Epson SC-F100

You must complete the online course before using the sublimation printer and mug press

Sublimeringsskrivare Epson SC-F100

Snabbfakta Epson SC-F100

Max paper size: A4

Bläckstråleskrivare som skriver ut med bläck som sublimerar vid knappt 200 grader celcius. Kan med värme överföras till diverse plaster såsom polyester, både i form av färg och pulverlack men också tyg eller solid plast.

What is sublimation and how does it work?

Sublimation means matter getting from solid state to a gas without passing through liquid, just like dry ice does, or water ice when heated under a vacuum. The sublimation transfer process is based on printed ink vapourizing under heat and becoming trapped in a material that becomes slightly porous at similar temperatures.

The ink starts to sublimate around 180°C and needs to stay above this temperature while diffusing through the outer layer of whatever you're transferring it to. This means the object you're sublimating to will have to be raised above this temperature. For thin objects, just pressing everything to 190°C might suffice but for thicker materials such as ceramic cups you might need to raise the temperature to around 205°C. If possible, thicker materials might also benefit from being heated before the sublimation print, i.e from the back side.

What materials are possible to use?

The best material is polyester but polycarbonate, polyurethane, acrylic, nylon and a few other plastics also work in theory. However, most plastics other than polyester, polycarbonate and polyurethane tend to deform or discolour at the temperatures needed for the ink. The glass transition temperature Tg can be a guide for most plastics behaviour in heat, but nylon and polypropylene don't follow that rule.

Polyester can be found in powdercoats, lots of fabrics, thread for sewing and embroidery, sequins, sublimation coating paint, mylar, some heat transfer vinyl and some boating "epoxy". Polycarbonate in some plastic cups and lunchboxes. Polyurethane is found in wood coatings, skateboard wheels, fake leather and some heat transfer vinyl.

Sublimation mugs and other metal or ceramic "sublimation blanks" are usually covered with a coat of polyester paint.

What materials are not possible to use?

Sublimation ink will not be trapped in natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, wool or wood, nor in metals, glass or ceramics.

What do I need to consider?

Time! 40 seconds on the short end. Longer times the thicker parts are. Up to five minutes for mugs.

Heat! Through the print might be fine for thin stuff, through the material for thicker things to ensure proper transfer

Heat! Things get hot, be careful!

Cooling! Careful not to move the print before it and the receiving material has had the chance to cool to below 180°C or you’ll get ghosting

Anslutning

Hittas automatiskt av Epsons skrivardrivrutin som också är installerad på relevanta datorer i Stora rummet.

Pris

Varje sida utskriven kostar 10 kr och betalas i Webbshoppen.