Moreover, the 3D Press has inner removable vacuum unit to which you can put  photo plate or stone slab. If you press button VACUUM, small  compressor starts to suck the air from vacuum unit and the upper silicone membrane presses on the enire surface of the image fixed to plate during whole tome of the heating.

A characteristic feature of the 3D press is that it allows the printed image to be pressed evenly onto shaped objects - you can print the surface of a plate (uneven bottom), sublimation stone, double-sided polymer plate, puzzle, etc.

Max object dimensions (vacuum):         29 x 41 x 7 cm
Max object dimensions (only heating):  29 x 41 x 11 cm

A 3D press can be advantageously used instead of an oven, whether for printing ceramics of non-standard dimensions or fragile objects ( glass ), for which gradual radiant heating is safer.

  Press the HEATING button twice (lower and upper heating), wait until the press heats up to the set temperature, which is indicated by an acoustic signal
Warning: if you set the temperature to e.g. 180C, the press always shows approx. 10C more, AND IN ADDITION THE TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATES DURING PRINTING,
it's not a bug!


                
                    

After reaching the set temperature ( put on gloves - they are part of the delivery of the press ) :
open the front cover - unlock the frame with the silicone membrane - unfold it - insert the plate into the vacuum unit - fold down and secure the frame with the silicone membrane see pictures : :         
            

5    Press the VACUUM button, which will turn on the compressor, which will begin to suck air from under the plate. Using gloves, press the silicone membrane a little so that it is well pressed on the entire surface of the image.

6    Finally, press the TIMING button, which will start the countdown of the set time. When finished, the suction is turned off (the membrane is released) and you can remove the plate wearing gloves. The process is complete. If the print is OK, turn off the press with the POWER button.

WE RECOMMEND / TIPS :

* The sublimation paper for transfer to the plate needs to be cut around several times up to the corner bend in a place where the graphics do not interfere
( otherwise the sublimation paper will create folds during vacuum forming )
 

Specific silicon sleeves - vacuum units 

Silicone sleeves are an alternative to mechanical wraps for the 3D press and they replace the vacuum unit - the hose from the compressor is connected directly to the silicone sleeve.
The main advantage is that after the air has been sucked out, the sleeves fits better over the entire surface ( even on a not completely flat or oval surface ) on the printed object / sublimation paper, which is more difficult to ensure with mechanical wrap ( e.g. with a locally sunken surface ).

SILICONE 3D BAG FOR PLATES / HIP FLASKS / STONES

For easier printing (higher pressure), a special silicone bag is supplied, into which you insert the plate, close the bag and the tube from the compressor you connect to a bag ... i.e. instead of a vacuum unit you use a smaller and better sealed bag
                                                     
*  There are special plates ( shallow with gradual transitions) designed for 3D, see our eshop :

Plates for 3D

The plates are shallow and have gradual transitions.

MULTIPLE SHOT GLASS SLEEVE

Special multi sleeve for printing 7 shot glasses at once. Push the shot glasses down and when vacuuming, gently crumple the shot glasses in the silicone with a glove so that you don't accidentally get an unwanted fold during rapid vacuuming. The entire multi sleeve can be placed in 3D with the glass up and down ( tested )

                                         

In our opinion, a 3D press is ( currently! ) needed wherever you want to print :

* mugs very close to the handle or to print several mugs at once
* thin-walled real porcelain mugs or mugs with animal handle, both of which are prone to cracking
* glasses / glass tankards that are fragile to break
* plates, sublimation stones, Christmas decorations, which do not have to be 100% flat
* bent hip flasks
* new items that do not fit into the classic press (or there is no specific heating pad yet) such as:
- mug stein 1L wide
- soup / breakfast / dessert bowls
- Jumbo mug

* polymer puzzle for double-sided printing
* polymer Christmas decorations for double-sided printing
* polymer cutting board for double-sided printing
* polymer cups or tumblers
* some polywraps

* In general, where it is necessary to print a larger area than a classic press allows - e.g. full-surface printing of thermoses, thermo cans, etc. in shrink film