[alexchavel]

Hi everybody

We currently screen print textiles and also have a DTG machine.

We'd like to get into printing mugs.

From what I understand dye sub is great for white mugs, or black mugs with a white window.

We'd also like to print dark/black mugs with simple one color stuff.

I know there are pad presses, but seem a little pricey .

Since we will be buying a mug heat press for dye sub, here is my question:

Can we screen print plastisol transfers and then apply them to black mugs with our mug press?? Will plastisol and that technique work?
If so do we just cure them in our conveyor dryer??

 

[Smalzstein]

Plastisol transfer will not stick to ceramic. You will need a special ceramic ink. Then screen print it to a special laminate paper. Then you will need to get this paper wet, after that the design will peal of and you have to stick it to a mug (just like water transfers for plastic model airplains). Now it's tricky part. You will need a special dryer that will heat the mugs to 900 celsius for 8 hours. The ink will melt into the ceramic. And presto! You have and indestructible print

 

[TYGERON]

Don't know what your budget is like and what you might consider "pricey".

If you're going to do single color type stuff, you might check into a direct screen printing set up. A little more flexibility to do mugs, waterbottles as well as other materials.

Yep, they can be done with a flat screen

 

[alexchavel]

Thanks for the replies!
Tygeron, can you give me more info? We defo have a budget to get this going!
Is it an attachment for an standard press? Or whole other setup?
What kind of ink/dryer requires?

 

[royster13]

Where are you located?.....

There are lots of trade suppliers to buy printed mugs from....If you are talking about any kind of quantity, even 36+ it becomes hardly worthwhile to print your own by the time you add up the sum of the parts....

But there are lots of pad printers and/or cylindrical printers for sale on Craigslist....Look for a Printa 990....Overpriced in my mind, but if you hustle you can still make money on short runs....DollarTree/Dollar General have lots of stuff you can buy a dozen at a time to print....

 

[royster13]

Plastisol transfer will not stick to ceramic. You will need a special ceramic ink. Then screen print it to a special laminate paper. Then you will need to get this paper wet, after that the design will peal of and you have to stick it to a mug (just like water transfers for plastic model airplains). Now it's tricky part. You will need a special dryer that will heat the mugs to 900 celsius for 8 hours. The ink will melt into the ceramic. And presto! You have and indestructible print

While ceramic frit inks are certainly the best imprint method, some of the new 2 part epoxy inks are pretty darn good....They can be cured in a small conveyor oven...

 

[TYGERON]

Thanks for the replies!
Tygeron, can you give me more info? We defo have a budget to get this going!
Is it an attachment for an standard press? Or whole other setup?
What kind of ink/dryer requires?

Smaller stand alone all the way up to huge autos for pen size to 50 gallon drums. Air dry inks, diazo type heat cure.

Cool video

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moraDAQR6YY[/media]