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I've been researching getting into dye sublimation, mostly for trophies since I have a strong connection with the school districts in my area and there are no trophy shops. Does anyone have an experience with dye sub? Pros? Cons?
-------------------- Vicki Powell Here's Your Sign 16048 Hwy 96 Ordway, CO 81063 VickiPowell@centurytel.net www.heresyoursign.biz Posts: 43 | From: Ordway, CO | Registered: Apr 2003
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I have been doing a little reearch too and have found that an Epson 1280 printer can be set up for sublimation. The neatist thing that I have seen is that you can print out a design and then heat press it into ceramic tile(s). Think what cool murals could be done.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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I do dye sublimation. There is a learning curve, what you see on the screen is NOT exactly what it will look like once it's printed & pressed. The inks are pricy, so you definately have to have a printer dedicated to dye sub ONLY. Swapping back & forth requires cleaning which wastes ink & the swapping can also cause early printer failure.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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I started a long time ago with an Epson 850. Wore out two. The inks have gotten better and better. I use a bulk system with a 1280 and it is great. Like Kissy said, the color ain't what I would call accurate. But I make money off it. An that's a good thing any day.
-------------------- this space for rent Posts: 130 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: Apr 1999
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Doing a ton of dye sublimation. We use the Epson 1280, and also an Epson 980 for Shirts, mugs, plaques and gift items. You ought to see dash plates from one of these! I also discovered there is a learning curve. We are getting very accurate color - to anyone who isn't, I'd suggest looking at the metal you use. There is a reason one brand costs about $1.71 per 12" x 24" sheet (aluminum), and the 'good stuff' is over $8.00 per sheet. Regardless of what you print on, the average cost per 8 1/2 x 11 print out runs between $1.10 and $3.00 - again depending on the brand of paper and ink you use. Now, there is another type of sublimation we're doing using a color laser printer (HP), but obviously using toners rather than inks. The difference is this: Using the toner system, you can sublimate onto GOLD aluminum, available from any trophy components supplier, and the cost per page is about 25 cents. You cannot sublimate on mugs or white aluminum or apparel with this system, but you can turn out some dynamite plaques, and trophy plates are a breeze. You also CANNOT do photo-quality sublimation (pictures), with this system, but you can do full color vectored stuff like clipart, text, etc. The reason is the color density is not high enough, so photos on the gold plate tend to look more like a tin-type than a photo. The toner system costs a bit more to get into, but if you do a lot of plaques - worth it. I'll post a link to my supplier as soon as I find it. John
-------------------- John Stagner Action Graphics Salem, MO agraphics02@earthlink.net Posts: 98 | From: Salem, Missouri | Registered: Aug 2003
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