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Precut paper printing for mugs
Hello all,
I noticed that Conde are supplying ready cut Dye Sub paper for printing mugs and decided to set up this system on my printer (Ricoh GX7000), it seems so obviously simple and saves alot of time, has anyone else done this?
Cheers
Jeremy -
26 Replies
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Hi Jeremy, Whats the system and how does it save time?. I print 3 up on an A4 (Ricoh 5050n) with cut lines and it takes seconds to cut with a scalpel knife. Whats the saving?
Cheers John
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I’m the same as John…..print 2 on an A4 sheet and cut with a guillotine.
I assume that pre cut is most expensive?
john
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Hello John and John,
I wouldn’t buy from Conde because they do not supply TruPix paper which is recommended by Sawgrass to use with their inks, but have packs of 100 guillotined to size by a friendly Print Co near to me.
The method, is to create custom paper sizes for your printer to suit the type of mug printing required ie , 230 x 90 for a wrap with borders top, bottom and sides, larger sizes for wrap with bleed etc, Then in Illustrator, which is my preferred software, create an art board in document setup which is 5mm smaller on each side than the paper size, now you have a setup that will automatically crop imported artwork, pics etc as anything overlapping the art board will not print.
The advantages I can see would be:
Easier artwork setup.
Smaller file sizes.
No more after print trimming.
Less paper and ink wastage with misprints.
Quicker assembly.Cheers
Jeremy -
Hi Jeremy,
Sorry I misunderstood 😳 , I thought you where talking about sheets that were kiss cut, like the business cards you can buy that are still on an A4 sheet.Yes it sounds like a good idea but I tend to print 3 up on A4, even if its a one off i’ll fill the page with stock mug prints. How does the Ricoh cope with the smaller paper size?
Cheers John
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Hi John,
Please don’t take offense, but it seems to me that you’re printing to suit your paper size and not to what is actually needed, the pre cut method would conserve ink when those one off mug prints arise, maybe I’ve become too ‘careful’, but due to ink costs, I wouldn’t want to print something that wasn’t needed on the day.
The trial runs on my 5050 have worked perfectly, when you think about it, it’s just slightly smaller than an envelope.
Jeremy
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Hi Jeremy,
Yes I do print to suit the paper, the extra prints do get used for repeat orders quite frequently but there are a few prints in the bottom of the drawer that might never get used.I do have an "Ideal Guillotine" so will try your suggestion in the future.
Cheers John
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If you need any help, please feel free to get in touch.
Cheers
JeremyPS, Which guillotine do you have?
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Hi Jeremy,
I have an old "Ideal" guillotine, electric powered blade but hand clamp. Cuts approx 700mm wide and goes through a ream of paper no problem – even with a blunt blade.Cheers John
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Hi Jeremy, When you have your paper cut to size do you change the printer to the envelope setting or do you just adjust the internal paper guides on the paper cassette.
Cheers John
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Hi John,
Once you have created your custom paper size in the Printer Preferences, you can push the paper tray sliders together to the appropriate shorter width.As you are using a 5050 with ICC profile and not the Driver, you will not be able to print from Illustrator, how this works in Corel, I am not to sure.
For the GX7000, users will have to download the latest Driver v2.9.2 from Sawgrasseurope.com which now includes a custom paper size option.
If you need info on creating custom paper sizes for the 5050, I would be happy to help.
Cheers
Jeremy -
Hi Jeremy, Thanks for that – i’m using 5050n with ICC profile so will have a look in the preferences. Can you set it up with 2 sizes – as in keep the A4 but add custom size.
Cheers john
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Hi John, Absolutely!…To see the choice of paper sizes that you are adding to, got to…
Printers and Faxes (changes cannot be made from an application)
Left click on GX5050
Printer Preferences
Page Settings
Click on paper size in selection box and scroll down, this is where your custom size will be included.To create a custom paper size, go to…
Printer Preferences
Printer Configuration
Select .. Custom paper sizes..
Type in the dimensions, give it a name and select place as portrait
OK
APPLY
OK
Go back to Page settings to check that your paper size is among those listed.I hope this helps.
Jeremy
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Hi Jeremy,
Thanks – i’ll have a try over the weekend and give it a go.Out of curiosity – What are the properties of sublimation paper and have you ever tried any other brands?
