Why Do Sublimation Prints Look Burnt on Ceramic Cups? Troubleshooting Guide

Question:
I'm using an Epson L1800 for sublimation printing here in India. My sublimation ink is good, but whenever I print on a cup, the result looks burnt or scorched. Can you create an ICC profile for me, and what would be the cost?

Answer:

When sublimation transfers onto cups look burnt, overly dark, or off-color, it's often caused by a combination of heat press settings and the ICC profile, rather than the ink alone. Let's break this down:

1. Heat Press Settings

• Temperature: Ceramic mugs typically require around 180-200°C (356-392°F). If your press runs too hot, it can scorch the coating, giving a burnt look.

• Time: Most mugs need 150-180 seconds. Longer times can overcook the coating and ink.

• Pressure: Too much pressure can also damage the sublimation layer and cause color distortion. Aim for medium pressure.

Before considering a custom ICC profile, I recommend experimenting with these press settings to find the "sweet spot."

2. ICC Profiles for Sublimation

An ICC profile helps your printer interpret colors correctly so they match what you see on screen. However, making one for mugs is much more complex than for paper:

• You'd need a full-size (8x11) ceramic tile made from the same material and coating as your mugs.

• The tile must be pressed under the exact same temperature, time, and pressure as your mugs to ensure consistency.

• Even small differences in coatings or surfaces between tiles and mugs can lead to mismatched profiles.

This makes creating accurate mug-specific profiles very challenging. That's why most sublimators instead adjust color through Photoshop or similar design software, tweaking saturation, brightness, or specific color channels until the transfer looks correct.

3. Practical Tips

• Try reducing your press temperature by 10-15°C and testing again.

• Experiment with shorter press times in small increments.

• If blacks look brown or reds look dark, use software adjustments rather than relying only on profiles.

• Consider downloading generic sublimation ICC profiles provided by your ink manufacturer as a starting point.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. We're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. However, we do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Since demand is high, repairs are on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before we can process your printer once dropped off. Our service covers complete printer repairs or specific part replacements with clear instructions. Still, we recognize our rates may not be the most economical, so we encourage self-help via online research. A great place to start is our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search function (magnifying glass icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu) to look up specific topics. We've built a library of videos over the past nine years, and YouTube's search suggestions may also point you to other creators' helpful content.

Thank you again for reaching out and for your support of BCH Technologies. Your engagement helps us provide better resources for everyone in the printing community.