Sublimation printing is becoming more and more popular. It is a form of digital printing that uses a specialized paper. There are many pros and cons of sublimation printing, but overall it is clear to see why it&#;s gaining so much traction. So, what is sublimation printing?
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Sublimation is a chemical process. In simple(r) terms, it is where a solid turns into a gas, immediately, without passing through the liquid stage in between. When questioning what is sublimation printing, it helps to realize that it refers to the dye itself. We also call this dye-sublimation, as it is the dye that changes state.
So what is the opposite of sublimation? Well, it&#;s called deposition, although is sometimes known as desublimation. A deposition is when something transitions from gas to solid, not to be confused with condensation where it transitions to liquid form. The best example of deposition would be the formation of frost; air transitioning directly to a solid form and bypassing water. Another would be soot in chimneys.
So, what is sublimation printing actually all about then? We&#;re here to explain the actual nitty-gritty details, the how it makes a thing colorful, the process.
Firstly, your design is printed onto a specialist transfer paper. It is printed as a mirror image, using specialist dye-sub inks. These are water-based inks that have less of an environmental impact than harsher chemical inks. After that, the transfer is lined up with the fabric, and a combination of heat and pressure are applied. This causes the inks to transition from their current solid form, directly into a gas.
The inks then penetrate into the fibers of the material and are permanently bonded to the fibers. The end result is a high-definition print with an extremely intricate level of detail.
Okay, so we&#;re aware that there are a lot of questions that we have already answered; what is sublimation printing? How is it done? What does it mean? So far there have been very few downsides. There is, however, a catch. Sublimation on cotton just doesn&#;t particularly work. Or silk, or most natural fabrics. It&#;s ideal for t-shirts, great for hoodies, ideal for socks, providing they have a high polyester content.
As a result, if you&#;re a 100% natural cotton aficionado, then sublimation printing might not be for you. If you&#;re happy with a poly-blend material &#; we recommend around 85% poly &#; then this really is the future of fabric printing.
Another benefit of this type of printing is that you&#;re not limited to fabrics. Sublimation printing is great for hard media too: think mugs, pens, clocks, Christmas ornaments, tins, the list could go on.
Well, after that in-depth look, allow us to summarize. Sublimation printing is outstanding for fine lines and details, and arguably one of the best methods for all-over printing. With low set up costs, it is great for small runs, and the printing is so close to permanent it&#;s pretty much unbeatable. But, it isn&#;t great for natural fabrics, requiring 80-85% poly-blends, and the white areas are left unprinted which can be problematic if you want to print on darker fabrics.
Order some samples of our poly fabrics to see an example of this amazing printing technique! We have an extensive range of over 110 fabrics, most of which use sublimation printing to achieve the best result. Browse our full range below!
Last Updated on May 23, by Packoi Team
Sublimation printing is a digital printing method applied extensively across the market. With this technique, the design is transferred from a sublimation paper to a substrate or fabric.
When you are making dye sublimation, it is possible to utilize a sublimation-specific printer that offers professional outcomes. Some of the known printers for this purpose include inkjet printers that make converting to sublimation easy. The printers usually utilize sublimation ink cartridges with specialized dye particles in a liquid.
Through sublimation, a solid substance is converted to a gaseous state without becoming a liquid. Therefore, sublimation ink is formulated in a way that allows it to change from a solid to a gaseous state. It is worth noting that these ink types come with several advantages and disadvantages. The article aims to explain what sublimation ink is, its working process, and its diverse industrial applications. It is also crucial to understand the pros and cons of these inks in different sectors.
Sublimation ink is a specialized ink formulated to sublimate. It is not the same ink you use in your typical office printer. There are two types: aqueous sublimation ink dyes and solvent sublimation ink dyes. It is designed to directly change from a solid to a gaseous state when heated. The specialized ink is made from dye particles and is specially made for a sublimation printer. The dye particles are suspended in a liquid carrier without dissolving. The complete definition of sublimation inks is based on the sublimation printing process.
The manner in which sublimation inks work is just amazing. This printing method is widely accepted due to its high-resolution images and designs. Sublimation inks are designed to be used with inkjet printers and are compatible with these special ink cartridges and their inkjet printing technology. The sublimation printer prepares the ink to print on heat transfer paper. Once the image is printed on the sublimation paper by a digital printer, it is then transferred onto the fabric or print material. When the transfer paper is heated under pressure, the dye particles melt and change directly from a solid to a gas, diffusing and permeating the polyester fabric, creating high-quality print media.
Dye sublimation inks create reverse images on heat-resistant sublimation papers. The reverse images are then printed on polyester fabrics to produce the final print photos. This process is common when creating graphic designs on t-shirts. After printing, the ink becomes an integral part of the garment and does not fade over time.
