After a lot deliberation about what heat press i should get, i decided that the 3D press was right for me as can do more than a press a T-shirt and do costers.
Which is ironic as my first job is to do some costers for a trade show for my other business.
On my return from wales disassembled my cr-10 and cleared space for my new toy
Got to work on Tuesday after a week away to be greeted with big-box do love new toys.
now to unbox it so what’s in the box.
- 1 x set heat gloves
- 2 x 11oz mug wraps
- 1 x 15oz mug wrap
- Spare vacuum sheet
- Spare Tubing.
- Power Cable
- Manual.
All and unpacked and removed all plastics and packaging fired it straight up and through i would test out a coster fired up the tried to test vacuum it but just buzzed nothing happened.
I then realised i had to connect vacuum tube to nozzle now vacuums. fist test run didn’t sublimate to well as was not making a proper seal.
I have since watched a video and no know i have to make cuts around the outer edges of the paper to get it to make a good vacuum seal so that was my next issue solved.
In the video i watched it showed 4 costers being done at once 180c for 4 mins. so i tried that It did sublimate but colours are washed and not right.
I think this might have been as i was running 1 only might need less time so tonight i will be running the test again 80 seconds on the clock and different print settings.
Arg no joy now think its pressure issue with the machine will do some more testing on this tonight as i have read over the manual and want to check vacuum pump as was mention about removing water. as i printed 2 costers to a sheet second one i applied to a mug with 180c temp and 180 seconds now its worked colours are right but fuzzy so going to reduce the time as read this is caused by too much time to see if i can get my sublimation temperatures/times right.
Finally cracked It had some shit coasters that don’t sublimate well as just tried with some name badges 185c 4 mins can do 6 at a time no issue Colours came out well
I also tested a metal bottle opener worked well I know it’s not straight was 2 am in the morning
This is a great machine now that I have figured out my issue being cheap coasters. As with my sublimation journey, it’s been a bit of a learning curve.
Summery
This a nice solid build Machine with a wide range of uses for sublimation. It’s very user-friendly and easy to set up. Heats up to 180 c in around 5 mins or less. I am happy with my purchase
Pros
- Silicon moulds for range items ie phone cases mouse cover travel bottles, mugs.
- Compact uni
- Vacuumed seal
- Easy setup and use
Cons
- Not cheap
- Some noise when running
This is for a creator and can see it being a useful part of my side business. now i know its just the issue with cheap coasters. I have now found a reliable source of sublimation blanks should be plane sailing.
