Sublimation Printing
| Aliases | |
| Other References | |
| Official Maintainer | Paula O'Donnell |
Current Status
Working
Machine is working as expected.
Usage
This machine is generally available to use.
Induction process is:
- Watch these introduction videos.
- EXCELLENT OVERVIEW OF PRINTING A MUG.
Our press is a different design, but this gives all the info you need to get started. Be careful handling the hot mug when you remove it from the press. You can wait for it to cool down before taking off the paper. - Prime/Fill a printer ink cartridge.
This video shows how to prime/fill a completely empty cartridge. At the 5min mark it shows how to top up a cartridge. Some of this info may not be immediately useful, but it is all good for familiarising yourself with filling the ink cartridge with sublimation ink. - Refill/Top Up a printer ink cartridge.
This video is primarily about demonstrating a propriety method of refilling cartridges, but the first 2min30sec is excellent for showing the usual method. - Good info about printing onto a T-Shirt.
Good info about the difference printing onto polyester and cotton.
- Read the rest of this page.
- Seek clarification if needed, via Discord or in person.
- You are now prepared to use this machine.
Guidelines
Sublimation printing uses sublimation ink, printed via an inkjet printer onto sublimation paper, which is then applied under heat and pressure in a heat press to a suitable blank object.
Please watch the videos above.
We have an Epson printer that has been refurbished to use sublimation ink. In future, we hope to have a purpose designed sublimation printer. Currently, you will need your artwork on your own laptop, and connect it to the Epson printer. There is a link to the Epson drivers below if needed.
Always test print your design on standard copy paper first. This is to avoid wasting the sublimation paper, while checking that the printer is working well. If it isn't, you may need to perform a print head clean. The cartridges may also need refilling. Note that the current printer is leaving streaks through the print, so there is a limit to the quality of the image.
The Presses have all been donated. They are fitted with temperature control and a countdown timer.
temp_for_sublimation.pdf - This pdf is a useful guide for temperatures and times for printing.
Please make a reasonable donation to the Craftpunk Tin to help restock the supplies.
Recommended PPE
hot
Machine Specifications
| Name | W X D X H | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Epson Printer | 450mm x 342mm x 182mm | 5.9kg |
| Mug Press | 340mm x 210mm x 180mm | 11kg |
| Fabric Press | 500mm x 600mm x 630mm | 24kg |
| Plate Press | 80mm x 330mm x 530mm | 10kg |
NOTE - THE FABRIC PRESS IS HEAVY. TAKE CARE IF YOU NEED TO LIFT IT.
Documents
Manufacturer
Reseller
Not Applicable
Known Identical Models
Not Applicable
Known Issues
| Date | Description | Workaround | Proposed Remediation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/01/2020 | Epson Printer leaves streaks in print. | Run print head clean on standard print paper prior to printing on sublimation paper. | When budget allows, purchase a purpose-built sublimation printer. Sawgrass Printer. |
Modifications / Repair History
| Date | Modified By | Description | Remediation | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ??/??/2017 | Meka | The Epson printer was fitted with new ink cartridges, filled with sublimation ink. | Refurb successful! | Cost of replacement cartridges and ink. |
| 26/01/2020 | Paula | Cleaned Epson. Ink had dried in heads. New cartridges | Got printer going again, but still has streaks in print. | Cost of replacement cartridges. |
Tools
| Image | Category | Accessory Name & Notes | Location | Buy from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Printer | Epson InkJet Printer Refurbished to use sublimation ink. See the manual in the Documents section above for usage instructions | Located on the Sublimation Table. | Donated |
 | Press | Mug Press Used to print onto mugs. | Located on the Sublimation Table. | Donated |
 | Press | Fabric Press Used to print onto t-shirts and other fabric. | Located on the Sublimation Table. | Donated |
 | Press | Plate Press Used to print onto plates and other small, flat media. | Located on the Sublimation Table. | Donated |
Consumables & Running Costs
| Image | Category | Accessory Name & Notes | Location | Buy from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Media | Blank Mugs and Plates These blanks are available to be printed on $5.00 per mug. $10.00 per plate. | Stored in the cardboard boxes under the bench with the heat presses on it. | eBay - Australian based supplier. MUGS |
 | Ink | Sublimation Ink Refill the printer cartridges with ink as necessary. Needles and syringes to assist in refilling. Sublimation Ink MSDS MSDS | In the Sublimation box under the screenprinting table. | eBay - Australian based supplier. |
 | Paper | Sublimation Paper Please leave paper neatly packed and flat. Try and keep wrapped and away from moisture. $2.00 per sheet to cover paper and ink. | In the Sublimation box under the screenprinting table. | Brisbane based supplier. eBay - Australian based supplier. |
 | Tape | Kapton Tape Use to hold art to media in heat press. | In the Sublimation box under the screenprinting table. | eBay - Australian based supplier. |
Check out eBay for a range of sublimation blanks - keyrings, mouse pads, pillow cases, jigsaw puzzles, coasters and much much more!
Maintenance
| Interval | Task |
|---|---|
| Before Every Use | Test print artwork onto standard copy paper. If need be, run a print head cleaning cycle on the Epson printer. |
| After Every Use | Tidy all equipment away. Leave the equipment in the box tidy. |
| As Necessary | Refill ink cartridges with sublimation ink. |
RACI
This RACI is an important documentation process to let people know what ACTIONS can happen, and who needs to be Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed for each ACTION.
| Task / Action | Executive | Cause Leader Cause Team | Named Maintainer | Trainers | Cause | Membership | Implementer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modification and Repairs | - | AC | C | I | I | I | R |
| Induction changes | C | RACI | RC | I | I | I | R |
Risk Matrix and Mitigation
Risk assessment is important to ensure we are making tools available to members in a responsible fashion. Please make every effort to do a reasonable risk assessment. If there is a safety incident with the tool, please redo a risk assessment and add it to the table.
| Ref / ID | Pre-Mitigation | Mitigations / Warnings / Remedies | Post Mitigation | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risk | Risk Severity | Risk Likelyhood | Risk Level | Risk Severity | Risk Likelyhood | Risk Level | Acceptable to Proceed | ||
| 0001 | Burns | Undesirable | Possible | 8 | Watch listed videos. Use appropriate heat protection/gloves. | Acceptable | Improbable | 1 | |
| 0002 | Incorrect Manual Handling | Undesirable | Possible | 8 | Use Correct Lifting Techniques. | Acceptable | Improbable | 1 | |
| 0003 | Crush Injury | Undesirable | Possible | 8 | Wear steel caps and use correct manual handling techniques. | Acceptable | Improbable | 1 | |
Decision Register
This decision register is for general documentation when some decision is made regarding the tool. To change its location, mode of operation, to buy an accessory, to replace something, to change how it operates etc.
| Ref / ID | Decision Details | Impact | Proposed Date | Proposed By | Status | Approved By | Date | Resulting Actions and Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000 | Example decision | Provides an example | 08/08/20 | JH | Approved | JH | 08/08/20 | A line was put in the register |
- tools/craftpunk/sublimation_printing
- Last modified: 11 days ago
- by
hsbnewiki