I don't use mug wraps but been doing sublimation for over 9 years and have yet to detect any odor or fumes when using three mug presses at one time

 

Yeah that's just it. I run a mug press, plate press, hat press and a couple of clam shell presses and have never had a problem. It just seems to be coming from doing sublimation with an oven. I know I am doing it right because the stuff comes out beautiful.

 

I absolutely get the stink when using the swing away press. I step back as far as I can when I open it because theres a real blast coming off it. It doesn't happen with the mug press. I wonder if the clamshell and other presses let the fumes dissipate out to the sides when opening while the swing away and the oven concentrate it more and then directs it more towards your face. I definitely try to avoid breathing it in. Have you noticed if more ink = more stink?

 

I'm wondering if it is because you are using an oven. You'd be confining the "smell" in an enclosed aread for a period of time. Then open the door and the "Smell" only then escapes.

I have a clam press and notice smells, mostly mild. But with a window open near the press, it seems to eliminate most of it. So I'm thinking that with a "Press", the smell comes out the side and disipates faster then the enclosed space. It's be nice to know I guess.

I'd do some more investigating before you keep exposing yourself to it. Just in case it is harmful.

 

could it be your mug wrap that you are using?
Do you smell any odors when the oven is on without any items in it?

I don't think I've ever detected sublimation odors before. The only odors I can smell is the polyester coating on the substrates. Different polyester coated substrates have differing degrees of odor.

I was told that the Sublimation gas is inert, but I may be wrong because I never double checked it.

 

I just did six mugs tonight and all 6 are messed up not a one come out right.

We do get the odor for sure after around 5 min in the over it starts.

I am getting the paper sticking to the mugs and the mugs getting a yellow burned look in places on every one.

I am going to but another oven something is wrong.

Some blacks come out super black and others come our brown.
Tonight mose everything that was black is brown.

I have messed up 15 mugs now and have only 5 that i can use out of 20.

I have a order to make 12 with a business logo that is just all black and i can not get it come out black and not have yellow burn marks.

 

I'm guessing the temp is way off in the oven. I'd check the temp with an oven thermometer.

 

when paper sticks to the mug it could be that it is wraped to tight and or temp is to high it sound like your oven may not run a steady temp.

 

I did 3 more today one at a time and they all worked except the mug handle on some has started to yellow?


Yes it must be the oven i got it at Sams club.
Semms like it dose not move the hot are very well.

Had a model shoot today at last.
I have tons of images from a guy and girl model for my website now.

 

I happen to be taking a break and saw this post. I have 6 mugs in the oven right now. No weird smells or fumes. I use a convection oven and cactus wraps, with mugs from Johnson Plastics.

 

What oven are you using that you can fit 6 into??
That is what i need.

 

Anyone having these issues with the halogen oven? I hope not thats on my list of things to do!

--
Eze

 

What's a halogen oven?

 

I don't really wanna link to any sites but over here they seem to be what people are using at the moment. Type it into google - I hoped I spelled it correctly... There circular in shape and fit thee or four cups if I'm correct. Some call them a mug oven or mug machine I've seen them called but I'm very sure the system looks similar to a JML halogen oven I saw on a TV show a while back real good for cooking roast so my wife keeps hinting me.

--
Eze

 

On Sunday I had to make 41 unisub magnets. As I was pressing them it wasn't long before I started to fill the shop with those terrible fumes. I know it isn't the paper because I tried a different paper. I know it isn't the blank because this time it wasn't mugs. I know it wasn't the oven because I was using the heat press. So it has to be the inks. As you breathe the air it gets into like your tonsils and throat and it feels like a sore throat the rest of the day.

Are all sublimation inks pretty much the same? I mean one brand wouldn't have something dangerous compared to another brand (I wouldn't think). I doubt they put lead in the ink? Anyone else have issues with ArTainium inks? Or other brands? Thanks.

 

I would guess any fumes/smoke in a closed space is not good for you regardless of the brand of ink. Our personal experience is that the Artainium ink we used to use caused the same amount of smoke/exhaust as our current ink. The difference is the Artainium ink did have a stronger foul ordor to it then our current ink.

 

I definately can smell the ArTainium ink outgassing when I sublimate Ts on my heatpress. I too have always wondered about just how toxic those fumes may be. Hopefully Sawgrass has had some testing done to determine that this process isn't creating a health risk for those of us who use these inks everyday.

 

Your mug will turn yellow if the mug is coming into direct contact with the heat press. After attaching the image to the mug, wrap the entire mug in plain paper.

 

mabe its best to wear a mask! till we get more info on this. there's definite an issue gassing when sublimation using press wrap or oven wraps. we need an health and safety statement on this subject thanks for bringing this to light. hope we folks get some answer here soon!

 

Take a look at MSDS sheet. We may just want to make sure we are in a well ventilated space. Looks like Sawgrass has kind of covered them selfs. Just be safe, vent the area more.

Section 11

This product is essentially unreactive at room temperature and under normal working conditions,
using good industrial hygiene practices.
ROUTE(S) OF ENTRY:
Inhalation: May be harmful if inhaled. Material may be irritating to
mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract.​

Skin Contact: May cause skin irritation.

