DSF

Has anyone come across this before? It was first showing at the edge of the images and I thought it was from the heat tape, but it is now showing mid image. It's not showing up on the paper prior to printing or even after, just on the mugs. I know it's not the mugs as I've tried 2 different types. It won't rub off either, a friend has suggested nozzle heads may be blocked or need cleaning so I will look at that although it is a new printer so hopefully not. I have attched thumbnails to this post (if I did it right)

Sorry for the poor quality images, these mugs are being done for personal use not for sale. Thanks in advance.

Sue

Ok, as no one has any suggestions I thought I'd post my findings in case anyone else has similar issues in future. I did a lot of sitting in front of youtube vids and forum searching and I think it may be down to Gassing, when the ink manages to blow from where it should be to another spot on the mug. Strange that it always seems to be red....I have altered my print area by 1cm so that the ink isn't too close to the edge of the paper, cleaned my print heads just in case, lowered my temp by 5 degrees to 185 for 170 seconds (might go down to 180 for 180 out of curiosity) and I was dunking my mugs in warm water then drying them to warm them before printing and I have stopped this and just make sure my mugs are at room temp in case moisture was an issue.

The result is; 2 mugs were perfect, no red streaks at all. The third had a teeny red smudge and the only difference was that the paper did not cover the mug from top to bottom, it was more like a strip across the middle of the mug so I think contact with the mug may have been an issue.

As a complete newbie I may have come to the wrong conclusion about gassing but the problem although not solved is much better.

Hi srobbo, it's good of you to post your results after no input from other members.

I've never had that problem but, just for the record, I attach my printed wrap the n pre-heat in the press for 4 minutes @ 110 degrees C. I then do the final pressing for 3 minutes @ 180 degrees C. Perfect.

I'm wondering if it was the pre-heating in water that affected the coating. If you haven't got a second mug press for pre-heating, try pre-heating you mugs in an oven before pressing. Some people just pre-heat the base of the mug as it acts as a heat-sink, but this never worked well for me, which is why I pre-heat the whole mug.

Thanks webtrekker, I never thought of preheating the mug with the wrap already on as I thought this would lead to over cooking. If I preheat in the oven would that be with or without the wrap on? I'm hoping to get another press from a friend who prints tshirts, he bought a bundle when he started up but has never used the press so that could be good for preheating.

I think the dunking in water may have been a factor but I have still had the odd streak on a mug since I stopped, very strange but only happening every now and then since I stopped the water bath to warm up.

I presumed nobody had any idea what the problem could be so tried not to take offence at no replies lol.

I appreciate your input

In all honesty, I've never tried pre-heating in an oven with the wrap already taped to the mug. If I were to try this, I'd probably use a siicone wrap over the printed wrap to apply some pressure while it was pre-heating.

Pre-heating in the press though works for me and the attached wrap is just beginning to sublimate at 110 degrees. As stated, I pre-heat for 4 minutes (even when my work-room is cold) at medium pressure. Then a second pressing at 180 degrees for 180 seconds produces a nice print. I let my mugs air-cool after removing the wrap. I have also tried cooling in lukewarm water but found no difference in the results.

It doesn't look like gassing. The red marks are to prominent and in specific areas and you have no red on you Celtic or Frozen designs. They look more like transfer from ink on the element possibly but on the Frozen design it would need to have gone through the paper which would be unusual. Would need more info really on what the used transfer looks like. An additional larger paper wrap might help around the mug to protect it. Give the element a Good wipe when it is warm as well.

Might not be many replies as using dodgy designs is not good.

Thanks for the replies, I tried webtrekkers warming and pressing method and the result was a resounding success! Better colours and no imperfections. It killed me to wait for 4 minutes at 110c and then press but I was chuffed with the results, I didn't even dunk at the end and the colours are better than they ever were.

A special thanks to the lovely webtrekker

srobbo71;117371 wrote:Thanks for the replies, I tried webtrekkers warming and pressing method and the result was a resounding success! Better colours and no imperfections. It killed me to wait for 4 minutes at 110c and then press but I was chuffed with the results, I didn't even dunk at the end and the colours are better than they ever were.

A special thanks to the lovely webtrekker

Ah, you've got me blushing now!

I'm really glad this has been a success for you. It's definitely easier to do with 2 mug presses on the go though. I might add that many people also have success with the standard method of pressing for 180/180 with no pre-warming. I suppose there are many variables and you just have to find something that works for you and gives consistent results.