Sublimation ink is a special ink that uses heat to transfer dyes to a variety of substrates, resulting in vibrant, high-quality prints with exceptional durability. In this process, the solid dye in the ink is directly converted to a gas (sublimation) under controlled heat and pressure. This gas penetrates the surface of the substrate and solidifies, forming a permanent bond with the material.
Why can sublimation inks achieve superior printing quality, durability and versatility compared to traditional printing methods? Here are some outstanding advantages of sublimation inks:
Vibrant Color Reproduction
Sublimation ink produces prints with exceptionally vibrant and true-to-life colors.The sublimation process allows the dye to penetrate deep into the substrate, resulting in excellent color saturation and clarity.
High-Resolution Printing
Sublimation ink enables high-resolution printing, allowing for sharp details, smooth gradients, and photo-quality images.This makes it suitable for printing intricate designs, photographs, and graphics with fine lines and textures.
Durability and Longevity
Prints created with sublimation ink are highly durable and long-lasting.The dye forms a permanent bond with the substrate, making the prints resistant to fading, cracking, and peeling.This durability makes them ideal for applications that require frequent washing or exposure to outdoor elements.
Eco-Friendly and Cost-Effective
Sublimation ink is typically water-based and produces minimal waste during the printing process.It eliminates the need for screens or plates, reducing setup costs and allowing for on-demand printing of custom designs without additional expenses.Additionally, the durability of sublimation prints reduces the need for reprinting, further enhancing cost-effectiveness.
Collectively, sublimation inks have revolutionized the printing industry by providing a superior printing solution that combines vibrant colors, high resolution, durability, versatility, and cost effectiveness.Its significance lies in its ability to meet the evolving demands of various applications while providing unmatched quality and performance.
YIQIA DIGITAL has a global presence in many countries, including emerging and mature markets. We have a well-established sales system and are committed to helping our customers improve their digital printing business with our expertise and first-class service.
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Let’s compare DTF (Direct to Film) ink and Sublimation ink based on different characteristics:
Ingredient:
DTF (Direct to Film) ink is a type of pigment ink.
Pigment inks are made up of tiny solid particles, known as pigments, suspended in a liquid carrier. These pigments provide the color in the ink. Pigment inks are known for their excellent color longevity, resistance to fading, and wide color gamut.
Dye-sublimation ink is a dye-based ink that contains water-soluble dyes.
These dyes are dispersed in a liquid carrier, and they penetrate the surface of the transfer paper during printing. When exposed to heat and pressure during the sublimation process, the dyes turn into a gas and bond with the polyester fibers in the substrate (e.g., polyester fabric or polymer-coated materials). This results in a permanent and vibrant print with excellent color saturation and durability.
Can you use other ink for sublimation/DTF printing?
No. Each of these printing methods requires specific types of ink that are formulated to work with their respective processes and materials.
It’s essential to use the correct ink for each printing method to ensure high-quality and long-lasting prints. Using the wrong ink can lead to poor color results, lack of adhesion, and potentially damage the printer.
Always check the printer manufacturer’s recommendations and use inks specifically designed for the printing process you are using, whether it’s sublimation or DTF printing.
YIQIA DIGITAL has a global presence in many countries, including emerging and mature markets. We have a well-established sales system and are committed to helping our customers improve their digital printing business with our expertise and first-class service.
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In the world of printing, there are various techniques available to bring designs to life on fabric. Two popular methods are DTF (Direct-to-Film) Printing and Sublimation Printing.
This article examines the advantages and disadvantages of DTF printing and sublimation printing, along with their production scales and application scenarios. Its purpose is to assist newcomers to the printing industry in making an informed decision that best suits their needs.
What is DTF Printing?
DTF printing involves transferring ink directly onto a special film, which is then applied to the fabric using a heat press.
DTF Printing Advantages
Vibrant and high-resolution prints with excellent color saturation, resulting in visually appealing designs.
Greater design flexibility, allowing for intricate details and complex artwork.
Suitable for a wide range of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and blends.
DTF Printing Disadvantages
May not be as durable as other printing methods, potentially leading to fading or cracking over time (Avoid such problems by using high-quality DTF consumables).
DTF Printing Application
DTF printing is well-suited for various applications, including fashion apparel, accessories, and home textiles. It provides a great solution for printing complex designs on garments, ensuring high-quality and visually striking results.
