is to be placed on and which type of finish they would like (Matte or Glossy) for this case. Once you receive the image
The Case Escape Training Manual The Case Making Process in Full Detail www.caseescape.com
Contact:
[email protected]
Table of Contents List of Equipment …………………………………. 2 How it Works Overview Graphic …………… 3 Step 1: Getting the Image ………………..…. 4 Step 2: Prepare Image for Printing …..…. 5 Step 3: Print Out Your Image …………..….. 6 Step 4: Cut and Tape Image to Case ..….. 7 Step 5: Heat Case in Heat Press ………..…. 9 Step 6: Let Cool, Package, Deliver ………. 12 Heating Times & Temperatures ……………. 13
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List of Equipment -‐ Case Escape Custom 3D Vacuum Sublimation Heat Press (110V)
! -‐ Ricoh 3110 Sublimation Inkjet Printer
! -‐ Sublijet High Quality Ink Cartridges
! -‐ Heating Tools (Heat-‐resistant Alloy)
! -‐ Blank Cases (Glossy or Matte Finish) -‐ Custom Packaging Available
! -‐ Sublimation Paper (100 Sheets/Pack)
! -‐ Thermal Tape + Dispenser
! -‐ Heat-‐resistant Grip Gloves (1 Set)
! -‐ Display Devices for Size Testing & Display
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How it Works Overview
It’s that easy.
! A detailed breakdown starting with Step 1 begins on Page 4.
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How to Make a Custom Phone Case Step 1: Getting the Image ! Have your customer Email (or Text Message) you the image they want to get printed onto their custom case. You will Need to have a computer with access to Adobe Photoshop and a reliable internet connection in order to retrieve the images from your customers via your email inbox.
! Ask them to place in the subject line of the email or text message, which type of phone or tablet this image is to be placed on and which type of finish they would like (Matte or Glossy) for this case.
! Once you receive the image into your email inbox, download it and save it to your desktop (we recommend saving the image in the format of “Device Type, Finish Type – Customer Name” for easy searching & saving).
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How to Make a Custom Phone Case Step 2: Prepare Image for Printing ! Drag the image from your Desktop into Photoshop (or right-‐click à open with Adobe Photoshop) and follow the instructions on this video:
! Case Escape’s Image Sizing & Photoshop Tutorial.
! Once you’ve sized and placed the image properly onto the correct printing template, show your customer the preview mockup and get approval for the design. Collect payment at this time.
! Visit our Extensive Video Tutorial Library at YouTube.com/CaseEscape for more video walk-‐throughs of how to prepare images for printing via Adobe Photoshop, how to fill & refill the Ink System, How to cut & tape images onto a case and much more.
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How to Make a Custom Phone Case Step 3: Print out your Image ! Once the image has been properly sized for the correct printing template, print it out on your Ricoh 3110 Inkjet printer which will have your Sublijet Cartridges installed. Be sure to use the specified Print Settings that Conde Systems sets you up with, which will make a significant difference in the print quality of your case. Take the below steps when ready to print.
! Case Escape’s Print Settings 1. Within Photoshop, when ready to print, hit CTRL + P and Click on “Print Settings.” -‐ Check the box for “Flip Horizontally,” Click Save 2. Under Color Handling, select “Photoshop Manages Colors” 3. Under Printer Profile, select “sg_SG3110DN_RGB_Sjr_v1.0.” This is the Conde installed Printer Profile Settings to optimize print quality for printing with sublimation inks. 4. Under Rendering Intent, select “Perceptual” 5. Print Conde Support Line: 1-‐800-‐826-‐6332 x Ext 2 Link to Download Conde ICC Printer Profile for Ricoh 3110 Link to Conde’s Support/Troubleshooting Page
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How to Make a Custom Phone Case Step 4: Cut and Tape Image to Blank Case ! Cut the image to size using a paper cutter. If the image you sized has white space leading toward the edges of the image, be sure to leave ample room on the sides to ensure there is enough paper to completely wrap around the back of your blank case.
! See this video for: Cutting and Taping Instructional Video
! Once the image is completely cut out, use one hand to hold it in place onto the blank case you’ll be using and prepare to start taping the image to the case using your Thermal Tape we provided. Make sure when aligning the image on the case that no important objects are covered by camera holes, button holes, etc. Each case will take 2-‐4 small pieces of tape to fully adhere.
