About sublimation

What is Sublimation Printing?

Sublimation Printing is a process of transferring full-colour lettering, graphics and even photographs onto other materials. Common uses in business are; fabrics (for T-Shirts, computer mouse mats, hats and other promotional or gift items); metals, like Aluminium (for signs, labels, nameplates, keytags, badges and the like) and ceramics (for plates, mugs, tiles and similar items.) The avenues for building or expanding a business using sublimation printing are extensive.

How it's done...

Sublimation printing is a simple process. First, a 'print' is made using a computer and an inkjet printer that is loaded with special sublimation dyes. The image is then placed upon the item that is to be printed and subjected to a high temperature using a heat press. When the item is removed from the heat press, the image will have been transferred! The process takes no more than a couple of minutes in most cases.

Setting Up Sublimation For Your Business...

Bringing sublimation printing into your business is relatively inexpensive. A sublimation printer needs the following items; a computer running some sort of design software (usually Adobe Photoshop and/or Illustrator for example); an Epson inkjet printer in one of several possible models; special sublimation dyes for use in the inkjet printer; a heat press. Since most businesses already have the computer and software then all that is needed, in most cases, are the printer, the dyes and the press. Easy!

Sublimation Vs. Screenprinting

Sublimation prints do not need screens, or setup of virtually any kind. A colour print from your computer will be a colour print on your finished item in around one minute. Furthermore, the image is sealed beneath the surface so that it cannot be scratched off or damaged in any easy way, unlike a regular transfer or regular screenprint. Given that prints in full-colour take so little time and are so strong and durable, it's no wonder that sublimation is one of the fastest growing printing methods in the world!