Ironbar

Sublimation Problem - Black Ink Trash / Spotting

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I've never had this problem before.  If you look at the attached pictures, the black ink seems to be spotting in different areas and I cannot figure out why.  Any idea why I am getting these black spots in various places on this transfer?  Here is what I did:

1) I thought it might be moisture so I made sure to lay the paper out on my press before and after the print to make sure it was dry.

2) I thought it might be gassing out so I made sure the press was nice and tight and I am taping it down properly.

3) I quadruple checked the graphic and the black spots do not appear in the artwork. 

4)  I also looked at the printed copy with a magnifying glass and I did not see them in the print either.

5) I checked the paper carefully.  Nothing on the paper to be concerned with.

Anyone have any suggestions?  I'm baffled.

Thank you.

 

 

20181125_223357_LI (2).jpg

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I'm sublimating to bracelets from Conde Systems.  They are Chomelux bracelets.  If there is a flaw, I can't see it with a magnifying glass.  They look perfect before the sublimation.  I even tried wiping them down with an alcohol swap and then dried them out and then blew them off with a can of air.  No luck.

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are these from a clean vector file or was it something that was done in photoshop?  I ask because in the past when doing some photoshop items I missed small areas using the eraser tool that I couldn't see until I printed them and then when I zoomed way way in found the almost clear bits in the image

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It's a clean vector file I created.  I just double-checked and there is nothing there.  Also, each version I press is different.  There is nothing consistent about where the spots appear. 

I keep going back to the moisture causing the issue.  I'm think I am going to try some different paper.

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Texprint-r paper?     If you use other papers the ink doesn’t dry as fast and if you print more than one page at a time will leave ink on the prior page doing like you show

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Yes.  Texptrint-r paper.  Only printing one page.  Allowing at least a few minutes to insure the ink is dry.

In the Virtuoso print manager I am choosing ChromaLuxe Products, Texprint-R paper, and High Quality.  I am using the Graphic Color mode.

I thought it might be putting down to much ink.  Black seems to be the only color doing this.

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Sounds right to me.   Does the same design do the same thing on another substrate?   Kind of running out of ideas here

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I have not tried it on another substrate.  I can try it on some generic panels to check.  I've used this substrate many times before and never had this problem.  Very odd.

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I like Dakota's idea same exact design on something else to see if it comes with the print or not. 

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Well I finally figured it out.  I believe I actually had two issues.  The spotting / trash I believe was actually moisture.  I normally leave my paper in the printer tray and I have never had this problem before.  I used some paper from the pack and I also placed some packing paper in the sandwich to absorb some of the moisture.  Came out almost perfect except a little ghosting.

I've never noticed the ghosting before but I believe it has always been there.  I've never done a straight black on white print so it was not evident.  Took me a bit of thinking to figure out what was causing it.  My press is one of the "auto release" types.  When it releases it does with a 'thud'.  By holding the handle firm when it released, the ghosting disappeared also.

So my margin is slim on this run but I learned a couple of valuable lessons. 

Thanks for all your suggestions and help!

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