! As shown in our demonstration video, place one piece of tape on both the right & left side of the case, adhering the image to the case. Make two small snips near the corners on both the top and bottom. Make sure to leave enough slack with the corners of the image to still completely cover the corners effectively. Fold down the rectangular section of paper that was created by making your two small snips in towards the center of your case and tape the sections into place. // Page 7
How to Make a Custom Phone Case Step 4 Continued: Cut and Tape Image to Blank Case
! Fold the corners inward, contouring to the shape of the corners of the case as best as possible. Then fold the small portion of excess paper up and over the back of the case, continuing to maintain maximum contact of the image onto the back of the case. Bend these folds into place (like wrapping a present), and if you prefer to tape them down, go ahead. If you want to save time, you can skip taping the corners down as long as you’re careful to ensure they’re folded into proper form during the step in which you engage the vacuum function on the heat press.
! See this video for: Cutting and Taping Instructional Video
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How to Make a Custom Phone Case Step 5: Heat Case in Heat Press ! Preparation:
! All tools you’ll need to use should be heated in your convection oven at 325 Degrees Fahrenheit for at least 30 minutes before first use to get them up to the consistent temperature we need to work with to quickly make a case. Important: After using tools each time, they must be placed back into the convection oven and not left in the sublimation machine; this keeps the tools at their consistent temperature, ensuring the highest quality printing results.
! Turn on the Heat Press a few minutes in advance of when you’ll need to use it to allow for it to heat up fully and set the temperature to 145 Degrees Celsius (remember that we set
the temperature 10 Degrees lower than our target temperature to allow for fluctuations). We recommend
turning the Heat Press on immediately upon your customer starting the process of sending you their image to allow for the 2-‐5min heating up period.
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How to Make a Custom Phone Case Step 5: Heat Case in Heat Press (Continued 1)
! Once your case is wrapped & taped with the proper image and ready to be heated, put on your heat resistant gloves and take out the correct heating tool from the convection oven. Place the tool down into the Heat Press and place the blank case onto the tool, ensuring that it fits properly & snugly onto the tool. Close & secure the top lid down into place. Press the Vacuum button to turn on the vacuum which will remove all air from the inside of the machine, creating the vacuum environment necessary to print on all surfaces of the case. Place pressure down onto the edge of the plates momentarily to secure the vacuum seal.
! Start the timer on the Heat Press (3min @ 155 Degrees C. Refer to the graphic on page 13 with Heating Times & Temperatures for each case).
! Once the case has heated the full amount of time as specified on the Time vs Temperature scale, the Vacuum Seal will automatically disengage. Alternatively, you can press the Vacuum button to manually turn off the vacuum seal and allow air back into the Heat Press. Lift both top lids up, pull the tool and case out of the Heat Press, place the finished case (still wrapped with the image) down onto the table and place the tool directly back into your convection oven. // Page 10
How to Make a Custom Phone Case Step 5: Heat Case in Heat Press (Continued 2) ! While keeping your heat resistant gloves on, proceed to peel away the paper image and any remaining excess tape from the finished case. Note that the case will still be hot to the touch and is relatively moldable at high temperatures, so be careful not to burn yourself or mold the case improperly.
! Once the paper image has been removed from the case, you’ll see that the image has fully transferred into the case. If your customer is nearby, we recommend showing them the unwrapping process as this usually garners a “wow” moment that’ll make for a memorable experience.
! VERY IMPORTANT: Once you finish the heating cycle for the case, if you are not preparing to make another case right away, you must press the heating button once to turn off the heating function on the Heat Press. This will allow the Heat Press to cool down and not stay heating unnecessarily for prolonged periods of time. Doing this consistently will significantly help extend the life of the Heat Press and all internal working components.
! This is proper preventative maintenance. // Page 11
How to Make a Custom Phone Case Step 6: Let Cool, Package, and Deliver !
For all phone and tablet devices, once you’ve removed the sublimation paper, let them cool on the table for about 30-‐60 seconds. The case will naturally cool to the correct size for each device.
!
Once the case been cooled for around 30-‐60 seconds, test them for size with the Display Phones you’ve been provided. At this point in time, the cases are still fairly moldable, so you can make minor fitting adjustments by carefully putting pressure on the corners and sides of the cases to make slight adjustments as needed.
!
Package up your case, double check that you’ve collected payment, and deliver it to your customer.
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How to Make a Custom Phone Case Heating Times & Temperatures
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