HELP?!? Haha, dye sublimation press...

Brazen · Post by **Brazen** » Fri Dec 17, 2010 7:20 pm

Well...it works(as in applies even pressure)! I haven't affixed the silicone pads or brought it to temp yet but thought I'd share my moment of glee anyway, I'm running around the shop like the pacecar for the apocalypse. Cheers! :-)

http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 ... 35copy.jpg

http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 ... 40copy.jpg

falls · Post by **falls** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 2:42 pm

What is your plan with the heat blanket?
On the top and heat down through the metal or affixed to the underside of the top metal sheet? Careful not to get burnt when loading!

Brazen · Post by **Brazen** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 3:08 pm

falls wrote:What is your plan with the heat blanket?
On the top and heat down through the metal or affixed to the underside of the top metal sheet? Careful not to get burnt when loading!

from the top of the middle plate, silicone blanket, aluminum sheet, heat blanket, aluminum sheet, graphic, topsheet, aluminum sheet, just push upwards...it loads from the end. Now if I only had some PBT, Crown's natural makes graphics look like everything without my glasses on. Bleh.

skibum · Post by **skibum** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 11:16 pm

Thanks for the advice falls

knightsofnii · Post by **knightsofnii** » Wed Dec 29, 2010 12:19 pm

can anyone help me find the smallest least expensive printer that will get the job done for subbing lots of tops/bases? I need to be able to do this on my own this year.

chrismp · Post by **chrismp** » Wed Dec 29, 2010 2:41 pm

just about any of the older epson A3+ size printers should be able to be fitted with a dye sub ink set.
look around for used ones in your area on craigslist and try to see them in action before you buy.
the 1290 type usually goes for very little money and it's one of the few printers that can print long rolls with the default drivers.

PS: just found this baby: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/sys/2107206811.html maybe you can get it going again with a little printhead cleaning solution. thats what i did to my epson printer and its working like a charm now.

threeninethree · Post by **threeninethree** » Wed Dec 29, 2010 3:07 pm

Doug,

Id say try an Epson R1900 http://cgi.ebay.com/Epson-Stylus-Photo- ... 500wt_1156

you can use rolls with this printer, you will have to download a hack to get it to print longer than 44cm.
http://www.alice-dsl.net/hgd/udps.pdf documentation
http://dahmerphotography.blogspot.com/ download

You may also want to consider a continuous ink system also. http://www.inkrepublic.com/R1900.asp

chrismp · Post by **chrismp** » Wed Dec 29, 2010 3:37 pm

yep, definitely get a continuous ink system if you want to print multiple graphics in a batch.
as for dye sub inks and papers, just do a google search.
the 1900 works well too, but for me is out of the "cheap" range...but it helps to buy a newer printer with a less used printhead.

Richuk · Post by **Richuk** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 12:18 pm

The Epson 1400 is used by a lot of these guys http://www.dyesubforum.co.uk/vbforum/ - cheaper than the 1900. Not sure about subbing base material, the extra thickness might be an issue for the printer? Apparently this guy is really good about giving advice, maybe worth an e-mail? http://www.printerowners.co.uk/index.htm

hugocacola · Post by **hugocacola** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 2:13 am

Amazing Story, i feel like thats "my story...".

Regarding the Sublimation To print

I have a Epson 1520 wide format with a ink bull system for sublimation, the heads are perfect ( the black head need a bit clean, cleaning solution), and i am selling that for a good price. 200€+ shiping any interested contact me PM, or Hugocacola@gmail.com

knightsofnii · Post by **knightsofnii** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:24 pm

Glad i rechecked this!!! Was about to drop some serious coin on an epson pro 4800. So the R1900 really only needs an extra program loaded to print over 44 inch? Have you done this??. Also whats max thickness? Some say can handle 1.5mm posterboard i dont see why it couldnt handle some base material and do some direct printing and just find the right inks. Anyway a 4000-4800 is 1000 used hope the 1900 is way cheaper ill try it outtt

Brazen · Post by **Brazen** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 9:45 pm

Really? You guys don't know this? How do you think they're done...

good god, you guys...I am SO much better than anyone here. 4880/sawgrass.

I RULE YOU

http://unofficialnetworks.com/gnar/

hugocacola · Post by **hugocacola** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:12 am

I have a 4450 for my sublimation process, and works like a rolex.

i contact basler lack for direct print inks, because they have them, and this inks are water based and the Printing heads are SEIKO, same as epson, but they dont sell it due to "responsability and protection to your machine" they start boring me with stupid excuses to not buy the inks etc...so i contact the company who so the printers modifications to get more info, and they explain to me that its need to do some modifications like pre heating the foil to a certain temp and after its printed and they did not disclose the temp....

but i Print sublimation on top and base, and works great...

knightsofnii · Post by **knightsofnii** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 8:54 am

Brazen wrote:Really? You guys don't know this? How do you think they're done...

good god, you guys...I am SO much better than anyone here. 4880/sawgrass.

I RULE YOU

Whatcha mean? You got a better printer? All im askin is what people recommend. 4000 series printers seem to be what i need but i need TWO of them one for subbing one for direct... so its a lot of dinero to shell out. Has anyone taken a 1900 or 3000 series thru multiple multiple runs? I know most of us are doing one thing at a time

chrismp · Post by **chrismp** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:25 am

@knightsofnii: usually those bigger printers have a longer printhead/mechanical parts life than the consumer oriented models, but i don't know the exact page counts for Epson printers (the 4880 is good for 45.000 pages)
plus, you'll need a continuous ink system for the smaller printers (fortunately not that expensive).
i don't know if the 1900 is capable of feeding 1.5mm stock...my 2100/2200 is able to do that through the rear paper feed.
edit: just had a look at some reviews of the 1900 and it does have a rear paper feed and cd printing option...so in theory it should be able to print thick stock since the printhead can be set high enough. my printer does it without a problem, but i've heard of some models that won't print through the rear feed when the thickness is set for cd printing.

could you tell us more on your direct printing plans? do you have an ink supplier? what materials are you going to print on? any special techniques required?
would be great to get some more info on that topic in this forum!

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HELP?!? Haha, dye sublimation press...