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[jazzygirl]

Hi guys
I have been working so hard the past couple of days on these shirts its ridiculous! I
Im wondering if I should invest in a better press or if its something Im doing wrong.
Im doing white shirts (Gildan 2000), using JPSS on my Epson WF1100
my front image is coming out perfect every time. When I get ready to do the back of the shirts which has a name at the top and a number underneath the name is coming out faded? Its happening like on 90% of the time. The back has the same settings on printer (photo)
 The number comes out good. I only notice fading on 2 or 3 of the whole bunch. Not sure if fading is the right term or not but the name is not a good dark black image like the numbers are coming out.
I was wondering if it was because it was at the top of my platen? I even tried moving the shirts down to see if I would get a better outcome but no, still a faded looking name.
Yes, it’s a cheap press.. paid $200. if it is the press I would like to get another 15x15 but don’t want to spend over $500-$700
I want a nice even press EVERY TIME. Is this possible?
I look forward to your feedback.

[COCHISE]

Ok. It is most likely NOT the press.

I suspect it is the ink.  Show me/tell me what you are printing so I can see the COLORS being used.

Are you using stock Epson ink or an aftermarket type?? If you are using an aftermarket, who is the manufacturer and what is the product description.

You say the front of the shirt is always perfect but the name is not a good BLACK image....... and it only fails 2 or 3 times. Please work on exactly what you mean and take some pictures.......if possible. Failing only 2 or 3 times is going to be tough to troubleshoot.

ken

[jazzygirl]

I'm using the carts that came with printer.
I will try and take picture with my phone b4 my sister comes and pick up order.
The numbers come out good each time. It's the NAME that looks faded

[MXRacingDad]

Post us some pics jazzy. so we can see what it looks like.

[jazzygirl]

if you double click the picture you can see it up close

[MXRacingDad]

That just looks like the coating that Jpss leaves. It should come off in the first wash.

[MXRacingDad]

Sometimes when this is happening some of us cover the graphic with a teflon sheet and repress for about 5 seconds.

[jazzygirl]

But why would it happen at top and not bottom?
I mean up close it looks like there is not enough ink on shirt??
I was using parchment paper. My Teflon bras should be coming any day now

[COCHISE]

What does the imprint of the graphic look like on paper of the failed vs the successful prints after pressing??

That looks like the ink is not completely transferring.......... photos of the transfer sheets please.


ken

[MXRacingDad]

But why would it happen at top and not bottom?
I mean up close it looks like there is not enough ink on shirt??
I was using parchment paper. My Teflon bras should be coming any day now

It isn't a matter of the ink not being there, it is. This happens to me all the time. It is like a plastic coating that jpss puts on the graphic. I tis what makes the shadow that people don't like. It will wash off with the first wash however if you repress for a few seconds it will go away. Do not repress without covering the graphic though or you will get ink on your platen. I don't know why it just happens at the top or the edges could be cool spots on the platen. but if you cover with teflon sheet and repress it will go away. You can also repress with parchment paper if you have it. Just lay a sheet over one repress for 5 seconds and see what happens.

[MonkeyMeMe]

Jazzy  also make sure you used the same black,, when printing the name,,,,,,

I have done this before,,,,,

[jazzygirl]

Trash man ran this morning so I don't think I have any paper left over but I will look

[COCHISE]

What I was looking for was residual black ink still stuck on the transfer. A properly applied transfer will have a ghost outline of the image and near zero ink left behind as small dots.

Several things will cause this. Uneven pressure on the transfer by the press, uneven heating by the element, too little dwell time, and not enough heat.

I press JPSS paper at 40 seconds, with very heavy pressure at 400 degrees.. Make no mistake, all of that data reflects the conditions required by my P.O.S. Hix Mighty Max clam shell press.

Without seeing the paper after you imaged the shirt I can only offer speculation that the back half of the press is not as hot as the middle and front.

ken

[jazzygirl]

Thinking back Cochise.... I think so
I do remember some residue still on the paper so it must be the top of the press.
I'm going to do some test tonight with the different time and temp you have above.
JPSS instruction were 475 @ 30 (I think)

[COCHISE]

Yes the instructions do say 385 at 30. That is what is called the baseline values, someplace to start.

ken

[jazzygirl]

It might have been 375
I'm not at home, but will try a different temp

[deChez]

Jazzy  also make sure you used the same black,, when printing the name,,,,,,

I have done this before,,,,,

I think what MMM is getting at here is:

When I lay something out in Corel, the color defaults to CMYK. There is a noticable difference on the monitor between CMYK black, and RGB black....the CMYK being "lighter" (no looking true black). Is it possible that some of your black text is set for CMYK, while the rest of it is set for RGB?

[MonkeyMeMe]

yep  de chez,, you got it,,,,that is exactly where i was headed

[Twisted3]

One thing is to always check your colors to make sure that they all match each location. Black value is the same all the way to all black and the colors all match same values. "Second" this is the funny one. When you press the name on the back. Be sure to try to use the teflon pillow or sometime in between the back of the shirt and the front. Because the neck line on the shirt will cause some air pockets (due to the neckline) and you will not get full transfer. The collar sometimes make it tricky and if you do sublimation for that name on the back over that neck line collar there will be a shadowed ghost look for the pressing. Air flow through there will kill you on profit. Good luck. T3   

[gprockhill]

Having the same color 'formula' was a big piece of the puzzle in my learning curve. You can also use that cool little tool 'pixie' (we may have it listed in the free area ) to hover over your graphic and see what the colors used are exactly.