[TShirtMugs]

I am new to sublimation. Just started a small business. I bought 4-in-1 sublimation heat transfer equipment for T-Shirts, Mugs, Plates and Caps, along with some sample sublimation papers. I also bought C88+ printer which came with 4 cartridges. I printed on the sublimation paper sample and tried to sublimate on the mug, nothing was sublimated. I tried printing on the reverse side of the paper assuming that I printed on wrong side, but didn't help. But when I used pre-printed sample (that came with the equipment with a color photo from the ), it sublimated very nicely. I have ordered brand new sublimation papers TruPix and tried, but was not successful. Please help !! Should I buy separate ink system for sublimation ? or anything else is needed to make it work. I appreciate your help. My settings are 320 degrees C for 40 secs sublimation time, as instructed from the equipment booklet.

 

[marcelolopez]

You need to use ink for sublimation. Pigment ink will not work.
Sublimation ink available are Artanium and Sublijet, both from Sawgrass. They are about $75 for each color.

 

[TShirtMugs]

Thanks for the information. So, the ink cartridges that come with Epson C88+ ( bought in Amazon.com) are not good for sublimation, I have to buy these inks separately. I appreciate if you guide me the best place to buy this ink.

 

[marcelolopez]

I bought my sub ink from Coastal Bussiness .
The ink that came with your printer will not work, it is pigment ink, you need sublimation ink.
I bought Artanium, which I believe is cheaper than Sublijet.
I works wonderfully.

 

[TShirtMugs]

Thank you so much for the help. Now I know why I am not able to print on the mugs, struggling for last 7 days !! Thanks a bunch. Also, I am seeing information about ICC profiles, but still didn't quite get it. As a beginner, do I need to buy ICC profiles also for printing on Mugs/T-shirts or they are not necessary ?

 

[marcelolopez]

They say you do need the ICC profile. I think yes, you need it. I hope some one else might correct me or add more to my post

 

[charles95405]

The correct ICC profile lets the correct color show on the finished item. When you buy sublimation ink cars...$75-$85 either sublijet or artainium the vendor should give you the profile. Sublijet is easier to set up as you merely run the CD and it does the rest for the printer you select.

Since you indicate you use 320C..you must be in Europe and an additional ink is available there..it is Rotech but since 2005 all three inks I have mentioned are owned by Sawgrass

And you are using too much heat... for sublimation on most things you would use 204C (400 F)...the time will depend on the material...50 sec or so for polyester...3-4 min for most mugs..but you should follow the guide lines from the vendor of the item

 

[TShirtMugs]

Thank you Charles. I mentioned wrong earlier. I use 320 F, i am in US.

 

[joeshaul]

Don't forget to abuse the 5% discount for being a forum member if you order from Coastal, look at:
http://www.t-shirtforums.com/exclusive-discounts-offers-our-preferred-vendors/
for more details. If you are planning on doing lots and lots of sublimating, you may wish to get the bulk ink system, which will save you money for the long haul. If you're just testing the market, then try the carts.

 

[Conde_David]

We provide our profiles free of charge to our clients. Many of the our profiles are made by us. There is more to this then a profile but it is an important element. I do strongly recommend a bulk ink system as the cartridges hold a very small amount of ink and are expensive per ml compared to bulk ink.