Advantages & Disadvantages Of Sublimation Printing

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Do you want to get started in the personalisation sector? Have you heard of sublimation printing and are now considering launching a business using this technique? If this is the case, many of your questions will be answered in this post.

Sublimation printing is the technique that enables designs or images to be transferred onto rigid objects or polyester fabrics. This method is very appealing due to its easy-learning process, low initial investment, and the wide range of products that are already prepared for sublimation.

The sublimation process consists of two simple steps:

1. Print your design/photo with an inkjet printer that you will use exclusively for this technique. It must be equipped with special sublimation paper and inks.
2. Transfer the design to a surface prepared for sublimation using a heat press to apply heat.

This technique offers many ADVANTAGES:

• This is one of the few methods that will allow printing on rigid surfaces (mugs, photo slates, plates, clocks, etc.)
• It&#;s relatively simple and has a very short learning curve (fast learning process).
• It offers an unlimited range of colours. You can obtain thousands of different colours by using four-colour ink (CMYK). There is no additional cost when adding a new colour to your design. That's why it's a fantastic option to print photos.
• You don't need to set a minimum print run. Whether you personalise 1 or units, the unit cost remains the same.
• After sublimation, the printing gets integrated into the substrate and becomes part of it. Unlike transfer paper, the result is unnoticeable to the touch, can't be scratched and will not lose its colour.
• Because it's easy and fast, you can produce your orders on the same day.
• Nowadays, there are hundreds of items prepared for sublimation: mugs, plates, photo slates, wallets, flip flops, clothing, decorative items, etc.

But it also presents a few DISADVANTAGES:

• The fabric must be 100% polyester or made of, at least, 2/3 of polyester.
• For non-textile substrates, only items which have a special polyester coating can be used.
• Sublimation items must have a white or light-coloured print area. Black or dark-coloured surfaces can&#;t be sublimated.
• The item may lose colour over the months due to the effect of UV rays if it&#;s permanently exposed to direct sunlight.
• Like all inkjet printers, the printheads may clog if they are not used frequently. For this reason, it is recommended to keep the printer on at all times. It will clean them automatically on a daily basis.
• As for any marking through digital image transfer, the size of the printing is limited by:
  • The original resolution of the image, which defines the maximum size it can be enlarged to.
  • The dimensions of the press' lower plate.

If you&#;re new to this sector and are starting from scratch, it would be useful for you to have a pack prepared with everything you need to start sublimating. Several options are available in our Sublimation Packs category. You can also find all the instructions to sublimate our products, as well as some templates, on our website Brildor.com.

Want more information on sublimation transfer sheets factory? Feel free to contact us.

You no longer have any excuse not to launch your personalised gift project!

And you? What advantages and disadvantages do you find in sublimation printing?

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When you are looking at dye sublimation printing, you may sometimes wonder about the process and any issues that may arise. In general, dye sublimation printing is perfect for fabrics, and many businesses use sublimation printing for fabric banners. If you are interested in dye sublimation printing for a fabric banner, you may want to consider the advantages and disadvantages of the process.

The Basics

In short, dye sublimation printing for fabric is simply sublimating dye into fabric. The standard process requires the ink to be turned from a solid into a gas which can be absorbed into the item being printed. With fabric, a transfer paper that is printed on with a digital printer is used as a go-between. While generically named, the transfer paper is a specially treated paper that is able to accept dyes. CMYO (cyan, magenta, yellow, overprint clear) dye cartridges are used instead of the average CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) ink cartridges. The CMYO cartridges allows the dye to become part of the fabric, rather than simply covering the fabric.

The transfer paper is then applied to a piece of polyester or other similar synthetic fabric. About 375 degrees Fahrenheit of heat is then applied, usually by feeding the fabric through heated rollers that also apply pressure to the fabric. The fabric&#;s cells expand and the dye is converted into a gaseous state and is absorbed. Once the fabric cools, the cells close up and the ink is trapped, making the printing permanent.

The Advantages

For fabrics, dye sublimation printing is usually seen as a better option than inkjet printing. The biggest advantage is that dye sublimation creates a finished product that is noticeably more durable than a product printed with an inkjet printer. As the dye essentially impregnates the fabric, it actually becomes a part of the fabric itself. The printing then cannot be damaged with wear, nor can it be flaked off or crack.

Dye sublimation printing on fabrics is usually more visually appealing. The process involves a continuous tone output in printing. As a result, it creates smoother and brighter color transitions and variations than inkjet printing. Fabrics that have been printed with dye sublimation usually have an overall more superior look and sleeker finish.

The Disadvantages

There are actually very few disadvantages to dye sublimation printing fabrics. The biggest issue that arises or causes problems is that the process is much slower than using inkjet printing. There are more steps in dye sublimation, and it requires additional labor, which can cause the price to be a bit higher than other processes.

Another disadvantage a production issue more common with older printers. Occasionally, the fabric would become creased or wrinkled as it is pulled through the rollers, effectively ruining both the fabric and the transfer print. Newer printer models have eliminated this issue by having the paper and fabric inline, with the printers continuing to print as the piece is drawn into the rollers.

On January 27,

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