Hi All,
New to the game (couple months) but feel like I've been doing it a million years with all the trials and testing etc. Needing help so I don't throw thousands at this.
So, Equipment -
Epson ET-2714
InkTec Sublinova Inks
Tex-Print / TruePix Paper
FreeSub ST-210 Press / Genie 3 Mug Press
SignzWorld Orca 11oz Durham Mugs
I got into this as a hobby which quickly presented itself with an opportunity, my tattoo artist friend who has started a new project over lockdown whilst being unable to tattoo people has started producing artwork for sale and wanted to move into Mugs/T-Shirts etc. He's well established and has a big following so this is a great opportunity to kickstart my venture. Being a tattooist he's very exacting. It has to be art on a Mug. The Designs are 210mm, Full Top to Bottom.
Highlights of key problems -
-Pickup of Ink on pinwheels leaving tiny dots scattered across image.
-Edge and Base of Mug Fading
-Differing colour results with Left and Right Heating Elements using identical settings. (Blues showing as Green in Left Element and showing correctly as Blue in Right Element)
I've fixed some of these problems.
-Pickup of Ink that I thought was a printer issue (Sorry Christian at Ink Experts, fantastic customer service btw). This was the paper. I changed to TruePix and it went away instantly.
-Differing results, I sorted by purchasing a Genie 3 Press from Listawood. I need the consistency as he will pick up on ever changing mug quality.
This still leaves me with Edge Fading. I cannot for the life of me stop the bottom corners fading. I've tried multiple times, preheats etc. The worst thing is, I went back to the FreeSub (Right Hand Element) with my new paper and the results were better than with the Genie!! I was not expecting this.
I don't want to question the quality of the Genie 3, Truepix & InkTec Sublinova. I believe these to be fantastic quality and it's operator error on my part before I change these.
The only thing I am left questioning is the Orca Coated Mugs. From research I'm lead to believe RN Coating and even the Listawood Duraglaze are better alternatives.
Does anyone have any experience changing mugs and making the problem disappear like magic?
Thanks in advance guys and girls!!!