Sublimation print technology is a digital printing technique which utilizes both pressure and heat to transfer dye onto various surfaces.
Following can be the complete procedure, which varies
- You print a design onto special transfer paper using sublimation inks.
- Then, you place the paper onto a product and heat it with a heat press.
- The heat turns the inks into a gas, and the material absorbs them.
- As a result, you get a permanent, vibrant print that won’t fade or crack over time.
Fittings in sublimation printing technology
Since you’ve come to understand how the process of sublimation printing works, let’s explore the positive and negative aspects of this printing technology, beginning with the positive.
Positive aspects of Sublimation Printing
1- Printing results are vivid and precise.
What makes sublimation printing, so intriguing is its ability to generate colorful and detailed prints. Because of the high temperatures used to perform the procedure, the shapes are incredibly crisp, and the colors are not faded.
2- Print stability.
It is essential to remember that dye sublimation does not just apply the ink on top of the material. Instead, it absorbs into the item, thus forming a fundamental component of it. That is why a sublimation print will not fade or wash off lasting far longer than a screen print or DTG technology print.
3. Short processing time.
Another advantage of sublimation printing is the fast turnaround time. Because the printing process is digital and does not need the creation of a physical screen or plate, sublimation printers can create high-quality prints rapidly and with less human work, a good example could be given as screen printing.
4. A wide range of products
Sublimation is diverse in terms of material selection and allows for plenty of artistic flexibility. You may create personalized apparel, indoor or outdoor wears, sportswear, flags, banners, backpacks, mugs, mousepads, and more.
5. There are no purchase minimums.
If you use a print-on-demand service like Printful, you may purchase one-off sublimated items without having to satisfy a minimum order quantity. This also allows for experimentation—you can test items to see which ones your consumers prefer without investing too much in inventory.
6. Being environmentally friendly, ECO Friendly
The last advantage of sublimation printing is that it is an environmentally friendly printing technology. Contrasting traditional printing technologies, which utilize water-based inks and solvents, sublimation printing uses dry inks. The dry inks penetrate the substance when printing, which leads to minimum waste and less impact on the environment. Furthermore, it reduces ink by only applying it where it is needed.
Negative aspects of Sublimation Printing
There are certain restrictions to sublimation printing. Below, we’ve identified three significant negatives to consider before investing to this printing process.
1. The equipment limitations.
Sublimation only works on 100% polyester or fabric mixes with a high proportion of polyester. The less polyester in the cloth means more fading to the prints. This is due to the chemical features of sublimation dyes, which require synthetic fibers to fully adhere and produce long-lasting effects.
If you want to print on cotton, silk, or leather, sublimation is not the best option. Sublimation dyes will not attach to natural textiles and will wash off fast.
2. Core color limitations
Sublimation is only available for white or extremely light blank items. This is because there is no white ink in sublimation printing, and sublimation inks cannot brighten the base color.
If you sublimate on black cloth, the dye will transfer but you won’t be able to see it. For example, printing a vibrant magenta hue on a black clothing produces a black print with a pink tone.
3. White wrinkling
When sublimating on a prefabricated apparel, some sections may not be printed properly, resulting in white streaks. This frequently occurs within gaps or as a result of unintentionally pressing.