3D sublmation Machine Review

Outstandingly detailed answer Xpress! I think you have really good valid points there.

I actually found samples that I took from my supplier and they all have flawless corners as well which led me to believe that such good corners are perfectly doable. And not only that, their sublimation is perfect at the edges as well, i.e. when you use it on your phone, you really don't see the white color of the blank. So I just need to know how they do their wrapping. If I remember correctly, the supplier told me to preheat the mold and they literally throw the case in a big container filled with water after pressing.

I'm really looking forward for that video of yours =)

Thanks for the write up xpress. Looking forward to the video.

Hi Dye-Subers,

So finally I've managed to get pretty consistent transfer result with this machine AND also pretty nice corners, thanks to the video that the supplier sent me on wrapping the paper. I will ask them to upload into Youtube so that people can see (I don't want to take their credit) :tongue: With quick hands, a person can probably wrap a case under 2 minutes.

Let me recap my steps again:

1. Print image on sublimation paper, let them dry for 5 minutes.

2. Set time and temperature on the machine and turn it on to heat it. I don't preheat the jig now.

Here's my time and temperature setting:
iPhone: 200 C, 10:30
Note 2: 200 C, 11:00
iPad: 205 C, 20:00 (maximum time for timer) + 30 seconds

I'm sure the setting will vary depending on your ink and paper. I think my paper and/or ink is not that efficient...

3. Place case on jig, then wrap paper around the case+jig. I will give the link to the Youtube once the manufacturer has uploaded it. But basically you wrap the paper on the cases, tape two tapes on both sides (left and right sides). Grab a scissor and cut from the bottom and the top along the sides (left and right sides). For iPhone, tape the top and bottom sides with the jig. For cases with more curvature like S3, S4 or Note 2, the top and bottom need not to be taped.

4. When the machine starts beeping as it reaches the set temperature, place your case+jig and latch the silicon frame into the base. Press vacuum! If you don't want to waste heat, close the upper lid and push down on it evenly. This is even more important for iPad as when not enough force is used to press the silicon frame, the silicon itself may get detached from the frame! (Yes, the jig for iPad is huge!)

5. This is the important part. After vacuuming, massage the corner with force from side to top/bottom to remove any air gap between the paper and the case.

6. Once done, peel off the paper and put the case+jig on the cooling jig. Let it cool for 3 minutes. For the iPad, the procedure is to remove the case from the jig first and place it face down on the cooling jig. Then you place the smaller half of the jig on top of the case, THEN the larger half of the jig. Otherwise, the whole thing is too darn big for maneuver. I think it's also important to have the pressing jig pressing on the case to properly shape the case.

Voila, you're done!

Bonus: I've actually tried transfer on the INSIDE of the case with a single color and it turned out not bad!
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5455/9...cc5e15_z_d.jpg

Thanks Jeremy, looking forward to the video.

Please post the video, I'm sure the vendor would be thrilled to get free publicity on here for their cases!

Thanks to all users of this oven. I learn a lot.
So, like others, i would like to see the wrapping video. ;-)

Do you use a cooling mold for the galasy s3 ? I've a little trouble with Samsung galaxy S3 cases which don't fit well on the phone, it's like little too large.
I use green mold i bought in France here : http://www.creadhesif.com/moule-3d-s...galaxy-s3.html

I'm looking for the film you use instead the paper, wich one is it ?
I've the same oven but different stuff for the others parts (Ricoh 3110 DN, SubliJet-R ink, Texprint-R paper)

For admin : I will write my results, do i need to do it in this post or open another one ?

Hi all,

Do you have any issues with ipad 2/3 cases and samsung galaxy s3 cases ?
They are bigger, likely 1 mm, than the phones.
Is it normal ?
I've no cooling mold for that.

Thanks.

Hi LittleShark,

Which brand of cases do you have? I have bought case samples from different suppliers and so far I have found two main types of cases.

One is cases with machined finish inside (Type A), the other with matte finish on the inside (Type B). You could be buying these cases from many vendors as far as I know.

Type A fits really well with the bigger, more expensive, aluminium jigs. And after selling them for a month, I haven't received any complaint so far...

As for type B, and especially the models you have pointed out as well as iPhone 4, they are really loose or bigger than the aluminium jigs. However, the cooling jig really helps to form the cases better on the pressing jig when it cools. And since the aluminium pressing jig resembles the real device more than the blue jig, it is more likely to have better fit after it's pressed. I have done this experiment on type B S3 cases and they fit much better after being pressed and cooled on the jig.

In conclusion, to answer your question, yes it is normal for the case to be bigger than the phone. And if that happens, you need the 2-piece jig set with the cooling jig. I'm sure if you diligently find supplier in China, you'll come across with one that sells such jig. If you stick with the blue jig, I'm afraid you won't have much use for those cases...

As for the videos, here they are. Hope you find them useful! I guess I overlooked the fact that Youtube is banned in China...

iPhone 5 wrapping: http://youtu.be/wWuE8c1YuQ0

Samsung S3 wrapping: http://youtu.be/DZhOwsR8Nl0

Personally, I still haven't managed to replicate their result on curvaceous case like the S3...

Hi g1nJeremy,

Thanks for your answer.
I don't really know what kind of cases i have, it seems its the type B. Could you give me some suppliers selling your product (type A) ?
Same for the jigs, yours, seems to have a better quality (the grey one in your videos) and my suppliers haven't cooling jigs for S3 or ipad.

The supplier told me to keep the case on the mold until it's cold. It's really strange...

So now, i'm looking for the 2-piece jig set with the cooling jig for Galaxy s3 and ipad but don't find it.

I found, what i have for S3 : http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/13...Galaxy_S3.html