Sublimation Printing Process, Pros and Cons

Sublimation printing has revolutionized the printing industry.

It's one of the most popular methods to print pictures on synthetic fabrics as well as other types. In the clothing industry, with its huge market share sublimation printing is a crucial method to master in the field of fabric printing.

This guide will assist you in understanding the basics of sublimation printing, and how you can begin your printing business. Let's begin with the basics first!

What is Sublimation Printing?

Sublimation dye printing is an affordable option for small quantities and is used widely, particularly for custom-designed T-shirts. To put it in a simpler way sublimation printing is a process of printing which transfers a design onto fabric or fabric through heat and ink. With the ever-changing and ever-growing demand for custom printing sublimation printing is emerging to be an industry leader since it permits full-length garment prints.

Sublimation Printing Process:

Sublimation printing makes use of heat to mix ink with fabric. The design is first printed on the specially-designed paper. The ink then transforms into a gaseous substance by heat, which results in more effective outcomes. The effect lasts for a long time and doesn't fade disappear because the ink mixes with the fabric, instead of creating layers.

In this case, the heat expands those pores in the fabric, and then pressure is applied to cool the fabric before it takes on a solid shape. The final print is durably filled with color and doesn't crack peel, fade, or wash away.

It is quickly getting attention due to its excellent solution for small batches or those that require intricate designs. Another term for this is all-over printing due to the seamless structure of its design.

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Pros of Sublimation Printing:

• It's simple printing on glass surfaces such as plates, mugs, clocks, etc.
• It is easy to design complex designs with four colors of CMYK. There is no additional cost of using different screens.
• Sublimation techniques are easy and simple to master
• You can personalize one or 1000 items effortlessly.
• The ink and fabric mix well and the design is very great and is not prone to be scratched or lost colors.
• Easy to create thousands of items within a day, as the printing is speedier

Cons of Sublimation Printing:

• If you print on t-shirts, the shirt needs to be at least 2/3rd or 100%. The part should be made of polyester
• To use sublimation printing, the object must include light or colored print areas, as dark or black areas aren't able to be sublimated.
• There is a possibility that, due to the intense bright sunlight that the image may fade over a period of time.
• If you don't use it on a regular basis, the printheads can get blocked. It is, therefore, better to maintain the printer and let it wash itself each day.

Equipment needed for Sublimation Printing

Sublimation Ink:

The choice of the best sublimation ink can be not a simple task. Particularly when you have a variety of choices for your company. There are a variety of inks on the market. Some sellers attempt to convince you by offering at a bargain price however, make sure they're not of low quality.

Most of the time, cheap quality links are not reliable and produce the low-quality final. This could result in fewer sales, a decrease in customer satisfaction, and the ink's fade. Make sure you purchase high-quality ink, even if it's somewhat expensive however its quality is top-notch and can help you boost sales and gain more customers. Being aware that quality is more important than quantity is always the best option.

Sublimation Paper:

When selecting the paper for printing sublimation, make sure that it is of the same quality and clear. Sublimation papers are helpful in transferring designs, so they need to be flawless. When you transfer the ink onto the paper, it's slow and the clarity of the paper is kept. Because the clarity of the paper can help transfer the designs onto the t-shirts and provide high-quality prints.

Heat Press:

The heat press has an important role to play, as they collect the prints at the end stage and assist in mixing the fabric and ink. In general, there are two kinds of heat press machines available i.e. manual and automatic. You can choose one or the other based on the preference you have.

The rising demand for the printing of final images has led a lot of printmakers to employ automated heat press machines since they require less effort and are more efficient. While manual machines require lots of resources and maintenance costs.

Design Software:

Design software is a vital component since the most important aspect of designing is dependent on it. As a print manager, you'll need to comprehend the importance of learning programs like CorelDraw, Adobe Photoshop, and so on. 

Final Words:

Sublimation printing has made significant strides in the printing field and made a significant change for them and made it much easier for printmakers to bring their concepts to life. The demand for custom-designed clothing is growing and is likely to continue soon. So, investing in a sublimation printer could be the best option for your company.