SubliJet and SubliJet XL Getting Started Guide for EPSON Stylus COLOR 3000 Rev 9.
Getting Started Guide SubliJet® Inks for EPSON Stylus® Color 3000 © Copyright 1999, Sawgrass Systems, Inc., Revision 9.0, January 2002. reserved. Printed in the United States of America. All rights SubliJet® is a registered trademark of Sawgrass Systems, Inc. Epson® and Stylus® are registered Trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. PowerDriver PRO™ and ColorSure™ are trademarks of Sawgrass Systems, Inc. Other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
IMPORTANT – READ CAREFULLY: This Process License Agreement (“PLA”) is a legal agreement between you and Sawgrass Systems, Inc. (“Sawgrass”). By installing the SubliJet ink in your printer, or otherwise using the Sawgrass SubliJet ink, you agree to be bound by the terms of this PLA. If you do not agree to the terms of this PLA, Sawgrass is unwilling to license the process of using the SubliJet ink to you.
Table of Contents INTRODUCTION 2 SETUP INSTRUCTIONS 3 Selecting Paper 3 Installing Your SubliJet Cartridges 3 USING COLOR MANAGEMENT 5 MAINTAINING YOUR PRINTER 6 Print Head Cleaning HEAT TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS 6 7 Tips for Polyester Fabric 8 Tips for Metal 8 Tips for Ceramic Tiles and Mugs 8 Tips for Hanes Soft L’Ink Shirts 8 Moisture and Humidity Problems 9 SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT 10 STORAGE 10 TROUBLESHOOTING 11 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 13
Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of SubliJet. With these specially formulated inks, you can print full color sublimation transfers using your computer and EPSON Stylus COLOR 3000 printer. The SubliJet sublimation ink cartridges are the latest advance from Sawgrass Systems, Inc., a leader in the development of digitally driven color transfer technologies and related products.
Setup Instructions Selecting Paper For information on selecting the appropriate paper to use with your SubliJet inks, please check our website at www.sublimation.com or call your authorized SubliJet reseller.
IMPORTANT: When installing your cartridges ensure each color is installed in the correct location. Please see the EPSON Stylus COLOR 3000 User’s Guide for detailed instructions on installing ink cartridges. A summary of the cartridge installation instructions follows. Ø To Install Your First Set of SubliJet Ink Cartridges 1. If you have not already done so, unload the Epson OEM ink from your printer. To unload the OEM ink, follow the instructions found in the procedure entitled To Unload OEM Ink. 2.
Using Color Management SubliJet digital printing systems are comprised of a few key elements to ensure high quality output each time you print with SubliJet. PowerDriver PRO color management software is one of those tools. PowerDriver PRO color management software is a professional grade color management program that provides SubliJet users with the necessary tools to ensure colors print right the first time. PowerDriver PRO software is available for all major Windows based operating systems.
Maintaining Your Printer Print Head Cleaning There are several ways to initiate a print head cleaning cycle on the Stylus COLOR 3000. For a complete discussion of print head cleaning, please see the section entitled Cleaning the Print Heads in the Maintenance and Transportation chapter of your EPSON Stylus COLOR 3000 User’s Guide. A short discussion of the recommended method of initiating print head cleaning follows.
Heat Transfer Instructions Because you can print on a variety of surfaces, you need to take all variables of the surface into account when selecting time, temperature and pressure. Some of the variables are: n thickness of surface n how fast the surface absorbs heat n n coatings used on the material to create a receptive surface for sublimation inks (ceramics, metals, etc.) accuracy of heat press (time, temperature, and pressure) The time, temperature and pressure listed below are only guidelines.
Tips for Polyester Fabric Ø Maintain appropriate heat press times. o Shortened pressing time will result in good surface color but the sublimation dyes will not completely penetrate the polyester fibers. This leaves the dyes more susceptible to wash out. o Longer pressing times will cause the dye molecules to penetrate deeper into the fiber creating a washed out look. For guidelines on transfer times see the section entitled Heat Transfer Instructions.
Moisture and Humidity Problems The addition of moisture to the sublimation process can cause disturbing effects. Under normal circumstances, the small amount of moisture that can accumulate in your paper is absorbed directly into the transfer substrate; however hard substrates like metal and ceramic are unable to absorb excess moisture.
Supplies & Equipment Contact your reseller to purchase sublimation supplies and equipment. For more information, see the Sublimation Products & Supplies list on our Web site at http://www.sublimation.com. Storage 10 • Care should be taken to prevent storing SubliJet below freezing temperatures (32°F, 0°C). Do not expose SubliJet to extreme heat (temperatures in excess of 104°F, 40°C). If SubliJet has been in storage, you should allow it to reach room temperature before using it.
Troubleshooting The troubleshooting tips found in this section relate mainly to problems that can be seen in transferred SubliJet images. If you are having problems related to the performance of your printer, please refer to the Troubleshooting guide found in the EPSON Stylus COLOR 3000 User’s Guide. Ø The colors in my transferred image are incorrect 1. The image may need color adjustment. Use PowerDriver PRO color matching software.
Ø Colors are light and splotchy 1. Ensure you print on the correct side of the paper. The print side is the bright white side of the paper. 2. Ensure you use a recommended paper. For more information, see the section entitled Selecting Paper. 3. Ensure you press the item with the proper time, temperature and pressure. For guidelines, see the section entitled Heat Transfer Information. 4. Verify your printer driver settings are correct. See your PowerDriver PRO Users Guide for additional information. 5.
Technical Support If you are having difficulties achieving good results from your SubliJet inks, you have several support options: 1. Telephone: You may contact your authorized SubliJet reseller during their normal hours of operation for assistance. A full listing of authorized Sublijet Resellers is available on our Web site at www.sublimation.com. In addition, you may also contact Sawgrass Technical Support at (843) 884-1575 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM Eastern Standard time. 2.
The Sawgrass Company A Division of Sawgrass Systems, Inc. 2233 Highway 17 North Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29466 fax: 843.849.3847 www.sublimation.
