Mark,

I think I am in the right folder now...ha ha. Anyways, here it goes. I know we were talking about laser engravers and 14,000 ornaments that I needed to create. Other than the big cost difference between the laser machine and the inkjet - could you just share (generally speaking) which would be more productive ( less work) and cost effective. I was at a trade show in Atlantic City and was pretty impressed with sublimation and what you could create with a little imagination. I could not justify buying the machine until now - when this light just went on (in my head) - regarding these ornaments that a client is looking for. The ornaments do not have to be fancy...but I want them to look professional! Is this the less expensive road...I know the inks are not cheap. I have also heard horror stories about the ink getting clogged up without continued use. Is there a big learning curve to this? (I also have Corel Draw X3) I can't seem to remember the process ...but do you actually print in out on special paper and then heat apply it to your item? (I have a heat press).
Thanks for taking the time to read this ...I have no ideas how you keep up with this site....wow..nice job!

Patti, if you are looking primarily for a system to do full color transfer to a plastic of some sort ornament, I would look at OEM Laser Transfer.

Inexpensive to get into, printers are in the $300 range, uses the toner that it comes with, no jet clogging, no color match headaches, no need for coated substrate.....

I would think there has been some posts here about OEM Laser, if not though, a sister forum DSSI, reachable from the "links of interest" box in the upper right hand corner, has had many discussions about it.

Doug

Patti,
I agree with David L. If you are talking THAT many ornaments, outsource them....this is something that could be done for you by an Ad Specialty supplier.....

Carl,
You DID see Forest Gump didn't you? It was meant completely as a compliment.

I would have NEVER thought to use OEM transfer on wood....and now my mind is agog......with ideas....

Brilliant man......simply Brilliant.

I do and I will.

How long and at what temp do you press them? What do you sell them for?

With my Konica/Minolta and standard lacquered silver and gold engraving aluminum I use:

340*;
2 minutes;
High pressure;
Peel when a little warm, not hot to the touch not room temperature.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

Yes I do use a silicon pad. It is a necessity to allow even heating and pressure when transferring. It adds time to the pressing but eliminates those really nasty voids of color.

On Acrylic I also use an additional silicon sheet against the transfer to prevent the irregularities of the foam sheet from showing in the acrylic if the pressure is a bit too much or the time is a little too much. It is a cookie sheet. You can find some that are smooth and some with a grain. Use the smooth ones only or you will get the grain pattern in the acrylic.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

A Teflon sheet should work, as long as it is not woven then coated. That would give it a grain that will be transferred.

The cookie sheets are usually thicker also which helps prevent irregularities from the foam to get through.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

David,
When you say litho printed, do you have any idea who might do that?
I have an order for 1400 mouspads and was thinking of having someone else print my transfers rather than me using my Epson 3000.
Thank you for your help.
Hope you have a nice day!
Rolf
Oh, the other question would be, would I have to use sublimation mousepads?