Table of Contents
Sublimation Printing
Sublimation printing is another form of digital printing in which the computer-aided designs are transferred and then printed on the material you desire. Sublimation printing is a process in which the user is allowed to get the full-colored design results on a certain material. The material on which sublimation printing works the best is glass, metal, ceramic, and many other products. The reason these materials could be used for sublimation printing is that they are given a unique coating that makes them perfect for the sublimation printing process.
How does it work?
Similar to a traditional inkjet printer
Sublimation printing is generally a process in which special sublimation ink is used to print the images on the paper or any other material. For sublimation printing, special sublimation ink, sublimation transfer paper, and sublimation printer are required. The process of sublimation printing is similar to the traditional inkjet printing as in that process the ink gets into the item you are printing it on, and inkjet printer utilizes the carrier sheet on the top of the material to spread the ink.
Digital printer to transfer the image
Firstly, sublimation printing uses the digital printer to deliver the image on the sublimation transfer paper by using special sublimation ink. The desired design that you want to get on the material is printed on the paper, and the entire design is made with only sublimation ink
Heat press
Once the design is done on the paper, it is kept in the heat press with the material on which we want that design to get printed. The heat press is set to about 300-400 F and here the ink will start turning into gas and will transfer on the material we have kept with the paper in the heat press. The heat effects of the heat press will help the ink to turn from a solid into a gas, and once it is changed, it is transferred on the material.
The final step
Exactly when the heat is ousted from the sublimation paper and substrate, the ink that has invaded the fibers solidifies and is darted forever into spot by the material. Not only does the heat release the gas from the sublimation ink, yet it opens the pores of the material you are moving the image to. At the point when the weight and warmth are released, the sublimation ink returns to its solid-state, and the surface pores close, getting the ink inside.
What material can be printed with sublimation printing?
The ideal material that should be used for sublimation printing is polyester. For fabrics, it is recommended to sue the fabric made of plastic fibers. Sublimation printing requires 80% of the polyester in the material you want to get the prints on. Even if you want the sublimation prints on the ceramic plates, mugs or any other stuff, be careful only to use those materials that are at least coated with polyester. Avoid using cotton because when the material is kept in the heat press, the temperature is so high that it might burn the cotton.
