Sublimation Sawgrass SG400 Printer, Virtuoso Print Manager & HP3804 Heat Press

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===== Sublimation Sawgrass SG400 Printer, Virtuoso Print Manager & HP3804 Heat Press =====

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====Description====
Dye sublimation is a process where you print your artwork using special inks onto special paper. You then apply this to specially receptive products, e.g. garments or mug, using a heat press. At the correct temperature, the ink turns into a gas and fuses into the product, giving a long lasting, vibrant image.

====How to use====

How to use the Sawgrass SG400 printer and Virtoso software:
  * Login to the Hackspace computer.
  * Make sure the Sawgrass SG400 printer is turned on.
  * Open the image up you want to print (you can transfer the image you want using a USB).
  * Select print.
  * Change the printer to Sublimation Printer.
  * Select print.
  * This will then open Virtuoso Print Manager.
  * Make sure 'Mirror' is ticked under the 'Material' tab.
  * Put a piece of paper in the printer. I used Advantia Laser Printer Films (A4) paper. NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU PUT THE PAPER IN THE PRINTER WITH THE PLASTIC/SHINY SIDE FACING DOWN.
  * Select print.

How to use the HP3804 Heat Press:
  * Make sure the handle is lifted up.
  * Plug in with kettle lead.
  * Turn the heat press on.
  * The temperature will be dependant on which fabric you are printing on. I found it printed best between 180 - 200 degrees. You can manually change the temperature using the up and down arrows on the left-hand screen.
  * Lay the fabric on the press, with the side you want to press on facing up.
  * Lay the print plastic/shiny side down on the fabric.
  * Pull the handle down until it locks.
  * The amount of time you press for will also depend on which fabric you are printing on. I found it printed best for between 40 - 55 seconds.
  * Pull the handle up. Wait for the fabric to cool for a couple of minutes. Peel off the plastic/paper.
  * REMEMBER: TURN THE HEAT PRESS OFF WHEN FINISHED AND REPLACE BACK ON THE TOOLS & EQUIPMENT SHELF.

This is how my first press turned out! Image on the left is the print, image on the right is the print on fabric (calico):

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As you can see, the image is quite faded, however I rather like the effect!

====Hardware====
[[https://www.sawgrassink.com/printers/sg400|Sawgrass SG400 Printer]]\\
{{:equipment:virtuoso-user-guide-english.pdf|Printer user manual}}\\
[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFL7tMcWC_4|Video with guidelines on how to use the printer (skip to 1:55)]]

[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwDzW-yQARI|Video with guidelines on how to use the heat press]]

====Software====
[[https://www.sawgrassink.com/Products/Software/Virtuoso-Print-Manager|Sawgrass Virtuoso Print Manager]]