sublimation

WHAT IS SUBLIMATION PRINTING?

Sublimation printing, also known as thermal sublimation, is mainly used for printing on media other than paper.

How does sublimation work in printing?

First, the images will be printed on transfer paper (the image being inverted as in a mirror). You must use four-color printing for files. The inks used are indeed the famous CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and black).

Then a strong pressure at high temperature (between 180 ° C and 210 ° C), using a calender or a suitable press, will transform these pigments into gas ... and permanently impregnate them in the chosen support .

In which case to use sublimation?

Sublimation printing is often used for textiles. It is particularly recommended in this area because the inks and designs are bonded to the fibers of the fabric, and will therefore resist washing.
But you can also use sublimation for solid objects, such as key chains, pencils, USB keys, mugs or other materials.

Textile sublimation

Textile sublimation is a relatively recent personalization technique for white 100% polyester clothing. This technique is ideal for technical and sports clothing because it does not clog the pores of the fabric and allows the garment to breathe.

the stages of textile sublimations:

Your visual is printed with a printer or a plotter containing special inks on a non-absorbent paper.
Le papier est ensuite pressé sur le vêtement à personnaliser. Les encres ont la capacité de s’évaporer avec la chaleur de la presse et de pénétrer à l’intérieur des molécules du polyester.
Finally, we remove the special paper.
The t-shirt is ready to be worn !

Advantages of sublimations compared to other techniques:

L’impression en sublimation est indélébile : l’encre fond chimiquement ce qui permet une diffusion à travers le tissu.
Imperceptible to the touch, light and breathable.
To personalize with your logos or designs, without limit of colors.
L’impression est réalisée sans calques ni écrans.
Technique d’impression rapide à partir de petites quantités
This technique allows quality printing at no additional cost: the price will be the same for monochrome or four-color printing.
L’inconvénient de cette technique est qu’elle est réalisable uniquement sur des vêtements en polyester blanc mais notre catalogue contient une large gamme de t-shirts, polos, coupe-vent, sacs, casquettes, etc.
We have added many cotton touch polyester t-shirts to our catalog. Ideal for designers, their soft touch will surprise you.

In which case to use sublimation?

Sublimation printing is often used for textiles. It is particularly recommended in this area because the inks and designs are bonded to the fibers of the fabric, and will therefore resist washing. Sublimation is increasingly popular in the printing industry. Its main limitation is that it will be especially effective on light backgrounds. The colors obtained in this way will indeed be more difficult to impose themselves on dark backgrounds.

Sublimation printing

It is the best technique for customizing mugs, but has some limitations if you want to transfer images to cotton.

Its limits are as follows:
- cotton must be treated with polyester, so that the sublimation ink can transfer; normal cotton is not suitable
- the background must be white or very clear, since the sublimation ink is not covering.

It is for this reason that it is preferable to personalize the t-shirts and the shoppers with the system of the laser transfer, which can be carried out as well on natural fabric as on synthetic fabric (white or colored, it is enough to '' adapt the type of transfer paper).

The equipment required for laser transfer is as follows:

- a laser printer preferably from the OKI brand,

- laser transfer paper for light or colored fabrics, with automatic trimming or without trimming,

- a flat heat press,

- optional: a cutting plotter.

To place a sublimation order

Screen printing, as you point out, becomes economically attractive when you need to make at least 50 copies with the same design.