Section 16

WARRANTY
To the best of our knowledge, the information contained herein is accurate. However,
Sawgrass Technologies, Inc. does not assume any liability whatsoever for the accuracy or
completeness of the information contained herein. Final determination of suitability of
any materials in the sole responsibility of the user. All materials may present unknown
hazards and should be used with caution. Although certain hazards are described herein,
we cannot guarantee that these are the only hazards which exist. Regulatory information
with regard to this substance in your country or in your region should be examined by​

your own responsibility.

 

thanks engraver86 for the info i guess as much sawgrass would save their butt here but i reckon that all companies that sell sublimation Ink to the public should make it known what condition apply to using sublimation be it heat press mug press, oven! is there any info from the USA Health and safety bodies as such?
i've always used a gas mask since day one as when i did my very first mug on a mug press i had a funny taste in my mouth after doing the first mug then when i did my second mug with a mask i was ok so folks please take care plenty vent

 

no problem Cryman,
"is there any info from the USA Health and safety bodies as such?"
You are correct OSHA handles that (See link below).
Also as a dealer or manufacture of some items you should have a copy the MSDS handy. You never know when a customer may say that the ink you used caused them to have a rash. And as an employer you should have a MSDS sheet for all chemicals you us in your work place. Just in case some one needs to be treated you know how, and just for our own information. So you dont put your fingers in your mouth or eye after handling some chemicals. I use a oxidation solution to blacken engraved plates and I always wash my hands after I use it. I don't know all of the laws or rules but I did get a copy of the MSDS off my suppliers web page. Found this page The MSDS FAQ: Regulations
I like the way autobody paint smells when it's sprayed, but I know it's not good for me.LOL
This is a big deal and we have to understand the chemicals that we come into contact with as we work and play.
Be safe, Vent well and if you need to use a mask.
I'm getting off that horse now
Marshall

 

I pressed license plates, cork backed coasters and mousepads today. I only noticed the smell and vapors/steam(?) rising off the rubber backed mousepads.

 

Phew, I am glad that others have the same issues and concerns. I don't want 10 years from now to look back and say "I should have worn a respirator". It is good to solve the problems now before it is too late. From my research it seems that some inks create more of issues than others. Is this true? Do the Gel inks that the Ricoh printers use cause the same fumes or less? Also one more thing: Since I first posted this thread, I have made huge improvements in ventilation. In fact I have done so much that I am not sure more can be done to ventilate the area than what I have already done. And I am still having problems with these fumes and the bad taste in mouth from them. I don't know, I might need to go to Home Depot and pick up respirators....

 

I wondered about Artainium vapors as well. Here is a link to various inks and their MSDS sheets:
Sawgrass Technologies - MSDS Information

 

In my sublimation business I have been recently been sublimating items with wraps in a small oven. I have the oven on a table in my shop near a window and I open the window to vent. When you walk into my shop you can smell the fumes. I also have ended up with a weird taste in my mouth and a bit of a sore throat. I had thought I was just coming down with a cold. Well the next day I felt great, I went to my shop and did more sublimation in the oven and ended up with the same sore throat and weird taste in my mouth.

What I want to know is sublimating using an oven safe for your health? I don't want to end up with cancer or some other issue because of this. I hope other people that do sublimation in their shops could advise me how they avoid this problem and what they do?

I use a Cuisinart oven and Cactus Wraps as well as UltraWraps. This oven was bought and solely used for sublimation. I have put a fan in the window and had it blowing outward with the same issue. Thanks!

Not to rehash, a thread a couple months old, BUT.. this is series enough ?
I am new to sublimation, and have 2 Ricoh 7000 printers with a Goe Knight Air/Auto swing press.
My 2,000 square foot store stinks Bad after 30 minutes of pressing jerseys, and Worse when using Chromoblast.
I have a taste in my mouth for 2 days after, and can smell it in my cloths when I get home.
I figure this is normal, but now I have some concerns
This Information should be made clear to anyone buying into the Inks and technology.
PS.
My Mugs have a burnt look after 60 seconds at 400F in a mug press.
2 outta 10 will come out nice.

 

I would think there is some common logic that comes into play as we are taking chemicals (ink) and heating them to a point that they vaporize into the fabric or other substrate. That can not happen without fumes of some sorts. Before we ventilated we noticed odors as well. What we discovered is the vapors were obviously rising and concentrating into the crawl space above. The odor in the crawl space was really bad. Once we did modest ventilation we have had no issues at all. With that said there is an obnixious smell for a few minutes regardless of ventilation when we press neoprene - just part of the business and goes away quickly.

 

I have found that when my black colors are turning to a brown color then I am over cooking them. I really notice this with ceramic tiles especially.

I have a convection oven that I bought from Target. I can put 6 mugs in there at a time. I start out putting them in upside down for 10 minutes and then rotate front to back and turn them for another 10 minutes. Very seldom do I have any with problems. I have also done 200 mugs in a weekend with no fumes. It was during the summer when I did have all of the windows open.