Process of Dye Sublimation Printing
You need following for Dye sublimation Printing
Sublimation printer,
Sublimation inks,
Sublimation paper,
Heat press machine
The first part of the process is very simple and resembles exactly to normal process of printing.
How do we print something on paper using computer and desktop printer ?
Precisely in the same manner, we print the artwork (as mirror image) on the sublimation paper using sublimation ink,
through any DTP software like CorelDraw, PhotoShop, etc.. Here, instead of normal paper, sublimation paper is used
and instead of normal ink, dye sublimation ink is used.
After printing, this paper is kept on the surface on which this artwork / image is to be transferred (with printed surface
facing downwards on the surface) and heat and pressure is applied using a heat press. The ink sublimates i.e. converts to
gaseous form and gets deposited "into" the surface, thus transferring image.
Sublimation transfers are made from special sublimation dyes that penetrate synthetic materials like polyester when you apply heat and pressure. During the transfer process, the dye heats up and turns into a gas that bonds with the synthetic portion of the fabric. No other decorating process can beat sublimation for the brilliance of color and durability. Because the sublimation
process dyes the fibers of a garment, instead of putting a layer of ink on top of the fabric, the image cannot crack, peel, or wear off. The trade-off with using the sublimation process is that for the chemistry to work, it must be used with shirts that have a high polyester content (at least 50%).
The more polyester in the shirt, the better the quality of the image. In the past, nobody wanted to wear a polyester shirt because they were uncomfortable and lacked many of the desirable qualities of cotton. But today, a number of manufacturers have come up with new processes that have resulted in polyester shirts that are soft, breathable, and comfortable even in warmer temperatures.These shirts have a polyester yarn on the outside to accept the transfer and a cotton yarn on the inside for comfort. You can get these shirts in light colors only since sublimation does not work on dark garments. In fact, polo shirts are also available using this special knitting process. Sublimation transfers are widely used to decorate bicycle racing jerseys.
Sublimation paper used is a specially coated paper which does not absorb the ink and thus helps in transferring maximum ink onto the surface of the immpritables.
Given below is a schematic of dye sublimation process which will help you understand it in a better sense.
Contact info:
Contact person: Jennifer
Skype: viola94810
WeChat/whatsapp/TEL : +86 15119752340
Email: elephant@transferchina.cn
Guangzhou Elephant Digital printing Co,.Ltd
Guangzhou address:5th Floor,15th Yongning Street,Dashi village,Panyu District, Guangzhou City ( MTR line 3,Near Dashi MTR Station Exit D)
