Aluminium sheet is not glossy after sublimation

[kman21]

Well… thats what i thought and thats why i started messing with the settings. This is moisture. The paper needs to dry for 5 minutes. Maybe more. I also reduced the ink density of my Epson Ecotank a bit. Now im able to get pretty good results with 185c and 60 seconds. No cloth or anything else. Although i can still see the marks that i mentioned first when i put the sheet under a light. They are not that visible though anymore. The sheets are from alibaba… Im looking for another supplier. Any suggestions? Also, are all aluminium sheets that easily scratched? Even a simple wipe leaves lines.

[whitprints]

I only use metal from sublimetals, and 185C 45seconds works great for any size, the large 20x30inch image and 16x24 image on sublimetals website are ones i have printed = paper on the bottom of press with print facing upwards metal on top with print side facing down - a mediumish pressure (although them big ones were done at 7bar pressure) and never have an issue.

[kman21]

Hello,

I will try to reduce the time although im pretty sure i read that longer time means more durability for the print. I will check sublimetals although after Brexit buying from UK businesses is too expensive.
My press is 40x50 cm but it has no indicator for the pressure so im not sure if 7bar is a lot or not.

Thanks for your comment!

[whitprints]

7bar is very high pressure (around 100psi), on my stahls i generally user 6-7 on the pressure read out which is medium ish in my opinion. With import+vat etc etc i have very rarely noticed its much cheaper buying in from abroad myself.

[mark25810]

ALWAYS USE DRY PAPER. AS WET INK WONT HELP YOU. IT WONT BE YOUR FRIEND AT ALL.
i FORGOT TO MENTION THAT YOU DONT USE ANY CLOTH. AND PRESS IT UP SIDE DOWN. sO PAPER AT THE BOTTOM. LOW, VERY LOW PREASURE. !85C for 45sec as starting point.


PS. sory about the caps :rolleyes:

could possible check my post to see if you know my issue

[Dynamic Grafix]

My money would be on the paper being the issue.

What type/brand are you using?

[kman21]

Hi,

I have used two different types of paper (Sublisplash-DyeSub). Same result.
Actually i found posts describing this very same issue from 10 years ago so its pretty common.
It is know as "orange peel" or "watermarks". It appears usually on the cheaper aluminium sheets with thinner coating.
My understanding is that because of the thinner coating the paper is imprinted on it, leaving these marks.
I could not find a solution. I have used a variety of settings combinations (heat-time-pressure) with no luck.

[Dynamic Grafix]

An easy way to test if it's the paper or not is to put a little water on a microfiber towel and rub it over the areas with the marks. If they come off or lighten, it's the paper.

Some of the self branded xpres paper left these kinds of marks but was fixed by wiping over the area.

Might be worth a shot and help narrow things down a bit more.

[kman21]

Nope it wont come off