Hi everyone,
I’m trying to sublimate onto glossy sublimation ceramic tiles and I’m struggling to get the colors as vibrant as they should be. My results are close, but still a bit dull compared to what I get with a heavier manual press.
I’m currently using a Loklik 2 automatic heat press, and here’s what I’ve tried so far:
• 190°C for 240 seconds – decent, but slightly faded
• 195–200°C – colors get dull/matte
• Longer time (270–300 sec) – also makes colors dull
• Higher pressure (up to 40 kg) – didn’t improve results
Does anyone have proven settings that work well for ceramic tiles with an automatic press (especially when the press doesn’t have a lot of heat mass)?
Should I increase temperature slightly, reduce time, preheat longer, or something else?
I haven’t personally sublimated onto ceramic tiles, but based on the parameters you tested, they seem a bit off. To achieve vibrant colors, the temperature should generally be in the 380°F–420°F range. Your settings (374°F and 392°F) were close, but the timing and pressure need some adjustments.
• Time: Break the press into 60-second increments. Longer times can cause the ink to evaporate, leaving dull results.
• Pressure: Your setting was too light. Increase from 88 lbs to about 150 lbs for better transfer.
A good starting point would be: • 395°F • 60 seconds • 150 lbs of pressure
After pressing, carefully lift a corner with a weeding tool to check if the ink has fully transferred. Avoid shifting the tile, but if the colors aren’t complete, rotate the tile 180° and press again until you’re satisfied. Be sure to record the exact settings you used so you’ll have a reliable reference for future projects.
Hope this helps! Please share some photos of your finished tile—we’d love to see how it turns out.
NOTE: Place a heavy weight cardstock underneath your ceramic tile for easy rotation and transport.