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Hi John,
Dye Sub papers have taken years to evolve to what we use now, the main characteristics being that the ink should dry upon the paper coating and not become absorbed into the paper itself, should have excellent release and anti cockling properties, can be used on a range of substrates and be ink compatible.I wouldn’t use anything but TruPix which has been developed and recommended by Sawgrass. I once ordered TruPix from a UK supplier and was sent an unbranded box of paper, when I phoned and asked them if it was TruPix they said ‘it was a Chinese equivalent’ so not only were they prepared to fob me off with an inferior paper but were willing to charge me TruPix prices.
Hope this helps
Jeremy -
Hi Jeremy
I haven’t used anything apart from Xpres own brand – which is probably a rebranded version of somebody else’s paper. Who actually manufactuers the Trupix brand I wonder!I remember years ago using a matt 1440 dpi inkjet paper that I bought from a paper merchant I used to deal with. I used it to print out photo’s from my 1st digi camera and the results were astounding. The matt coating seemed better than any gloss paper on the market – it wasn’t that expensive either.
I’m very new to sublimation and haven’t had time to experiment with various printables/papers etc . All i’ve done so far is print mugs so while i’m quiet I think i’ll be experimenting a bit more.
Cheers John
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Hi John,
TruPix paper is manufactured by Sawgrass, the same people that make SubliJet R ink for the Ricoh.
If you would like to try some I would be willing to send you a few sheets.Jeremy
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Hi Jeremy,
I’m OK for paper at the moment but might try it when my stock of xpres runs out – thanks for the offer though. When I first bought the printer I thought i’d stock up on the consumable and bought 3 boxes.Are you sure Sawgrass actually manufacture the paper – I find it strange that an ink manufacturer would run a paper mill. I would have thought they get a paper merchant/mill to make it to there spec then rebrand it.
Cheers John
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quote John Gregson:Hi Jeremy,
I’m OK for paper at the moment but might try it when my stock of xpres runs out – thanks for the offer though. When I first bought the printer I thought i’d stock up on the consumable and bought 3 boxes.Are you sure Sawgrass actually manufacture the paper – I find it strange that an ink manufacturer would run a paper mill. I would have thought they get a paper merchant/mill to make it to there spec then rebrand it.
Cheers John
I’ve never used it before but have been told that the xpres paper is shit hot, personally I’ve been buying mine direct from a paper merchant for the last 6 years, boxes of 1,000 but you need to purchase min 5 boxes, works out about 3/4p a4 sheet
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You’re absolutely right John, I doubt that Sawgrass actually owns a Paper Mill, I should have written ‘manufactured for’ and not ‘manufactured by’… my mistake.
I know that there are many Dye Sub papers available and I’m sure that most are happy with their particular brand, just that I was on the phone to Sawgrass tech dept today and they reiterated that the Sawgrass/TruePix paper is specified for their ink.
Cheers
Jeremy -
Hi Jeremy,
Trupix does have a good name – I was just thinking that there must be paper merchants that can make to a very similar spec – for half the price. 😀Hi Neil, Where do you get your Paper from, is it named or just classed as matt hi res paper.
Cheers john
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Cheers Neil
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Hey guys
I’m taking a slight interest in sublimation at the moment, attempting to look at all the ink and paper options that I can. It does sound like it can be quite a costly affair.
quote Neil Speirs:… I’ve been buying mine direct from a paper merchant for the last 6 years, boxes of 1,000 but you need to purchase min 5 boxes, works out about 3/4p a4 sheetNeil Can I ask who your paper supplier is? 😳
Many Thanks
Ezekiel
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Neil – I would be interested to know the supplier for your paper as well if you are in the mood for sharing 😀
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I use the paper from Xpres, its the best I have used, I use Lyson ink
and have consistent top quality from that and a 1290. havent even used my 1400 yet havent needed to I use that for transfers
Ink costs are negligible, 2 extra prints on a sheet of A4 uses very little ink, Id rather use the ink than waste the paper as it costs less or at least mine does. -
My preferred paper is Xpres but a decent paper mill paper could cut the cost in half. Just need to find one that has the same quality as Xpres.
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Thanks Andrew for your feedback and Steve for that little bit of wisdom I’ll have to bear that in mind – every little helps
Thanks again guys
Ezekiel
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