DTF printing is suitable for both small-scale and large-scale operations. It offers a cost-effective solution for small businesses or individuals looking to produce custom designs on demand.
What is Sublimation Printing?
Sublimation printing is a method of printing that transfers a design into a material or fabric using ink and heat. The dye penetrates the fabric, resulting in long-lasting and vibrant prints. Many garment factories as well as personalization manufacturers are using sublimation printing.
Sublimation Printing Advantages
Excellent color permanence and durability, making it suitable for frequent washing or outdoor exposure.
Allows for all-over printing, covering the entire fabric seamlessly.
Commonly used for sportswear, custom apparel, and promotional items.
Sublimation Printing Disadvantages
Not all fabrics create perfect results when it comes to sublimation printing. Limited to synthetic fabrics such as polyester, as the dye requires a polymer base to bond effectively.
Sublimation Printing Application
Sublimation printing, with its durability and vibrant color output, is commonly used in the production of sportswear, jerseys, custom apparel, promotional items, and personalized gifts.
Often more suitable for large-scale production due to its efficiency and ability to print multiple designs simultaneously.
Key Considerations when Purchasing DTF & Sublimation Printer
Ensure compatibility with the specific printing technique.
Look for a reliable printer supplier or printer that meets print quality, speed, and versatility requirements.
Consider the ink system and color management capabilities of the printer to achieve accurate and consistent color reproduction.
Factor in the cost of consumables, maintenance requirements, and technical support provided by the manufacturer.
In conclusion, both DTF Printing and Sublimation Printing have their unique advantages and disadvantages. The choice between these techniques depends on the specific requirements of your project, production scale, and desired application. By considering the key points mentioned and conducting thorough research, you can make an informed decision and achieve high-quality printing results.
YIQIA DIGITAL has a global presence in many countries, including emerging and mature markets. We have a well-established sales system and are committed to helping our customers improve their digital printing business with our expertise and first-class service.
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There are a few ways to distinguish between Direct-To-Garment Printing and Sublimation Printing:
When it comes to printing on fabrics, it’s important to consider the type of fabric being used. In most cases, Sublimation Printing is best suited for polyester fabrics, while cotton, silk, linen, and rayon fabrics require Direct-To-Garment Printing. Using reactive digital printing for paper transfer on these fabrics can be costly, so it’s generally not recommended.
In terms of ink permeability, Direct-To-Garment Printing allows for good penetration, with patterns visible on both sides of the fabric. However, Sublimation Printing products tend to only penetrate the front surface of the fabric, leaving the reverse side in its original color.
When fabrics are made into clothing, differences in stitching and color can be noticeable. Sublimation Printing can result in white stitching, which is not ideal for high-end clothing brands. Additionally, the fabric can be darker on one side and lighter on the other, making it unsuitable for items like scarves.
Finally, there are differences in fabric feel and dye appearance between Direct-To-Garment Printing and Sublimation Printing. Direct-To-Garment Printing fabric requires washing and finishing, whereas Sublimation Printing is complete after the transfer process.
Overall, choosing between Sublimation Printing and Direct-To-Garment Printing depends on the fabric type and desired outcome. Thermal transfer is best for surface coloring, while direct digital printing allows for coloring through the bottom.
YIQIA DIGITAL has a global presence in many countries, including emerging and mature markets. We have a well-established sales system and are committed to helping our customers improve their sublimation printing business with our expertise and first-class service.
Issues and Solutions Frequently Encountered by Clothing Manufacturers When Using Sublimation Ink:
Issues
Color Instability: Printed patterns have inconsistent colors or color distortions.
Poor Ink Penetration: Ink will seep through the back of the fabric, causing unclear or blurry patterns.
Insufficient Durability: After multiple washes, the pattern begins to fade or fall off.
Poor Ink Drying: Long drying time of ink leads to slower production speed.
Solutions
Choose high-quality sublimation ink to ensure color stability and accuracy. Additionally, color correction technology can be used to adjust color.
Select suitable ink and nozzle to ensure good ink penetration. Before printing, test the ink penetration to make timely adjustments.
Usehigh-quality sublimation ink and post-processing techniques such as heat transfer or heat compression to enhance pattern durability.
Choose fast-drying sublimation ink to shorten drying time and improve production efficiency. Additionally, the use of heating equipment can help dry the ink.
YIQIA DIGITAL has a global presence in many countries, including emerging and mature markets. We have a well-established sales system and are committed to helping our customers improve their sublimation printing business with our expertise and first-class service.
