DSF

Hi Guys

I have just ordered some metal from Subli Metals, However as I already had some here I would get ahead of the game by perfecting the times and temperature to get that perfect print on mirror stock (its been a couple of years!!!!!).

The Subli Metal says 170-185 degrees C for 40-60 seconds at light/medium presssure with the metal on top of the dye sub paper (their typo not mine ). This did not produce good results and after a bit of a play have finally settled on 160 degrees for 35 seconds. Generally I have always found that the supplier guidelines are pretty close so am obviously a tad surprised that this is so different. So, just out of curiosity what are you pressing at?

This was printed using Sawgrass Ink (through a Ricoh) and Xpress Budget paper. Metal was mirror gold 0.5mm

I know when I pressed some of their stuff before, I did the metal face down on paper (so pressing through the metal basically). I can't remember exactly what time and temp I did, but I did follow their instructions at the time, and the stuff turned out great. At a guess, I'd say I probably did 180 for 50 seconds, as I usually start half way through the manufacturers guide, and then go from there. Usually I take note of the times/temps that work for me, but for some reason I don't have the Sublimetal stuff noted down!

for me best results on metal are 165-170C for 70sec. This is with VERY light pressure. almost next to nothing. This way i don't have this water effect.

Interesting, I always press any metal larger than a phone cover with the metal underneath, print on top, then 2 sheets of chip shop paper. This way the water vapor escapes up into the chip shop paper. Having the metal on top and print underneath has never worked for me.
Odd world isn't it!

Janners

Even odder...

200C, 50 seconds, metal face down on paper, light pressure, works for sublimetals bookmarks. Thankfully this works well and makes handling the items much easier as the paper/bookmarks sandwich does not have to be flipped. I also peel off the blanks as soon as the press is clear.

We pre press larger metal with plain paper under and on top for 10-20 secs, to get the moisture out before pressing

The moisture that comes out of the alu 600 by 400 panels is amazing, for those I use a fabric sheet, which gets dried every couple of panels.

Anyone use the Endura fabric from Xpres? Supposed to stop chipping. I've used it and whilst it does absorb the moisture I found it can't be re-used because of ghosting so not very cheap!

JMugs;96302 wrote:The moisture that comes out of the alu 600 by 400 panels is amazing, for those I use a fabric sheet, which gets dried every couple of panels.

I've never noticed, but I've only ever pressed small metal items. I wouldn't have thought metal held moisture! Is it that the moisture is on the surface, and not actually 'in' the metal?

Hi Justin
I use it and re-use it, never had a problem. There is ghosting on the fabric but I have not had it transfer back. I lay down the metal, then print, then fabric, 2 sheets of chip paper and then cook for 300 sec's at 180. I change the paper every single print as the moisture can be felt in it.

Sponger .... not sure. I have noticed with some other metal items that there is a lot of moisture, now my logic tells me it can't be in the metal, so it must be the coating.

Janners