Full Version: Seeking advice for sublimation business
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#7]
27 Sep 2005
To: mike d (ENGRAVEDFX) [#6] 28 Sep 2005
For the impact dog tags I charge 24.95 and $21.95 for the smaller dog tag and the hearts. The price difference is due to the time of engraving. It just takes so long to get one done that I feel that is too low, but it is the going price. Most of my customers that have seen them elsewhere go "Wow."
On the MPX-50 I have altered the settings and use a few tricks to get a bright image. One of them is that I engrave below the max of 15mm/sec. It was recommended to use 8, but I found that with my unit there was only the faintest difference between that and 10. I use 10mm/sec. At Vegas I looked at all of the samples that Roland had on display, mine are better than their display samples.
Do not put your best work on display, put your average work on display. It will be good enough to entice the customer, but will generate a 'WOW' when you deliver a better image on their product.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#8]
27 Sep 2005
To: mike d (ENGRAVEDFX) [#5] 28 Sep 2005
I think you made the right decision, just by getting started. Many people agonize over that decision, to the point of never taking the step.
The learning curve can be pretty steep, but it sounds like you have the determination and background to climb the mountain.
One of the main draws to sublimation is the wide variety of items that can be printed.
To get overall experience, I would suggest trying many substrates, then narrow down to those which you enjoy producing and find profitable.
My main business is engraving, though sublimation has become a lucrative adjunct. Metal namebadges (plain and epoxy domed) and metal plates for award plaques have provided the most steady work.
I had always heard that "Color Sells" but the impact of those words really didn't hit home, until one day, when I walked into a customer's award shop, who I had given a 6" ceramic tile, imprinted with colorful art of a microbrewery's beer label.
My friend had inlayed the tile to a walnut plaque board and engraved a brass plate, which he placed below the tile. I wasn't aware of how he used the sample tile.
The shop is small, but loaded with very nice products, i.e., stately clocks, etched crystal, shadow boxes, etc.
On that day, I walked into his treasure trove, and amongst all the works of art, my eyes were immediately and involuntarily drawn to the walnut plaque with the tile inlay.
I thought to myself, "OK, now I know what the words 'Color Sells' mean." :-)
From: mike d (ENGRAVEDFX) [#9]
28 Sep 2005
To: ALL
thank you everyone for your replies ... you've been a great help!!! I have now started sublimating the dog tags and their turning out awesome!! ... my partners are going to owe me big time! :D
However, I've come accross a problem with the printer, the Epson C86. Everytime I print an image file whether it be 1 image or 5 in one file, the print will go through no problem when setting quality option to just text. Now when I set the quality option to text & image, or photo, or best photo. The initial print will go through but any prints after the printer errors out, and the only way to get it going again is to restart the pc. This occurs everytime on a consistent basis. I suspect that there's a setting somewhere that needs to be changed, I just can't find it anywhere. Anyone have any idea?? HELP!!!
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#10]
28 Sep 2005
To: mike d (ENGRAVEDFX) [#9] 29 Sep 2005
Been there had that happen. When Windows put out service pack 2 for XP it screwed up the existing drivers terribly. You need to go to the Epson.com website and download the latest driver for XP. Install it and it should take care of the problem.
[Isn't it strange to go into the printer box for the C86 and see 'Printing page 4 of 1?]
From: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#11]
29 Sep 2005
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#10] 29 Sep 2005
I'm getting that on my machine with win 98 SE. Doesn't matter if its the attached printer or the new network printer. Are you saying its specific to each driver? I assumed it had to do with spooling.
From: Funkmeister (FUNKY) [#12]
29 Sep 2005
To: mike d (ENGRAVEDFX) [#9] 29 Sep 2005
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#13]
29 Sep 2005
To: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#11] 29 Sep 2005
By the way, you can do a nozzle check in that locked up position.
From: mike d (ENGRAVEDFX) [#14]
29 Sep 2005
To: ALL
From: mike d (ENGRAVEDFX) [#15]
29 Sep 2005
To: Funkmeister (FUNKY) [#12] 29 Sep 2005
sure, no problem ... i'll post one up as soon as i can.
on that note, anyone have tips on how to sub shirts? i.e. heat press time, temperature, material etc ...
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#16]
29 Sep 2005
To: mike d (ENGRAVEDFX) [#15] 29 Sep 2005
The best tip I can offer, regarding printing to fabric, is to use a hi-release transfer paper.
It makes the difference between a dark gray and a solid black and an orangey red to a nice fire engine red. Very dramatic results.
You'll find them under a variety of names, such as, Jetcol, Jewel (same as Jetcol) or some have 95% in their names, such as Sub Trans 95% Plus.
I believe Textprint XP is aso a high release paper.
Hi-release tranfer paper can be problematic with some substrates, such as Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP), which is the basis of many Unisub products and sublimatable metal, but for fabrics, and in my experience, ceramic and glass tiles, hi-release transfer paper is "the bomb."
Reportedly, a good thing, according to my 15-year-old daughter. :-)
From: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#17]
29 Sep 2005
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#13] 29 Sep 2005
Sorry Harvey,
Think I jumped into the thread and confused things. You replied to me regarding clogged jets. I don't have a sublimation setup. I was inquiring further into your comment similar to "printing page 10 of 2". I get things like that on my windows 98 machine when doing normal printing from any program, to either printer. (USB, or network.)
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#18]
2 Oct 2005
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#13] 2 Oct 2005
Trouble in XP paradise.
My friend's computer is now upgraded to the newest service of XP and the print driver for the C86 is the latest version. STILL the one page between reboot problem.
After being on the phone with Microsoft and Epson multiple times, there is a semi solution, even though poor. [I will have to say this in English not computerese since I left my notes at the store.]
You have to find the System Services part of WinXP, [through the Control Panel, notes in store), go to the Services directory, which you cannot make a shortcut to put on the desktop. Find the 'Print Spooler' and click on it. You will have the opportunity to shut it, then activate it again. Then you can put out the next page.
I did not have time to check if it could just be shut and left that way so the printer would be driven directly.
Also need to find out if the printer driver can be disconnected from the spooler, that should also do it.