La impresión por sublimación es una técnica avanzada de impresión que se ha vuelto popular, especialmente en la industria textil. Es una forma común de imprimir imágenes y diseños en ropa, especialmente camisetas. Si alguna vez ha operado una de estas máquinas, probablemente esté de acuerdo con el hecho de que la tinta de sublimación es el costo principal de ejecutar una impresora de sublimación. Por lo tanto, aquí hay 4 consejos para ayudarlo a ahorrar dinero reduciendo la cantidad de tinta de sublimación que utiliza en el proceso.
Consejo 1: Haga mantenimiento rutinario de la impresora
Si desea ahorrar a largo plazo, entonces deberá incurrir en algunos costos a corto plazo para mantener su máquina de impresión por sublimación de manera regular. Esto asegurará que su impresora de impresión por sublimación industrial funcione al máximo y consuma solo la tinta de sublimación necesaria durante el proceso de impresión por sublimación.
Consejo 2: No apague su impresora
Después de imprimir su primer lote de imágenes y desea imprimir un segundo lote en una camiseta u otro artículo, no apague su impresora porque volverla a encender solo causará un desperdicio de tinta. Sin embargo, si detiene la producción por un largo período durante el día, entonces, por supuesto, apáguela.
Consejo 3: Invierta en papel de sublimación de buena calidad
El papel de sublimación de mala calidad absorbe una gran cantidad de tinta de sublimación. Por lo tanto, una forma de ahorrar tinta de sublimación en el proceso de impresión es mejorar el papel de transferencia de baja calidad a papel de transferencia de alta calidad, que puede ahorrar eficazmente tinta mientras mejora las tasas de transferencia.
Consejo 4: Verifique la configuración del controlador de la impresora y el software
Si bien la mayoría de las impresoras de sublimación tienen configuraciones óptimas en sus controladores y software para utilizar solo la cantidad óptima de tinta para producir una imagen o diseño de alta calidad. Sin embargo, esta configuración se puede cambiar a un modo de ahorro de tinta que ahorra tinta mientras imprime imágenes de calidad superior.
Si está buscando una empresa de impresión digital confiable y de alta calidad, no busque más allá de YIQIA DIGITAL. Con nuestra experiencia y conocimiento en impresión digital, podemos ayudarlo a llevar su negocio al siguiente nivel. Ya sea que necesite impresoras, tintas, papel o servicios de asesoramiento, estamos aquí para ayudarlo.
Si desea obtener más información, haga clic en la información de contacto a continuación, YIQIA DIGITAL está a su servicio.
Dye sublimation printing is a popular printing method that involves transferring dye onto fabric using heat. This printing technique uses sublimation ink that transforms into gas when heated and then bonds with the fabric. The result is a vibrant and long-lasting print that won’t fade or crack over time. However, not all fabrics are created equal when it comes to dye sublimation printing. In this article, we’ll explore the best fabrics for dye sublimation printing.
1. Polyester
Polyester is the most popular fabric for dye sublimation printing. It’s a synthetic fabric that’s easy to dye and offers excellent color vibrancy. Polyester is also durable and resistant to wrinkles, making it an ideal choice for apparel and home decor. It’s worth noting that the higher the polyester content, the better the results will be.
Polyester is the most popular fabric for dye sublimation printing.
2. Nylon
Nylon is another synthetic fabric that’s suitable for dye sublimation printing. It’s lightweight, durable, and has a smooth texture that makes it ideal for printing intricate designs. Nylon is often used for flags, banners, and sportswear due to its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.
Nylon is another synthetic fabric that’s suitable for dye sublimation printing.
3. Spandex
Spandex is a synthetic fabric that’s often used in activewear due to its stretchy nature. And the ability to retain its shape after washing. It’s also suitable for dye sublimation printing as it offers excellent color vibrancy and is resistant to fading. However, it’s important to note that spandex should only be printed on with a low-temperature heat press to prevent damage to the fabric.
Spandex is a synthetic fabric that’s often used in activewear due to its stretchy nature.
4. Blends
Blended fabrics, such as cotton-polyester blends, can also be used for dye sublimation printing. These fabrics offer the natural feel of cotton with the durability and color vibrancy of polyester. However, it’s important to note that the results may not be as vibrant as with 100% polyester fabric.
Blended fabrics, such as cotton-polyester blends, can also be used for dye sublimation printing.
