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PointOfExpression

Need help with sublimated mugs

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11/15 oz. Ceramic Mugs

Instructions

Idle Temp. Press Temp. Pressure Time 230F 330F Firm 60 sec.



These instructions are perfect for one-at-a-time mug pressing. If you are pressing multiple mugs, or do not have success with the "pre-heating" directions above, please try the "Production Settings" to the right, or contact tech support at 1-800-562-7760!

li.gif Attach sublimation transfer paper with image printed in reverse to the mug with thermal tape.

li.gif Place mug in heat press on its side at the idle temperature of 230F, and close the element firmly around the mug. If the mug handle is touching the metal of the mug press, then it is too tight.

li.gif Press the green PLAY button to begin the mug pressing cycle.

li.gif Once done, remove the mug from the press and remove the transfer paper immediately. You may submerge in room temperature water or allow to cool in front of a fan to prevent the image from bleeding.

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The main thing is each mug/coating manufacturer is different, and the different combinations of ceramic compound and coating will affect the way heat transfers and dissipates, therefore the image quality.

 

Bottom line, if you have a mug you like, you'll have to experiment with your press to get the quality that you want. Every different mug brand I have tried, I had to change the settings from the suggested time/temp, and no two brands have the same time/temp/pressure.

 

Main areas of concern:

1: adequate press pressure

2: make sure your transfer and substrate are clean (sounds like common sense but very easy to overlook )

3: transfer is tight against substrate ( I've never had an issue using heat tape on mugs )

4: making sure your press temp is actually what it says on the dial (a cheap temp gun will tell you if it is or not.)

 

With the mugs I use, I can take them out of the press, and leave the transfer on till they cool to the touch. If you decide to hot-peel, you have to make sure that you peel it right off. The ink is still off-gassing and the mug coating is still able to accept the ink. if the transfer happens to touch the mug again in a different spot, you'll get a ghost image ( which is kind of what it looks like in your picture)

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Hello! I’m not sure if you can help me with this, I’m just needing help from someone who knows what they’re talking about. I’ve put about 200$ in worth of supplies so far and still nothing is working and it’s very frustrating.

 

I have an Epson Expression Home XP-446 printer

 

I ordered sublimation ink from eBay they said is compatible with the printer 

 

I have a mug heat press machine I got off of amazon.

 

And I have mugs from the dollar tree.

 

When I go to transfer the image, it hardly transfers. It halfway does and is very light. Like I thought it would need more time but it just doesn’t seem to transfer beyond that point. 

 

I put it on 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and I’ll do 200 sec, then another 200, and so on... and it’s just not working.

 

I’m wondering if I’m doing something wrong or if I have the wrong supplies etc? Could really use help here!!  

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I could be wrong, but I do not think dollar tree has sub mugs.

They need to be made a certain way (coating?) for the sub ink to transfer.

 

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1 hour ago, bikemike said:

I could be wrong, but I do not think dollar tree has sub mugs.

They need to be made a certain way (coating?) for the sub ink to transfer.

 

They dont. . . They have to be coated for sublimation.  <_<

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About the only thing that is ready to sublimate without special preparations is 100% white polyester fabric. You can also dye about any polyester fabric with a darker color like black on yellow  or such. Any other sublimated option such as mugs in your case or dog tags or other trinkets all need to be specially prepared for sublimation. There are kits out there that you can paint on to things like rocks and such but the best options are the factory prepared ones. 

US Cuter sells a lot of things that are sublimation ready. Here is a link to the mugs: https://www.uscutter.com/Blank-Mugs

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