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I've still kept my plotter, but the majority of my work is now centered around dye sublimation. The things you can sublimate to are pretty varied, everything from t-shirts and mugs, to award plaques, ceramic tiles and even toilet seats. I've invested in a wide format printer, dye sub inks, t-shirt, mug, and hat presses. I'm working on getting my web page up to par, and I'm doing weekend trade shows. I see a lot of possibilites for signage, but the main problem, like with most other inkjet technology, the sublimated inks fade fairly quickly outside. One of the products I get a high demand for are full color license plates. They're made from FR plastic with the sublimation coating and UV protection. I'm spraying them with Krylon UV clear coat, but I have no idea how much it will help. If there's anyone in Florida using Pelucid, maybe I could send some stuff and have them test it for me?
------------------ Kelli Cajigas aka Janda Dolphin deSigns & Banners “A satisfied customer will tell two friends, a dissatisfied customer will tell ten.”
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Kelli, I'm just trying out some dye sublimation stuff myself. I'm using a Epson 900 printer with the Sublijet inks. What type of lifespan are you getting with your dye sub stuff. It sure does some really nice glossy prints on the license plates, I thought they were supposed to be pretty fade resitant. I'm also doing some shirts using the SoftLink shirts. They seem to be holding up well so far but the most any of them have been washed is about ten times. I wonder if Frog Juice would help the plates? If you have any tips to share I would appreciate them...never thought about doing toilets seats though..LOL
------------------ Mark Perkins Performance Signs & Graphics Eunice, Louisiana "The heart of Cajun Country"
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Sublimation fades a lot in the sun. Frog Juice works well as a UV coating, but it won't last forever. I would guess, in Florida, you might get a few months more out of it.
------------------ Jerry Smith Graphics Now Mt.Clemens, Michigan
Posts: 77 | From: Harrison Twp, MI USA | Registered: Mar 1999
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Mark, I've only been doing it for a little over a month, myself. My son is "testing" one of the vanity plates on his car. It's an orange and red flamed design on a black background. The black came out a little on the brown side from the start. No noticeable fading on the flames yet, but my understanding is that it will last maybe 3 - 6 months and then the fading will be quite noticeable. As Jerry pointed out, the Frog Juice will probably only add a couple more months to it. I'd be happy if I could say they'd last a year outside, but it'll be at least a year before any of the stuff I'm testing will tell. sigh. Wish I could hurry up the process. I'm using SoftL'ink shirts for the most part. I've tried the Evapr8/Akwatek shirts which are the new 100% poly fiber that wicks moisture from the body(Nike and other athletic shirts are being made with this material) They are all that they claim (cooler in the heat, warm in cold weather) but my female customers don't like the light weight(they're on the sheer side) and prefer the SoftL'inks. Take a look at my web page and you can see the stuff I've been making (in case you have any questions). http://members.tripod.com/birmania/shop.htm
------------------ Kelli Cajigas aka Janda Dolphin deSigns & Banners “A satisfied customer will tell two friends, a dissatisfied customer will tell ten.”
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Hi, Kelli My main line of business involves producing sublimated signage, and supplies. If you would like to visit my website, go to www.e-signmaker.com, or e-mail me at tear643379@aol.com and I will try to help you Regards, Tom E
------------------ Tom E
Posts: 2 | From: Monument, CO USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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We have been sublimating since 1992. We started origianlly with the Seiko 4104, and the sublimation ribbon. We have gone through the various stages with Sawgrass, starting with the Stylus Pro and now up to the Epson Color 3000. We have had much difficulty with the Sublijet Inks. Everything from inconsistent colors to clogged ink jets. Our printer has been to the repair depot twice to replace print heads. It still has its place in our business, but I don't have a lot of faith in it. We have just recently contracted with a new sublimation ink company. They guarantee no particles in the ink, and much more vivid colors. I will report back to you after using it for a while. As far as T-shirts...we use plain old Epson ink jet ink. You can print on 50/50 0r 100% cotton. There is no more need to set colors. The results are vibrant, and much less expensive than a true sublimation t-shirt on specialty fabric.
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Danny, who is the other company providing ink for the Epson...I have the Stylus 900..no troubles yet but I haven't used up half of my first set of cartridges yet. I'm getting great prints on Uni-Sub treated products, but not that impressed with the colors and prints on shirts and mouspads. How do the Epson inks stand up to washing on the t-shirts? Do they have a soft hand like the dye sub prints?
------------------ Mark Perkins Performance Signs & Graphics Eunice, Louisiana "The heart of Cajun Country"
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