade out at the bottom and edge, even though the artwork is well in from the blankets edge to ensure the heat element reaches it. When we do our 15oz mug in the same press it comes out perfect.

As the press is automatic we cannot adjust the pressure and was not sure if this would be the problem, but surely as it's automatic it should gage the correct pressure?

Images attached below.

Attachment 6912 Attachment 6913

Any suggestions would be extremely appreciated as we are binning mugs in the dozens as some are coming out fine and others not.

Kind regards,
Martin

Which brand of 11oz mugs are you using? Have you checked for distortions by standing 2 mugs together, touching each other, and seeing if there are any gaps between them?

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Originally Posted by webtrekker

Which brand of 11oz mugs are you using? Have you checked for distortions by standing 2 mugs together, touching each other, and seeing if there are any gaps between them?

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We've check this and yes, there is the bottoms of the mugs do not touch compared to the top that does. (see image) We've got some new mugs and they are so much better but there is still the slight fading in the same area.

Attachment 6914

The main reason why prints fade at the bottom is usually due to the thick base acting as a heatsink. You can try preheating the base before pressing or, as I used to do before switching to an oven, preheat the whole mug in a second heat press if you have one. I used to apply the transfer and heat the whole lot up to 110°C (below the sublimation temperature range) then press for 3 minutes in my main press at 180°C. Not ideal, I know, and switching to better quality mugs helpeda lot in my case, although I still prefer the oven.