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feedback: Sublimation Printing
Thought you may all like to hear my experiences with the above form of printing.
For those of you who aren’t aware of the process it involves printing onto media then using heat transferring onto various substrates. During the transfer process the inks sublimate (turn into a gas). Special substrates have to me used i.e. coated coffee mugs, tiles, T-shirts and so on.
Over the past 3 years I have used Sawgrass Systems inks, which worked well, but have their own problems. When attending Primtwear and Promotion earlier this year, I found out about Listrawoods range of inks, manufacturted by Rotech. Well I’ve now tried them out and all I can say is BRILLIANT. Admittedly I’d also decided to upgrade to Epsons C80 (which has individual ink tanks) and is capable of higher print resolutions. But the inks are the main factor in this process.
If anyone has any questions over these inks etc. please feel free to ask, and I’ll try my best to answer. One point which I should mention is that due to using a higher temperature to transfer onto Coffee Mugs, Listawoods own heat tape is required.
I’ve attached a photo of one of the mousemats I’ve printed with these inks for everyone to see how good they can be. Remember this is onto rubber-backed fabric.
Sharon
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8 Replies
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Hi Lorraine,
No problem. just ask away. Spent the rest of the day, printing and pressing onto Metal Coasters. Sure makes car body work look good.
Only thing must make something to lift them off the heat press (transfer temp 180deg, for 1 min) makes for very hot metal – ouch my poor fingers. 😆
Sharon
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Sharon I’d like to know more about sublimation printing where would be a good place to start.
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Hi Martin,
I’d go to Listawood, they have vast knowledge of sublimation. Having used Sawgrass Inks for the past 3 years I’ve now moved over to Listawood’s Rotech inks. And so far they appear excellent. Black is more sharp, their Coffee Mugs are better too. Print definition is pin sharp to the extent you can even read the badge on the bonnet.
Listawood can be contacted at the following
Tel: 01485 529100
Web: http://www.listawoodtradesupplies.co.ukThey are at Sign UK next week, if you’re going have a word with them there.
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Thanks Sharon, I’ll enjoy checking out there site and I’ll have a chat with them next week at the show.
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Hi All,
Just to whet your appetites more for Sublimation I’ve posted a picture of one of the coasters I’ve done recently. This is printed onto Matt Aluminium and encased in a platic surround. Printed at 1440dpi using the Listawood inks.
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Sharon,
Do you have a Special Mug heat press to do this onto Mugs?
Gav
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Hi Gav,
Yes I use a Mug Pro heat press, but they can be done in a domestic oven (if it can reach 200deg C), though reject factor is higher.
I tried the oven method on Listawoods Bone China mugs and it worked well, but I think there was a lot of luck involved, since this was the first time I’d tried this.
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