place mats advive

[Traynor26]

All sorted now, i used the mouse mat template that i use, same size as the place mat

Used the heavy weight method and not had any warping, but what i have got is a mark coming through from the heat press, its my fault for having bought a cheap press a few years ago (lovecut!) but it has done me ok so far.

The mark is a set of circles right in the centre, have looked on the plate and can see them there :frown: oh well, time for a new press is suppose.

Going to try it tomorrow, but if i use an old mousemat as a 'buffer' would the heat transfer through onto the placemat?? (Will maybe up the Temp and increase the time??)

Sorry for going on,

Lee

[bms]

Don't think a mousemat will be a particularly good conductor of the heat. Do you have any silicon rubber material - about 2mm thick?

[Traynor26]

I dont Martin, do you sell these? I tried looking for something similar earlier and could only find 10mm from Coralgrapgh

[Traynor26]

Doh, just found yours at 1.6mm, will order it now............more P=P to Germany

[JMugs]

Raising an old thread but...
Had set this afternoon aside to try some unisub place mats. Now I print a range of things, many unisub, with no hassle. These place mats are driving me nuts. I am pres pressing for 20 secs to drive off moisture, then I have tried pressing at
Wide format printer
Trupix paper

204 degrees for 70 seconds, not bad but not brilliant, some variation in blocks of colour. Then another one washed out...hmm
204 degrees fro 80 seonds, not good at all.
190 degrees 70 seconds.. terrible.

Best way to describe what I am getting is a mottled finish which I have rightly or wrongly associated with moisture in the past.

Normally for me unisub is great.

Just me having one of those days or have others had problems with the actual printing of these?

Janners

[Andrew]

It's certainly a heat issue in that you aren't getting enough to the surface. Moisture won't be a problem and no need to pre-press (bit of an old wives tale scenario). Make sure you have firm pressure and then typically the times and temps you mention should be fine. We would do 200c for 60 seconds and firm pressure with great results. The pressure can be key as the larger the surface the item the harder it is to get even heat through.

It take it is an epson you are using by your initial temps mentioned. Is your press a good one as if it isn't great quality it could be an uphill battle.

[JMugs]

Hi Andrew
Press is my Pressmech hence a good press.
Interesting point is that I press a range of the larger unisub products with no problem. I shall continue my trials and crank up the pressure a bit.

Janneres

[Andrew]

Well press should certainly do the job. The tablemat will warp away from the platen surface due to the thermacoupling action with the surface expanding quicker than the base. Increased pressure is often needed. I know that it is easy to get a mottling effect which looks like moisture but this is just heat not getting evenly through the surface in the way that is needed. We often do runs of tablemats and can waste a couple at the start (and midway if they aren't concetrating) whilst we get the pressure correct. They should have a great print once gotten right though.

[jennywren]

On place mats I get exactly the colour I wanted, had not trouble with any side of that. The only trouble I ever had once I found the pressure, ect was no matter what I put on the place-mats they warped, when I did find one that did't warp I tried again but the second one was always warped. I have not done them since. I have used boxes of mug, weights everything. Where do you get you place-mats from. I would like to do them again but my warp outdid my good ones

[James990]

Must have a very warped mind!