An obvious, but sometimes overlooked tip is to
make sure your substrate is clean and damage free - check for
any nicks or cuts before each heat transfer. Sometimes the surface
of your substrate may have a protective coating - remember to
remove any coating before sublimating.
It's generally a good idea to add a bleed to your
images/artwork before printing. A bleed can be created by enlarging
the image background so that it is approximately 1/8" larger
then your substrate. Depending on your image type, it may also
be useful to employ a gradient fade when enlarging your image.
When preparing an image for large format printing
on the Epson 7800/9800, a ppi (Pixels Per Inch) of 150 to 300
ppi typically leads superior print quality. Reserve higher ppi
for end products that will be viewed close up. Lower end ppi can
be used for banners/flags that will be viewed from a distance.
Ideally your original image size should equal the
print size. Resizing a bitmap image in a graphics program like
Photoshop results in a loss of image quality since the graphics
program must add additional pixels to the image. On the other
hand, vector images are resolution independent and can be resized
without any loss of image quality. Unfortunately vector images
are not suitable for photo-realistic images.
When sublimating with Astex line of heat
transfer presses and Sawgrass
Sublijet Inks, it's the recommended machine temperature
is 400F. We offer heat
transfer temperature strips to verify and calibrate your
heat transfer machine. Actual temperature may vary depending
on the material type and thickness.
The following dwell times and temperatures may
vary depending on your heat press. It's best to experiment with
a sample piece before production.
Substrate
|
Temperature |
Dwell Time (Sublijet Inks) |
Comments |
| Plastic (Flame Resistant) |
400 F |
35 secs |
|
| Metal |
375 - 400 F |
30-55 secs |
Different brands of metal affect temperature
range. |
| Mouse Pads |
400 F |
40 secs |
|
| Ceramic Tiles |
350 - 400 F |
180-210 secs |
|
| Polyester (Signs, Banners, Plaques, etc) |
400 F |
25 secs |
|
Print
