Full Version: Color Name badges
From: Linda (LINDAG) [#1]
22 Mar 2006
To: ALL
Help! The type on my namebadges is coming out slightly blurry. This is happening with both black and color, reinforced figerglass and aluminum. It is very slight, however my customer did not like it and I have to redo some badges.
Could it be too much heat or pressure? Or possibly the amount of adhesive? Some seem more blurry then others.
Thank you!
From: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#2]
23 Mar 2006
To: Linda (LINDAG) [#1] 23 Mar 2006
From: Linda (LINDAG) [#3]
23 Mar 2006
To: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#2] 23 Mar 2006
I have done a number of badges successfully, but have not been doing them for very long. Also, I have had a number of badges turn out blurry in my opinion, without complaint from the customer. In fact some of the type will be sharp and some blurry on the same badges.
I am using temp of 400. The aluminum is set face down, light to med pressure for 75 seconds. The fiberglass is set face down, med pressure for 2 minutes.
From: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#4]
23 Mar 2006
To: Linda (LINDAG) [#3] 23 Mar 2006
From: Linda (LINDAG) [#5]
23 Mar 2006
To: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#4] 23 Mar 2006
From: UncleSteve [#6]
23 Mar 2006
To: Linda (LINDAG) [#5] 23 Mar 2006
Are you opening the press carefully and slowly? A slight shift in the badge or paper when you remove it can cause blurring while it is still that hot.
From: logojohn [#7]
23 Mar 2006
To: Linda (LINDAG) [#1] 23 Mar 2006
I was in a hurry once and just tried to lay it on the item and there was enough movement that it blurred.
.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#8]
23 Mar 2006
To: Linda (LINDAG) [#1] 23 Mar 2006
I agree with Pete. Too much dwell time. FRP is particularly prone to blurring.
Blurring can also be the result of too much heat. Unless you've checked the (actual) heat of your press with an infrared temp. gun, it may be emitting more than 400 degrees.
Try turning the heat down to 375 degrees and experiment with dwell times between 45 seconds and 1 minute.
Too little dwell time and your colors won't mature. This is especially true of the color black.
From: Linda (LINDAG) [#9]
23 Mar 2006
To: ALL
From: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#10]
23 Mar 2006
To: Linda (LINDAG) [#5] 23 Mar 2006
Linda,
if you are using Unisub or some other hard coated aluminum, around 50 to 60 seconds should be fine. Be sure that your press heat setting is accurate - temps over 400 can cause blurring particularly if your dwell time is too long.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#11]
23 Mar 2006
To: Linda (LINDAG) [#3] 23 Mar 2006
The press measured an exact temp with a digital bead thermometer but was 15* hot with an infra-red thermometer. That 15* made a big difference. My other press ran 25* too hot. Tremendous difference. I believe that a slightly low temp is far better than a slightly high temp.
Also force drying the transfer is important. With nothing in the press, close it for ten seconds. Open it and immediately place the transfer on the pad face up. Leave it there for 10-20 seconds to force dry the transfer. The coating on the paper is a vapor barrier, which traps the steam generated as well as the sub toner. Trapped steam will blur the image.
As someone else mentioned, having the transfer taped to the item is also important to prevent double imaging, which if slight will cause a blur also. Remove the transfer immediately after opening the press.
From: Linda (LINDAG) [#12]
23 Mar 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#11] 23 Mar 2006
Harvey,
Sounds like I'll need to experiment to find out what works best. I haven't been using my green pad so I'll try that too.
thanks for the tips!
From: Button (LASERCHICK) [#13]
23 Mar 2006
To: Linda (LINDAG) [#3] 23 Mar 2006
From: Linda (LINDAG) [#14]
23 Mar 2006
To: Button (LASERCHICK) [#13] 24 Mar 2006