Babygrow designs faded, cannot resolve!

[SC2022]

Hi All,

let me start by saying I’m using Ink Experts paper, correct ICC profiles I’ve tried their Fabric HR paper and the Versa paper. I’ve tried the correct heat press settings for the garment, and I’ve tried a little longer, a little hotter, etc. The blank is 100% polyester.

no matter what I do the design is faded / washed out. I’ve done ceramics with the same ink and they’re amazing.

I have an order to fulfil and I’m starting to panic, I will not send out a substandard print.

please help ��

[Mrteajunkie]

Pictures of the issue might help a little.

[SC2022]

I’ll send a photo later as I’m out but it’s literally just faded, washed out. Not vivid at all.

[SC2022]

Photo here

[Mrteajunkie]

Are you using anything under the baby grow?
I use Teflon pillows to ensure a good contact between the platten and fabric.

it looks to me like the seams are stopping the press making full contact with the baby grow.

[SC2022]

Hiya,

I thought that, so I tried it with a pillow underneath. Better, but still faded. I also placed it so that the poppers weren’t on the platen to reduce any gaps.

should I try pressing it first for longer to try and flatten it as much as possible and maybe try again with more pressure?

I’ve read that too much pressure can cause fading too so I’m very confused!

[webtrekker]

Hi All,

let me start by saying I’m using Ink Experts paper, correct ICC profiles I’ve tried their Fabric HR paper and the Versa paper. I’ve tried the correct heat press settings for the garment, and I’ve tried a little longer, a little hotter, etc. The blank is from Longforte 100% polyester.

no matter what I do the design is faded / washed out. I’ve done ceramics with the same ink and they’re amazing.

I have an order to fulfil and I’m starting to panic, I will not send out a substandard print.

please help 

You say you've had success with printing ceramics. Were these pressed with the same press as the one you use for the babygrow? If not, then have you checked the actual temperature of the press platen with an IR heatgun or temperature strips? It may be your press isn't reaching the temperature you think it is.

[pw66]

Have your ceramics caused a slight indent in the platen rubber?

Try buying a sheet of platen rubber and cutting it into several smaller pieces. Make one small enough to slide inside the baby grow so the seems don't get in the way of good contact.

Typically fabric need a slightly higher temperature but shorter press than ceramics - up to around 190 - 200c for anything up to a minute. The S:Race paper I use needs 200c at 40 secs.