What Is Sublimation?
What does sublimation mean and how is used?
Published on
January 15, 2023 1:21:36 PM PST January 15, 2023 1:21:36 PM PSTth, January 15, 2023 1:21:36 PM PST
Sublimation is a printing process that uses heat and pressure to transfer dye onto a variety of materials such as polyester fabrics, ceramics, metal, and plastic.
The process involves printing an image onto special transfer paper using sublimation ink, which is a type of ink that is made up of solid dye particles. The transfer paper is then placed onto the surface of the material, and heat and pressure are applied using a heat press or other specialized equipment.
The heat causes the dye particles to turn into gas, which penetrates the surface of the material, bonding with it and creating a permanent image.
Sublimation printing is known for producing high-quality, long-lasting images that are resistant to fading, cracking, and peeling. The process can be used to print on a wide variety of materials, including fabrics, ceramics, metal, and plastic, making it suitable for a wide range of products, from t-shirts and mugs to phone cases and keychains.
Sublimation printing is a popular choice for printing on sportswear, for creating custom designed products, and for producing small runs of items with a high level of detail. It is also used for creating custom-designed products, such as mouse pads, ceramic tiles, and metal signs.
The sublimation process is more complex and requires more specialized equipment than other types of printing such as screen printing, offset or digital printing but it is also more flexible and allows more creativity in the final product.
Sublimation printing is commonly used for a variety of products including:
Apparel:
Sublimation is often used to print designs on clothing, such as t-shirts, hoodies, and other wearables.
Home goods:
Sublimation can be used to print designs on items such as mugs, coasters, and other household items.
Personalized items:
Sublimation is often used to print custom designs on items such as phone cases, keychains, and other personal items.
Sportswear:
Sublimation is used to print designs on sportswear such as jerseys, shorts, and other athletic clothing.
Signage:
Sublimation can be used to print designs on signs, banners, and other promotional materials.
Sublimation is a popular printing technique because it produces high-quality, vibrant colors and fine details, and it allows for printing on a wide range of materials.