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[NEOFLEX DTG] just Setting Up for FIRST Time :)

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S

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Okay, so a weekend is probably not the best time to get started for the first time, but it's the only opportunity I've had since receiving my Neoflex.

I've got as far as inserting the cartridges - all pretty straightforward. I dealt with the Epson warning re: not genuine carts and then moved onto the Power Clean to get the flushish fluid out and the inks in.

All went well until I received the unexpected message on the printer's LCD:

SET PAPER LEVER

I checked the Epson manual and the paer lever is in the forward or locked position on my Neoflex.

I can't get beyond this point.

Any tips/advice appreciated.

John
 
S

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Discussion Starter · #3 ·
Re: Just Setting Up for FIRST Time :)

Excuse me for talking to myself :D but this is quite excitng! I've managed to print my very first shirt :D

Okay, so it was a simple one - just a white shirt but it came out good.

I'm still getting the SET PAPER LEVER message on the printer's LCD, it appears after a print when the printer finishes and parks at the far end of the bed.

I can clear it by pressing the Stand-By button which brings the printer to the front of the bed ready to print. I'm prompted to press the PAUSE button and after 10 seconds or so, the display changes to READY.

Needs further invetigations I think.

Right, gonna stop talking to myself now!
 
S

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Discussion Starter · #7 · (Edited)
Re: Just Setting Up for FIRST Time :)

I certainly will Jon. With the help of Peter, Justin & John at AA we're making good progress.

Lets not forget - these machines are not 'plug & play', there's an investment of time and trashed T-shirts to be expected. I'm confident it'll be worthwhile in the end.

It's the same learning curve as that required with our 3 head Brother embroidery machine. When we first got it, I didn't know what a hoop was!! Several years on and I'm still no expert BUT, I'm able to 'mix' it with other guys in the embroidery forums - and I give a little advice occasionally too :D

I've learned to do our own digitizing and I'm sure I make mistakes - take a look at some of our recent designs http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v111/datasafe/Embroidery/?start=all I'm not advertising or self promoting here, I simply wish to convey what is possible if you're prepared to take on the learning curve.

Most importantly though - you've gotta enjoy it.

John
 
S

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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
Re: Just Setting Up for FIRST Time :)

Jon Borno said:
Hey Stich-Up,
keep us updated and show some Pics please.

Thanks Jon
Click to expand...
Nothing to exciting here Jon but it's real progress for us :D

Here's a couple of logos I printed on black T's earlier this evening. The Red Bull shirt is jus coz I'm a fan of Red Bull F1 racing & NOT for sale.
 

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S

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Re: Just Setting Up for FIRST Time :)

Hello Michael

Thanks for the message. I spoke to so many people at FESPA I regret I can't remember everyone :)

Before becoming a dealer you really do need to own one of the printers. As I've said elsewhere, these are definately NOT plug & play.

Building the machine is very straightforward and you shouldn't encounter any issues. Operating the printer isn't difficult either but, like any new equipment, there's an investment of time required. E.g. when we first switched on, we were responding t all the messages that appear on the LCD display - we've since learned this is not required in most cases - you just learn :)

The maintenance of the printer is very easy really. It'll take you a while when you first do it but it soon becomes routine. We've never had any problems with nozzle checks - not even with the white inks.

Learning the software and creating templates is a bit of a hurdle ad we're still learning - I guess we will be for sometime to come. A better manual is being prepared and this will help.

Be prepared to trash quite a few shirts, however, we recently started washing our trashed shirts before curing - not ideal but it saves money.

Support from AA has been brilliant - by phone, by email & by Skype.

Hope that gives you a flavour of what's to come :)

Cheers

John
 
S

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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
Re: Just Setting Up for FIRST Time :)

Hi Jerid

Wasn't my idea but my partner Angie. Some shirts are clearly trashed while still printing. She just chucks them in a bowl of hot soapy water and ALL the ink is removed - white layer too, not atrace left after drying.

I don't think I've printed on them again - not sure. I don't know whether another pretreatment is required. I'll try this weekend.
 
Justin Walker

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Re: Just Setting Up for FIRST Time :)

A friend of mine who has a Kornit, keeps a washing machine in his shop. Every now and then, he throws a few shirts in there and washes the wet ink right now (for misprinted tees, etc)! He explained that most of the mid-dark colored shirts are left with almost no stain, but it doesn't always work for him no white tees. Of course, that is a different ink set, as well!
 
S

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Re: Just Setting Up for FIRST Time :)

The rhinestones distract ones eye from any faults in the printing :)

I'm still having issues with pooling of the white ink but getting there slowly.
 

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JeridHill

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Re: Just Setting Up for FIRST Time :)

Looks good.

As for pooling, you just need to keep reducing your white ink layer until the white is still bright but not pooled. I'm at 68% on my machine. I assume you can alter that.
 
S

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Discussion Starter · #17 ·
Re: Just Setting Up for FIRST Time :)

It'll be a while yet Jerid, but we're making progress.

Yes, I have a lot of control over the ink - maybe to much for a beginner!

The white ink was set to 200% by default - I don't think the RIP uses 'emasurements' in the same way as other software. I'm presently down to 120% on white. Colour defaults to 200% - I don't have issues with the colour.

The strange thing with the white is that it doesn't pool at the begining of the print but does towards the end.
 
J

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Re: Just Setting Up for FIRST Time :)

Hi John,
very nice Shirts. The one with rhinestones looks like there are some little LED lights. The shirt with the Red Bull logo has some white dots is this from the flashlight or is this white underbase. I see you got textile and solvent printer, is the solvent printer a complete printer or only a other printhead with other ink?
Thanks for answering.
 
S

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Re: Just Setting Up for FIRST Time :)

Hi Jon

Yes, the white dots are the product of the flash however, on close up of the print I am seeing some white curly fibres showing through. This is something I must learn to overcome. The fact that the curly fibres are white indicates they've taken the white ink but for some reason, not the colour.

These fibres seem to be slightly raiseed from the surface of the shirt - maybe I need to extend/alter my curing times presently press 90secs at 330deg, release, remove paper to allow vapours to escape then a further 90sec at 330deg. Should I remove the paper after the 1st 90secs? Perhaps this is lifting the fibres?

Yes, the sparkles were meant to look more like spakles rather than LEDS :) Nice effect though - maybe I'll get some conductive thread and stitch a few LEDS into the shirts.
 
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