Advantages of using these fabrics for dye sublimation printing:
– Excellent color vibrancy: These fabrics offer vibrant and long-lasting prints that won’t fade or crack over time.
– Durability: Polyester, nylon, and spandex are all durable fabrics that can withstand frequent washing and wear.
– Resistance to wrinkles: Polyester is resistant to wrinkles, making it an ideal choice for apparel and home decor.
– Smooth texture: Nylon and spandex have a smooth texture that’s ideal for printing intricate designs.
– Stretchy nature: Spandex is stretchy, making it ideal for activewear and sports apparel.
Additionally, it’s important to note that not all fabrics are suitable for dye sublimation printing. Natural fabrics, such as cotton and silk, don’t work well with this printing technique as the dye won’t bond properly with the fabric. It’s also worth noting that the quality of the ink and heat press used can impact the final result. Using high-quality ink & paper and a properly calibrated heat press is essential for achieving the best results.
In summary, polyester, nylon, spandex, and blended fabrics are the best fabrics for dye sublimation printing. These fabrics offer excellent color vibrancy, durability, resistance to wrinkles, smooth texture, and stretchy nature. It’s important to consider the intended use of the final product and the desired level of color vibrancy when choosing fabric for dye sublimation printing. By choosing the suitable fabric and sublimation material, you can ensure that your dye sublimation printing project will result in a high-quality, long-lasting print.
YIQIA DIGITAL has a global presence in many countries, including emerging and mature markets. We have a well-established sales system and are committed to helping our customers improve their digital printing business with our expertise and first-class service.
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Sublimation ink is a special type of ink used in the process of sublimation printing. It is a popular choice for printing on a range of materials, including textiles, ceramics, and plastics. However, like any other type of ink, sublimation ink can sometimes present problems that can affect the quality of the printed output.
1. One of the most common problems with sublimation ink is clogging.
This occurs when the ink nozzles become blocked with dried ink particles, preventing the ink from flowing properly. Clogging can be caused by various factors, including improper storage of the ink, using low-quality ink or printing on low-quality materials, not using the printer regularly, or using the wrong type of paper.
sublimation ink clogging
2. Another issue with sublimation ink is color accuracy.
The ink is designed to produce vibrant and accurate colors, but this can be affected by a range of factors. For example, if the printer settings are not adjusted correctly, the colors may appear faded or washed out. Similarly, if the ink is incompatible with the substrate being printed on, the colors may not transfer properly, resulting in a poor-quality finished product.
Sublimation ink color deviation
3. In addition to clogging and color accuracy issues, sublimation ink can also present problems with durability.
If the ink is not properly cured or heat-set, the colors may fade or wash out over time, especially when exposed to sunlight or other environmental factors. This can be avoided by ensuring that the ink is properly cured or heat-set according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Sublimation ink durability
4. Finally, sublimation ink can sometimes present problems with compatibility.
Not all printers are compatible with sublimation ink, so it’s important to check that your printer is compatible before using this type of ink. Similarly, not all substrates are suitable for sublimation printing, so it’s important to choose the right substrate for your project.
choose high-quality sublimation products
To avoid these problems with sublimation ink, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use high-quality ink and materials. Regular maintenance and cleaning of your printer can also help to prevent clogging and ensure that the ink is flowing properly. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your sublimation printing produces high-quality and durable results.
In conclusion, sublimation ink is a powerful tool for creating vibrant and accurate prints on a range of materials. However, it can present various problems that can affect the quality and durability of the finished product. By understanding these issues and taking steps to avoid them, you can ensure that your sublimation printing produces outstanding results every time. With the right approach, sublimation ink can be a reliable and effective way to bring your designs to life on a wide range of substrates.
YIQIA DIGITAL has a global presence in many countries, including emerging and mature markets. We have a well-established sales system and are committed to helping our customers improve their digital printing business with our expertise and first-class service.
If you want to know more, please click the contact information below, YIQIA DIGITAL is at your service.
Sublimation printing is an advanced printing technique that has become popular, especially in the apparel industry. It is a common way to print images and designs on apparel, especially T-shirts. If you’ve ever operated one of these machines, you’ll probably agree with the fact that sublimation ink is the main cost of running a sublimation printer. So here are 4 tips to help you save some money by reducing the amount of heat sublimation ink you use in the process.
