How Does The Sublimation Process Work?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Well, sublimation printing

uses heat to essentially bring ink and fabric together as one

. … The heat opens up the pores of the fabric, then with the applied pressure the ink cools and returns to a solid form. The result is a permanent, full colour image that won’t crack, peel or wash away from the substrate.

What is the process of sublimation printing?

Sublimation shirt printing is a specific process of printing that first

involves printing onto a special sheet of paper, then transferring that image onto another material

(usually polyester or a polyester mix). The ink is then heated until it disintegrates into the fabric.

How do I get started with sublimation?

  1. Sublimation Ready Printer. You can either use a printer designed and manufactured for sublimation, or you can convert an already existing ink jet printer to support sublimation.
  2. Sublimation Ink. …
  3. Sublimation Paper. …
  4. Heat Press. …
  5. Design Software.

What is sublimation and how is it done?

Sublimation definition:

when a solid material turns into a gas without going through a liquid stage

. This means that the artwork is transferred to an object in a gas state by using a high temperature heat press during the dye sublimation printing process.

Is a sublimation printer worth it?

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.

Which is better sublimation or heat transfer?

If your business focuses or mainly focuses in white and light-color polyester apparel,

sublimation

is a great option. Your prints will have the lightest hand and great durability and washability. However, if you want to print on any color or material type, heat transfer paper will be your best bet.

How much does it cost to start a sublimation business?

One of the advantages of starting a sublimation business is that the start-up and production costs are low, while the profit margins are high. It may cost you

less than $1,500

to set up a sublimation business profitably.

Is sublimation better than vinyl?

Sublimation printing has

a bit higher start-up coast

when compared to heat transfer vinyl, but maybe a better option based on final results. To get started with sublimation printing you will need a sublimation printer, sublimation paper, heat press machine and blank apparel where our design will be transferred.

Can sublimation be done on cotton?

Now you can sublimate onto cotton using

Forever Subli-Light

! … Sublimate onto cotton and no longer use those heavy polyester shirts. There is also no need to weed or contour cut your transfer since only the inks itself transfer over onto your textile.

What materials can be sublimated?

What Materials Can Be Sublimation Printed? Suitable materials are

man-made polymers such as Polyester and PVC

. These can be ‘hard’ such as a polyester coated sheet of aluminium or ceramic tiles or ‘soft’ such as polycotton textiles.

What are the disadvantages of sublimation?

Sublimation items

must have a white or light-coloured print area

. Black or dark-coloured surfaces can’t be sublimated. The item may lose colour over the months due to the effect of UV rays if it’s permanently exposed to direct sunlight. Like all inkjet printers, the printheads may clog if they are not used frequently.

What happens if you sublimate on 100 cotton?

This is why true sublimation bonding results in dye will not crack, peel or fade when laundered. In the case of products that allow cotton sublimation,

the resulting image will be on the surface instead of in the surface

, and may crack, peel or fade over time.

How long do sublimation prints last?

Print Technology Display Permanence (Glass Protected) Air Fade Resistance Dye Sublimation

4-8 years

lightfastness (one brand: 26 years) Decades (most brands)

What is the difference between iron on and sublimation?

Sublimation is a dyeing process. So, similar to tie-dyeing shirts, a

sublimation end-product is dyed

, unlike when we use iron-on or heat transfer vinyl (HTV). When we use HTV or iron-on vinyl we adhere or melt a plastic-based material onto our project blank.

Can you do sublimation on dark shirts?

While

it’s not possible to sublimate dark colors directly

, with a Silhouette CAMEO, Sawgrass Sublimation Printer, and white glitter HTV you can make it work! … The process to sublimate on dark t shirts is the same as the process to sublimate on cotton shirts that are other colors – including white.

Can you use sublimation paper on T shirts?

The heat transfer sublimation paper works with light colored polyester fabric and polyester coated items, such as T-shirt, canvas bag, ceramic mug, tile, phone case, pillow case, metal plate, key chain, mouse pad, you can

sublimate anything

you want!

Charlene Dyck
Author
Charlene Dyck
Charlene is a software developer and technology expert with a degree in computer science. She has worked for major tech companies and has a keen understanding of how computers and electronics work. Sarah is also an advocate for digital privacy and security.