Sublimation ink printing appears wire drawing, blurring, and offset?

Why does sublimation ink printing appear wire drawing, blurring, and offset? How to solve it? SUBLICOOL will show you.

Fault phenomenon

The edge of the text or pattern drags out “burrs”, the line is broken or the color is missing. And thin and long wire-like wire drawing appears at the junction of the color blocks.

Possible causes and solutions

1. Nozzle offset

Reason: The print nozzle is offset and the ink jet direction is not vertical.

Solution: Calibrate the nozzle position and confirm that the nozzle is not tilted.

2. Unstable negative pressure

Reason: The ink supply system leaks or the ink sac is aging.

Solution: Check whether the ink tube is leaking, replace the aging ink sac. Besides, adjust the negative pressure value to the manufacturer’s recommended range.

3. Warping edge

Reason: The heat transfer sublimation paper is warped or not flat, resulting in ink pulling.

Solution: Preheat the heating platform/flatten the paper with the suction platform.

Pattern blur/ghosting

Fault phenomenon

The lines are weak, the edges of the image are not sharp, the colors are mixed, the light and dark levels cannot be pulled apart. Possible causes and solutions

1. Insufficient transfer temperature or pressure

Reason: Short hot pressing time, insufficient temperature, and uneven pressure.

Solution: Adjust the parameters of the press (usually 190-220℃, 20-30 seconds).

2. Poor quality of sublimation paper

Reason: Low-quality sublimation paper has insufficient release rate and the ink do not completely transfer.

Solution: Replace with high-release sublimation paper. Besides, test different brands and select transfer media that matches the ink.

3. Wrong print resolution setting

Reason: DPI setting is too low (such as <600dpi)

Solution: Increase the print resolution to 600-1200dpi (adjust according to the fineness of the fabric); Besides, calibrate the nozzle step when using the bidirectional printing mode.

Pattern shift

Fault phenomenon

The pattern position is offset after transfer, asymmetric after cutting. And besides,  color boundaries do not match.

Possible causes and solutions

1. Fabric stretches or slides

Reason: Polyester fabric shrinks due to heat, or does not fix during pressing.

Solution: Use a clamp or high-temperature tape to fix the four corners of the fabric. Besides, perform pre-shrinkage treatment first (preheat at 130℃ for 10 seconds).

2. The sublimation paper and the fabric can not attach

Reason: Paper wrinkles, uneven static adsorption

Solution: Transfer as soon as possible after printing (to avoid paper deformation due to moisture). On the other hand, use anti-static spray to treat the sublimation paper.

3. Equipment calibration problem

Reason: dye sublimation fabric printer stepper motor error or loose belt of the press.

Solution: Perform printer bidirectional calibration (refer to the equipment manual). Besides, check the tension of the press conveyor belt and replace it if necessary.