Tip 1 Do routine printer maintenance
If you want to save in the long term, then you will have to incur some short-term costs to maintain your sublimation printing machine on a regular basis. This will ensure that your industrial sublimation printing printer performs at its best and consumes only the necessary sublimation ink during the sublimation printing process.
Tip 2 Do not turn off your printer
After you have printed your first batch of images and want to print a second batch on a T-shirt or other item, do not turn off your printer because turning it on again will only cause a waste of ink. However, if you stop production for a long time during the day, then of course turn it off.
Tip 3 Invest in good quality sublimation paper
Poor-quality sublimation paper absorbs a large amount of sublimation ink. Therefore, one way to save sublimation ink in the printing process is to upgrade poor-quality transfer paper to high-quality transfer paper, which can effectively save ink while improving transfer rates.
Tip 4 Check the printer driver settings and software
While most sublimation printers have optimal settings on their drivers and software for using only the optimum amount of ink to produce a high-quality image or design. However, this setting can be changed to an ink-saving mode that saves ink while printing superior-quality images.
YIQIA DIGITAL has a global presence in many countries, including emerging and mature markets. We have a well-established sales system and are committed to helping our customers improve their digital printing business with our expertise and first-class service.
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2023 DPES SIGN EXPO CHINA will be held at Guangzhou Poly World Trade Expo, covering a wide range of digital printing industry chain solutions, providing a one-stop sourcing platform for digital printing and helping many companies and production lines around the world to resume their business.
Range of Exhibits
Key brands will come together to showcase the latest innovations and product launches across textile printing, direct-to-garment printing, inkjet printing, screen printing consumables, and much more.
Well-known Exhibitors
Hundreds of companies will bring their latest equipment to the show, with many models making their world debut, and many digital printing devices will be on hand to showcase the brilliant colors, clear and realistic, high-speed and stable digital printing technology.
Is sublimation printing better than the screen?
When done correctly, both printing methods can produce long-lasting prints that will not fade or crack, even after extended washing.
Both printing methods have their own advantages, so here are some key factors to consider when choosing between dye sublimation and screen printing:
Size of the Order
For smaller orders, sublimation printing may be a better choice. Conversely, the larger order, the more cost-effective screen printing becomes. Most printers will also have a minimum order quantity for their screen printing services.
Simple and fast to produce, sublimation printing allows on-demand printing, reducing risk and waste.
Color Limitations
When more than one color is involved, screen printing can take longer to set up and be more costly.
The sublimation printing process allows all colors to be printed at once and designs can be customized more easily.
Sublimation printing is not limited by color
Choice of Materials
Screen printing is the most versatile and you can print on any material.
For dye sublimation, it is usually applied to polyester or polyester mixed materials.
Sublimation printing can not be used for 100% Cotton
Sublimation paper is one of the important consumables for sublimation printing. The quality of sublimation paper largely determines the quality of printed patterns.
The quality of sublimation paper can be judged from the following aspects:
1. Transfer rate
The transfer rate is the most basic and important performance of sublimation paper. The transfer rate mainly reflects the sublimation of sublimation ink after transferring. A high transfer rate means that most of the sublimation ink is effectively sublimated. There is no uniform test method for the transfer rate, most companies check the transfer rate by setting uniform transfer conditions and measuring the color comparison on the transfer paper before and after the transfer.
2. See-through situation
The see-through phenomenon of sublimation transfer paper refers to the phenomenon that ink penetrates into the base paper through the coating. In most cases, the phenomenon of see-through is obvious, and the transfer rate of sublimation paper will decrease, resulting in a poor transfer effect.
At present, the penetration of sublimation transfer paper mainly depends on the naked eye observation, and there is no standardized detection method to digitally reflect it.
3. Drying Speed
Drying speed refers to the drying time of sublimation paper after printing. Fast drying speed not only allows continuous printing and accelerates production efficiency, but also reduces printing quality problems caused by undried ink.
There is no standard test method for drying rate, currently, the method of surface hygrometer is usually used for testing and calculation.
4. Warpage
The warpage phenomenon is caused by the inconsistent stretching rate between the coating surface and the original paper surface, which can result in inconvenient paper feeding during printing, wrinkles after printing, and misalignment of transfer patterns, affecting the normal production schedule. High-quality sublimation transfer paper generally has a certain degree of warp resistance, reducing the adverse effects of warp on printing.
5. Paper Flatness
The flatness of the paper surface directly affects printing production. The poor flatness of the sublimation paper in the printing easily with the ink jet head friction, not only affects the printing quality but also easy to damages the nozzle, so that the equipment life is shortened.
