Sublimation
Unlock the Power of Sublimation Printing! From vibrant ink to premium printers, we offer everything you need for your projects to stand above the rest. Superior quality, unmatched customization, and a world of possibilities await you!
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What is Sublimation?
Sublimation printing is an advanced digital printing technique that utilizes specially formulated heat-sensitive inks to transfer stunning designs onto an array of materials. This innovative process involves the conversion of ink particles directly into gas by applying heat, which permeates the polymer coating or fibers of the substrate and solidifies into the material. The result is a breathtakingly vivid, sharp, and long-lasting print that seamlessly integrates into the fabric. Thanks to its incredible ability to replicate intricate and full-color designs with exceptional accuracy, sublimation printing is a highly sought-after method for creating customized apparel, promotional items, and one-of-a-kind gifts.
Sublimation Tools
Heat Transfer Warehouse offers a wide selection of premium printers, such as the Sawgrass SG1000 Sublimation Printer. Pair this printer with sublimation paper from WALASub and excellent sublimation ink, like our Siser EasySubli Ink, to bring your designs to life. We also offer a variety of blanks ranging from t-shirts to hard blanks like our Steel Skinny 20 oz Tumbler With Straw.
Dye sublimation printing offers the ability to create beautiful, full-color prints that will not only last but will wow anyone who sees them. If you want more information on the dye printing, check out our youtube playlist for more in-depth knowledge.
Sublimation Resources
FAQs
Sublimation is a printing method that utilizes heat to imprint a design onto fabric or other materials. The design is printed onto specialized paper using sublimation ink and then placed onto a blank material. Upon application of heat, the ink transforms into gas and firmly bonds with the material's surface, resulting in a permanent and high-quality print that is robust and long-lasting.
Sublimation, unlike heat transfer vinyls, uses heat to turn sublimation ink into a gas which is able to permeate the "pores" of the material you are printing on. This results in the design and the material becoming a cohesive item. Sublimation printing allows for permanent designs, similar to a tattoo, where as heat transfer vinyl will still be sitting on the surface of the garment or blank.
Sublimation allows you to print any designs permanently in any color you want. Unlike vinyl printing, sublimation is not limited to the brand of vinyl you purchase which gives you the ability to print any design in any color combination you want.
Sublimation works best with clothing garments made from polyester or hard surface polymer-coated items. These would be products such as coffee mugs, t-shirts, mouse pads, and more.
Fabrics that are already colored are not great candidates for sublimation as the material already has color. If you want to create custom clothing that is dark, we recommend using heat transfer vinyls.
If you are a beginner or hobbyist, we recommend a printer from Sawgrass . If you are looking to create large batch order, Epson printers are a great option.
Sublimation printing is a great option if you want your designs to last a long time. Since sublimation printing uses heat to transfer dye into the fabric or surface, it creates a bond making the design seem to be a part of the fabric or surface. It wouldn't be surprising to see it last for 10 years or longer without fading.
The transfer is moving while heated and transferring dye. Either you are pressing, moving, then pressing again, or you are peeling while hot and then laying the hot paper back down.
If your images are coming out blurry, it is likely a printer problem. I would first recommend making sure you have a high res / good quality image. Then double check that your printer nozzles / heads are clean.
For Soft garments: 385 for 45 seconds medium pressure.
For Hard blanks: 400 for 60 seconds medium pressure