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Sublimation inks come with a wide range of applications. The increasing reliability issues of screen printing have led to the use of sublimation printing technology because of its quality prints. With their unlimited advantages, sublimation printers have found their way into some key industries.
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Think of the attractive image and other prints in full color on your t-shirt. Textiles, like polyester garments, and apparel, like t-shirts, jumpers, and socks, are effective with sublimation printing. All polyester fabrics are compatible with sublimation inks. Notably, the textiles and apparel printed through dye sublimation are washable and do not wear or wash off over time.
The demand for custom prints on personal items is high. Dye sublimation printing allows the creation of desirable images and other prints on hardware items like ceramics, metals, and wood. Some people also want to create personalized images on the surface of items like mugs and plates. The sublimation printing method can produce vivid designs on hardware items that can maintain vibrant colors even after washing.
Sublimation printing is a process in which ink is transferred from a printed piece onto a substrate, creating a permanent bond that won&#;t wash off or fade with time. Sublimation printing uses a special type of ink called sublimation ink. Here are some pros of printing with sublimation inks:
Sublimation printers produce high-quality, sleek results. The sublimation ink reaches the printing material in gaseous form. It penetrates and firmly binds to the fabrics under controlled heat and pressure. The dye particles of the ink are embedded in the substrate and cannot fade off easily. The sublimation process gives more detailed prints and high-resolution printing results. Unlike screen printing, where smudging and smearing pose a risk to image quality, sublimation printing is not affected by such factors.
Sublimation prints have proven to be durable. Heat presses under pressure on the prepared heat transfer paper ensure the sublimation ink forms a firm image on the printing surface, including rigid surfaces of items like mugs and plates. The vivid image does not peel or scratch off and is close to permanent on the printed material, which is not the case with DTG printing. For example, sublimation printing on garments can last longer without fading until the item is worn out. The sublimation inks are designed to be waterproof and resistant to UV, scratching, or abrasion over time.
One of the key advantages of sublimation printing is its flexibility with materials. The sublimation inks can print on a wide range of substrates, barring pure cotton or silk. You can use sublimation inks to print on polyester fabrics, wood, glass, cardboard, and metal surfaces. Even the cotton, if treated with a polyester layer, can be sublimated with specialized ink. Business owners take advantage of sublimation printing since it can print on a wide range of materials.
The level of customization in sublimation printing is higher compared to other printing methods. It allows people to create near-permanent images and other graphics rather than adding layers on top of their items. It is ideal for quick customization and printing of personalized, intricate designs on mugs, apparel, and other items. In today&#;s fashion markets, it is difficult to find garments without graphic designs; people are looking for clothing with the right fabric while looking attractive with designs. Even plain t-shirts or other garments on the market are sold without preprinted designs to allow customers to apply their desired graphics. The intricate designs will not peel as long as the print is applied effectively to the surface.
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While there are many advantages to printing with sublimation inks, there are also some cons to consider:
The initial cost involved in setting up sublimation printing is high. The cost of a sublimation printer is higher than that of a standard inkjet printer. In fact, special printers and inks are more costly than other printing methods. This is because the sublimation printer requires a special heat press machine, which increases the cost. This printing method is not cost-effective, especially when dealing with large quantities.
Dye sublimation printers can only work with plastic substrates, especially polyester. All the printing materials must be coated with a layer of plastic polymer before printing. Dye-sublimation inks are not ideal for natural fabrics like cotton unless they are coated with a polyester layer before printing. Materials polymer-coated with plastic polymers pose a risk to the environment. These materials produce solid waste, hindering sustainability efforts made by customers and businesses.
The processes involved in sublimation printing are complex. From setting up the printing machines and preparing the transfer paper to heat pressing and producing a printed output, sublimation printing must be laborious. Heat-pressing each item individually and printing individual transfer papers makes the process tedious and complex. The repetition of these processes for individual items can also make sublimation printing slow.
The specialized inks in a sublimation printer cannot print on dark surfaces. Because the sublimation inks are transparent or sometimes translucent, they are only usable with white backgrounds and bright-colored objects. This incompatibility is a great downside for the application of sublimation printing.
Sublimation printing presents a suitable digital technology for vibrant-colored and quality designs. The sublimation inks come with excellent features that, upon printing, become a permanent part of the printed material. Also, the sublimation printer uses special technology to produce the desired quality output. However, the sublimation ink comes with specific advantages and disadvantages that are crucial to getting started with sublimation printing. While getting started with your sublimation printing business, it is important to keep in mind your environmental goals.
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