This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ===== Sublimation Sawgrass SG400 Printer, Virtuoso Print Manager & HP3804 Heat Press ===== {{:equipment:printer.jpg?300x300|}} {{:equipment:press.jpg?300x300|}} {{:equipment:press1.jpg?300x300|}} ====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): {{:equipment:sublimation.jpg?400|}} As you can see, the image is quite faded, however I rather like the effect! Here is an example on a polyester high visibility jacket. This was baked for 105 seconds: {{:equipment:brisfurs_hivis.jpg?400|}} ====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]] equipment/sublimation_printer Last modified: 9 months agoby samp20