Sincere thanks to Peter, Ken, Mark, Mal, Pete, Joe, Chuck, Tom and those who have looked and liked!
Mark - I have fond future memories of George Jetson!
Mal - I'm liking the new term UFOTIC!
Tom - Your granddaughter is onto something.
Pete - Here's the dye sublimation definition:
"Dye sublimation features the following two-part process:
- Print graphics onto special transfer paper using sublimation inks
- Use a heat press to transfer the ink-on-paper to the substrate"
Here's how I did it:
Discs:
I loaded an Epson 3760 Ecotank printer with Cosmos brand sublimation inks instead of inkjet ink
Trusted sublimation ink and sublimation paper supplier for Epson Printers, Epson EcoTank Printers, and Sawgrass printers, while offering high quality products, designs, and tutorials on how to build your own Sublimation Printer and more for your next sublimation printing project!
cosmos-ink.com
I created the artwork by hand in various real media, then digitally refined it in PhotoShop.
I then resized the images and printed them onto Crafting Besties brand dye sublimation papers.
Sublimation Paper Sizes : 8.5x11 8.5x14 11x17 13x19
craftingbesties.com
I used aluminum dye sublimation blanks (from Etsy) for the discs.
I taped the images face down onto the discs with heat proof tape.
Then used a Cricut Minipress to transfer the images, 380 degrees, 30 seconds, with light down-pressure; quickly peeled off the taped image, and revealed the permanent light fast image.
I domed the printed metal discs on a hardwood dapping block, then inlaid them into the lathe-turned/tung-oil finished hardwood.
Niles S-9000 stopper threaded into a Niles brass insert in the turned wood.
Mugs:
I used a Heat Press Nation brand (6-in-1) mug press for the cups - 360-380 degrees x 3 minutes.
I'm planning some little experiments that will likely find their way into pens (and other things).
Heat/dye sublimation is fun, simple, and versatile.
Warm regards to all - Bob