Rock slates

[robhil]

So many opinions on this.

I have some 15cm dia. rock slate to sub.

I have a Adkins press using paper from xpres and sawgrass inks in a Ricoh GX e3300n printer.

Is it print face up on bottom or face down on top is it 6 mins or 8 mins do I use teflon or baking parchment

I know this is not an exact science as heat presses, ink, paper varies

But one would have thought there is an average.

Would like some help please.

[Justin]

I warm for at least 2 mins. Then, slate in press, transfer on top (so facing down) then greaseproof paper then white sponge pad. Cook for 500 secs, 197c.

[robhil]

Thanks Justin, I only have a 2mm thick silicon sheet instead of a sponge pad will that be ok or should I reduce the time a little.

[Justin]

It should be ok, just see how well it prints over the edges.

[robhil]

Justin thanks for your help.

I made a complete c**ck up of reading your instructions and did it with print face up then slate then baking parchment then silicone sheet. Did 197Deg. for 8 mins and it turned out fine'ish OK on main part but not so good on the edges
Just wondering if I had done it the correct way as you suggested do you think I would have burned the ink. Going to try another one as you suggested. (got to stop working late on Sundays my mund can't take it)

[Justin]

Doing it that way you'd have to get the full heat to penetrate right through the slate. Make sure you pre-warm both the slate and pad just by resting the upper platen on top for a couple of minutes.

You won't burn the ink, not sure what you mean by that?

Remember these slates get extremely hot!

[ATOJAR]

I use a 1mm rubber membrane i also have a 2mm thick silicon sheet that i bought from Ebay but the results dont come out as good as using the 1mm rubber membrane. My press is at 197c and i press for 530 seconds. I place my slate on the press with a plain sheet of paper over the slate(stops ghosting)print side up then put my rubber membrane on top and and pre-heat both slate and membrane for around 30 seconds(this will depend on where you slates are stores, in or out doors)i then place my print on then membrane again print side up and press for the above time and temp. Results are great. Well we sell a lot of these without a complaint yet. (below is just one of many designs)

https://imgur.com/a/KCp6m

[robhil]

Thanks Justin & Atojar I will try when I get a chance.
Justin I asked on a facebook site as I left a slate in for about 10mins and it came almost sepia coloured, I was told I had possibly cooked the inks?

[ATOJAR]

From my experience yes you can "overcook" and "burn" the ink. Sorry I forgot to say in my post I normally rest the press on the slate, print and membrane for about 30 seconds to heat the ink up before I actually apply the pressing pressure.