smendlik 113 Posted July 31, 2014 I bought a used Knights mug press and finally decided to try it out. As you can see by the photos the result was not great. Does it look like too little pressure or is it the heating pad? I cooked it for 4 mins @ 400 degrees as per Conde's instructions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted July 31, 2014 I'd try longer - but then again i hate mug presses. first shot is typical of the heat sinking away from the bottom (because the bottom ceramic isn't heated - like the handle - but the second picture looks bad all over - more time for the heat to build up may help Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr300s 1,272 Posted July 31, 2014 What kind of paper are you using and are you printing on the correct side. If its image right or tex print it should be printed on the shiny side. Try 6 minutes and some more pressure... I am thinking you got the mugs from Conde so they should be fine? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smendlik 113 Posted July 31, 2014 The paper is the mug paper from Conde. I'll go longer and see if it improves. I'm most likely going to sell it as I have cactus wraps and got those right my first try! Plus then I can do shot glasses and larger steins. I'll give it a try tomorrow and report back. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
efimage 42 Posted July 31, 2014 I have the DC mug attachment for the Knight Combo press which is the same as the DK3 and I am also using Conde mug paper. I need to go 6 min @ 400 degrees anything less and I start to get sub par results Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smendlik 113 Posted July 31, 2014 I have the DC mug attachment for the Knight Combo press which is the same as the DK3 and I am also using Conde mug paper. I need to go 6 min @ 400 degrees anything less and I start to get sub par results Thank you, I'll try 6 mins tonight then. I'm feeling optimistic now!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
efimage 42 Posted July 31, 2014 Hopefully that works for you. I really like the Knight Mug Press but my production rate sucks. If everything is perfect the most I can output is 10 a hour and honestly I am really doing 9 a hour. Right know it is fine for my volume. when things pick up I will either have to add a second press or move to wraps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mopar691 281 Posted July 31, 2014 I do mugs in my 5 slot presses for 185 seconds. I tried wraps, IMO they take to long and are to cumbersome. Takes way to long to run lots of em. Load the mugs up side down. More heat the better is what I have found. I am right at the edge of scorching the paper, turning it a tad bit brown actually. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mopar691 281 Posted July 31, 2014 Also make sure to heat soak a blank mug or 2 to ensure even heating across the pads prior to starting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted July 31, 2014 10 wraps - 5 in and 5 out rotated every 15 minutes is 20 mugs an hr - works for me and not so many donations to the deer camps - but everyone has their favorite method. which press you using shaun? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mopar691 281 Posted July 31, 2014 I got 2 STA 5 station presses. running one about 40 a hour pretty easily. Running 2 about 60. Can do more but gets hard to keep up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mopar691 281 Posted July 31, 2014 Plus my gomers here would just sit and watch the oven if I let them use wraps. They are all idiots. Fired 2 within the last 3 weeks. Down to one. Anyone need a job??? lol 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smendlik 113 Posted July 31, 2014 I got 2 STA 5 station presses. running one about 40 a hour pretty easily. Running 2 about 60. Can do more but gets hard to keep up. Wow, you have a demand for that many mugs? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mopar691 281 Posted July 31, 2014 I have 1 customer that gets a few hundred at a shot. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smendlik 113 Posted August 1, 2014 I have 1 customer that gets a few hundred at a shot. How do you go about finding a customer like that, I'd like to get one!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smendlik 113 Posted August 1, 2014 6:00 was definitely better. Still some slight fading on one side but good enough that I'm comfortable enough to put it up for sale this weekend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted August 1, 2014 much better but still have that fading where the bottom wicks the heat away. unless that is a glare Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smendlik 113 Posted August 1, 2014 Nope, still a little fading. At least i know now that it works, the time/pressure just needs to be dialed in. I just wanted to confirm that it works properly before putting it up for sale. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr300s 1,272 Posted August 1, 2014 a lot better maybe a little more pressure, you could also make the image a touch smaller to get those hard edges on the press ... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites