WHICH PRINTING METHOD TO CHOOSE FOR MY CUSTOM ENAMELWARE?
When you search for custom enamelware online, there are a lot of offers, a lot of producers, each with their print methods and different qualities.
We will share you a bit of light so you understand more about everyone of them and don't waste your time and resources with low quality enamelware when you were looking for the best out there.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
We have started our business in early 2015.
We ordered our first batch of sublimation mugs to run our business. We already had everything needed to produce them – sublimation printer and sublimation mug press which was also used for printing ceramic mugs.
We were excited coming in custom enamelware market and getting first requests at etsy for custom mugs very soon.
Not so long after that we started to receive few bad reviews about quality that print fades and comes off.
Our goal from the very beginning was to produce highest quality custom printed enamelware, but we had zero knowledge.
We had to do some research and do our own testing.
TESTING
We quit our production for some time and started to test sublimation mugs ourselves.
First thing we had in mind.. we tried to scratch mug with a flat screwdriver and the print came off without a problem. Huh??
Now we understood what our customers told us about.
Next we placed mug in a bowl of water for few hours and noticed that sublimation coating with print comes off. We didn't even try to place mug on a campfire because we then knew it will melt off as printing on these mugs was done at about 200°C in mug press.
Sublimation coating have also started to turn yellow and print faded when placed in daylight for multiple days - that's because sublimation lacquer is not UV resistant.
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CONCLUSION ABOUT SUBLIMATION MUGS
We were not happy with our results at all, but weren't too surprised as well since low production costs.
We understood that sublimation mugs are made to have a fast turnaround time with low price per piece and not quality, but since we wanted the best possible result and only satisfied customers, we had to go a different route.
It was also also necessary that we can print on every place on enamelware, including bottom outside, handle, inside etc., which we couldn't do on sublimation mugs.
RESEARCH
We made a research on how traditional enamelware is made in early days and found that it has completely different steel as a base, it has a different quality enamel on top of that with multiple enamel coats.
The temperature when enamel is fused on the steel base is over 1100°C.
Prints are fired on them over 800°C. Compared to 200°C that sounded really serious.
OUR WAY TO GO
We sourced a way to be able to make custom printed enamelware and to have an option to do unique, one piece enamelware if customers needed.
We had to have special colors which are meant specifically for high, traditional quality enamelware.
Luckily there were technologies for that, but compared to our sublimation printing setup, it was a loot more pricey. We didn't had big personal funds and we never take any loans.
Whether we quit here now, or we go full in.
Somehow we started to receive more bulk order requests, and not long after were able to afford our printing setup.
TESTING AGAIN
We did our first personal tests and were really happy. It was not possible to scratch the prints off, since there was no coating or anything. The only way to 'delete' the print is actually to smash enamelware - like the old, traditional quality we were looking for but with modern, stylish and unique custom designs.
Since 2016 we haven't received a single review about prints coming off or fading.
2 METHODS WE DO CUSTOM PRINTS
PRINTING METHOD 1
Good choice if you want only 1 custom printed enamelware or want to have unique to every person.
Good for full color prints (including photos) on white enamelware.
PRINTING METHOD 2
Good choice if you run after color matched designs in 1-5 colors and want to order in bulk.
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For more information about each of the printing methods, placements, requirements etc. please visit our information about printing page.
OTHER PRINT METHODS IN THE MARKET
There are also a few other techniques which are used to make custom printed enamelware.
1. LASER ENGRAVED
For this method laser burns down smooth enamel coating which then has matte effect. This is good method if you're in a hurry because laser engraving is very common nowadays, although it's more easier to break enamel coating down due to engraving. Also with this method it is possible to have designs only in black color.
2. PAD PRINTING
Theres a soft pad used to apply prints on the enamelware.
For this method it's possible to print on every surface and curve. This is a great way if you look for really large bulk orders with high quality.
This involves a lot of automatic machines and huge kilns and only big manufacturers have them.
3. THE DIY WAY
Vinyl stickers
Most certainly some of your friends have a vinyl cutter/printer.
Sharpies
It's possible to source special sharpie markers which can be baked on the enamelware in simple kitchen oven. Good for small home projects or to entertain kids, but there's no big problem to scratch or wash designs off.
CONCLUSION
If you're in a hurry and want your custom enamelware as soon as possible, you can do it yourself at home with markers or vinyl stickers or you can go to closest print shop which can produce sublimation mug in about 30 minutes.
If you go for the best quality and sustainable custom printed enamelware in relatively small quantities (1 to a few thousand units), we invite you to take a closer look at our homepage.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
A LITTLE HINT FOR YOU
A great way to potentially see sublimation mug is the aluminum rim.
Also when using for some time, this is the place where the rust forms and a fact to remember for men with moustache – be careful, it will catch your hair.