Dye Sublimation Printing is a relatively new but fast growing system in Textile, Gift Industry and educational institutions. In essence, it allows you to reproduce multicolour images on to the surface of various materials like ceramic, fabric, wood, polyester etc.

What is Sublimation ?

Sublimation is a process by which an image printed on paper is transferred to another surface or substrate. Unlike conventional inks, sublimation inks are coverted directly from a solid to gas under heat and pressure, causing them to bond with the fibers of synthetic materials such as polyester. The molecules of ink revert to a solid state upon cooling, peramanently staining the surface of the polyester or alternative substrate.

What are Dye Sublimation Inks ?

Dye Sublimation inks are in essence a formulation of special colour dyes suspended in liquids that can be passed through a digital inkjet printer

What Material can be sublimated

Suitable materials are man made polymers such as Polyester and PVC and Ceramic with Coating. These can be 'hard' such as polyester coated sheet of aluminium or ceramic tiles or 'soft' such as poly cotton textiles. During the heat press stage the pores of these polymers open to allow sublmation ink now in gaseous state to enter the substrate. As the temperature drops the pores close leaving the now solid ink image as part of the polymer. Printable materials.

What Material cannot be sublimated

As Dye Sublimation is always performed on a Polyester Polymer coated item, materials such as 100% cotton are not suitable as the natural fibres have no pores to open to accept the image will fade with a few washes making a 50% polyester 50% cotton weave a required minimum.

Sublimation Paper

If you used low cost photocopy paper, too much of the ink would absorb in to the paper itself and not enough would be "Sublimated" into the material. Sublimation paper has a coating on the surface which effectively means the ink sits on the paper without ever throughly drying. Samkit Sublimation paper will work with all sublimation material providing the best color release. The Economy grade is cheaper and can be used on a wide range of materials.

What equipment is needed for sublimation printing ?

All Model Inkjet Printers
Sublimation Paper
Dye Sublimation Ink and Catridges
Heat Presss for Flat Material
Mug Press Machine