Nothing could be more interesting than printing the designs of your own choice on the fabric. But the question arises, how to do it? Well, sublimation is a process of printing designs on the fabrics by using heat and pressure. It is a facile procedure but yet can be applied easily by the companies and at homes. Sublimation has amassed prevalence among society since its end products are alluring. Here we will tell you how does sublimation printing work?
Printing fabricates creative designs, one can watch videos of printing, but reading makes it clearer to understand how it actually works. If you are truly inquisitive in sublimation printing, then you must read the article to understand and learn the entire details about it. If the process is wrongly followed, then it will cause a ghosting effect on the fabric. Before starting the process, you need to test some of the t-shirts so that you get aware of the sublimation printing machine.
How Does Sublimation Printing Work?
Well, if we talk about the working process of the sublimation machine, then the process is simple if followed correctly. It uses heat to transfer the design onto the fabric. A temperature of 470°F is set for 45 seconds. For further knowledge, here we propose a stepwise method, making it more fluent for your understanding. Now let’s get started!
Sublimation Printing Process
- Firstly, you have to use a sublimation paper for redeveloping the designs on the fabric/material.
- Secondly, you have to bring the fabric and the ink simultaneously. The ink is ingrained into the fabric strenuously because of the heat it provides to it, which opens the pores of the fabric.
- The heating process presses the ink on the fabric which cools it, turning it into a stable form.
- Lastly, lose the press leisurely by removing the paper gently from the fabric. And you are done!
The sublimation printing process is very simple once you have mastered it. One can use it at home by buying a sublimation printer. You can recreate your own preferred design by using the sublimation printer and heat press.
Dye Sublimation Printers
If you are looking to establish your own sublimation printing work, then you must buy the best dye-sublimation printer. A dye-sublimation printing technology transfers the image into the fabric by using the heat press. Buy your own choice of dye-sublimation printers and start printing your own customized sublimation t-shirts.
Sublimation Printing Fabric
For starting your own sublimation printing business, it is important to know which sort of fabric you should use. There is a variety of fabrics, but the right one will provide significant and long-lasting results. Following fabrics must be used for the sublimation process;
- Polyester-made fabric
- Polymer-coated metal
- Polycotton textile
- Polyester-coated aluminum
- Polymer-coated plastic
Still, the best one to use for the sublimation process is the Ceramic and the Polyester.
Pros of Dye Sublimation Printing
By using this technique, you can create your own designs on the sublimation t-shirts. You have an open right to choose the design you like and print it accordingly. The best thing is that you can use other materials too for the sublimation process like mugs, plates, clocks, photo slates, etc.
The sublimation process is a fast learning process, and one can learn and understand it promptly. It has no limit of colors; by using CMYK (four-color ink), you can obtain thousands of colors you want. You can add a color freely without paying a penny. Due to this reason, one can print a variety of photos.
The possibilities of adding a photo and designs by using this sublimation printing machine are interminable. The best thing is that you will get a maximum print run without spending money on each of the designs. After integration, the transfer paper attaches to the fabric so precisely that it does not lose its color.
The long-lasting design is the additional point that avoids cracking and fading of the color. Even after washing the fabric several times, it preserves its properties. Sublimation printing work is a fast and easy process that allows you to print your own favorite personalized designs.
Cons of Dye Sublimation Printing
The most faced problem is choosing the right cloth for the sublimation process. Polyester is the best of all the garments that a person should use for accurate and guaranteed results. You can use sublimation printing on other fabrics too but its design and color won’t be long lasting.
Sublimation printing is meant for light colors rather than dark ones. Dark color surfaces do not sublimate. The fabric that does not come in the range of the sublimation printer will stay white. If the sublimation fabric is exposed to direct UV sunlight then it will fade the color of the print.
Is White Ink Available in Sublimation Printing?
Unfortunately, white ink is not available in sublimation printing. Sublimation ink only involves CMYK color combination. So there is no color combination which can create white color. It works perfectly with lighter color but keep in mind it will not work good if there is an white color in your design.
How to make sublimation prints?
For sublimation prints, you have to create the photo digitally then use the chemical coated paper with sublimation ink. Place this paper on a material you want to print on, and use the sublimation printer for printing. As the heat and pressure are exerted, it will print the design on the material.
What is a sublimation design?
Sublimation design is basically the printing of personalized designs on the material by using sublimation ink and heat. The sublimation design can be created on t-shirts, jeans, mugs, clocks, etc.
What can you do with a sublimation printer?
You can transfer the designs and motives of your own choice to the different kinds of materials. The sublimation printers recreate the designs on the fabric by using heat and ink.
How long does sublimation prints last?
It depends on what kind of sublimation printer you are using and the quality of the fabric. If you are using polyester fabric, then the prints last for a longer period of time. Dye sublimation printers last for almost 4-8 years.
Now you can design your own specified printed t-shirts, clocks, jeans, mugs, plates, and many other things by using a sublimation printer. Once you understand does sublimation printing work, then it makes your printing work more feasible and quick. The features and items it provides for working are remarkable and provide a thrilling working experience.