Sublimation paper is one of the important consumables for sublimation printing. Sublimation printing is the use of inkjet printers equipped with sublimation ink to print on sublimation paper and then heated to about 200 ℃ by a heat press machine, so that the sublimation of the ink on the sublimation paper penetrates into the substrate, thereby transferring the color image on the paper realistically to fabrics, metals and other materials of a process.
Sublimation paper often has warped paper edges during use, which has a tremendous negative impact on digital printing. Warpage of sublimation paper can cause paper feeding difficulties during printing, which can lead to paper jams and scratching of the print head.
Scratch the printhead will appear blurred patterns, ink buildup, and other situations, affecting the printing effect. Also has a very negative impact on the printing equipment, and may cause damage to the printhead, printer life reduced, and other serious consequences. At the same time, warped sublimation paper also has the problem of winding difficulties.
So why does sublimation paper appear warped?
The warping of sublimation paper is mainly due to the different absorption of water in the air on the coated and uncoated sides of the sublimation paper, resulting in inconsistent telescoping on both sides.
The uncoated side of the sublimation paper is more likely to absorb moisture, making the paper stretch inconsistently. High-quality sublimation paper is coated on the back side of the paper as well in order to reduce the warping problem of sublimation paper.
Maybe you are also interested in this article: How to Improve the Quality of Sublimation Printing?
The factors affecting sublimation printing can be divided into the following four categories. By optimizing these factors, it is beneficial for us to obtain higher-quality finished sublimation printing.
1. Sublimation Ink
Sublimation ink is the key to sublimation printing, mainly composed of dispersed dyes, connecting materials, solvents, and several additives. High-quality ink dyes should have good sublimation transferability and permeability, and achieve specific fastness indicators, with a molecular weight of 230 to 380 and a sublimation temperature of 180°C to 240°C. The characteristics of high-quality ink include a high transfer rate, excellent stability, ink saving, power saving, etc.
2. Temperature & Time Control
Sublimation printing requires the temperature to be controlled within 180℃～230℃, and the transfer time is about 10～30S. The transfer temperature is too low, the time is too short, and the ink can not be completely sublimated, which will affect product quality. If the temperature is too high and the time is too long, the softness of the fabric will be reduced and the hand feel will be affected. In the sublimation transfer process, pay attention to the reasonable combination of temperature and time.
3. Transfer Pressure
The transfer pressure is also one of the important parameters of the sublimation printing process.
If the pressure is too small, the gap between the fabric and the transfer paper is large, the ink gas molecules and a large number of air collisions resulting in poor printing, while the ink is also easy to bleed open so that the printing pattern blurred, the visual effect becomes poor.
If the pressure is appropriate and the gap between the fabric and sublimation paper is suitable, the transfer coloring effect is good. The pattern is clear and the lines are smooth and fine.
If the pressure is too high, problems such as deformation, linting, and fabric deformation will easily occur, resulting in disadvantages such as coarse and hard hand feeling and coloring surface. Therefore, it is crucial to control the transfer pressure for the visual effect of the printed pattern.
4. Other
In addition to temperature, time, and transfer pressure, which affect the quality of sublimation printing, there are some other factors that deserve our attention in the actual printing process.
First of all, when choosing sublimation printing consumables, suppliers with stable quality and a high reputation are the first choice for enterprises.
Second, be aware that the pattern on the sublimation paper and the color after the transfer will have some differences, sublimation ink before the transfer generally looks dark and lusterless, relying on the high temperature of about 200 ℃ to restore the color, so it is necessary to proof before mass production.
Finally, the transfer should ensure that the heat press surface, sublimation paper, and substrate surface closely adhere to each other and that there is no gap, otherwise the printing pattern may appear blurred.
Maybe you are also interested in this article: How to Choose Correct Sublimation Paperweight?
Sublimation paper is a common consumable used in sublimation printing, where the ink is sublimated onto the fabric by high temperature. This allows the ink to bind to the fibers of the fabric and you can barely feel the image on the fabric.
Many customers can’t tell which side to choose for printing with their eyes. How to determine the printable side of sublimation paper?
First of all, we must understand an important characteristic of sublimation paper, that is, the difference between sublimation paper and other printing papers is that sublimation paper has a special coating on its surface, which is an important reference factor used to distinguish the front side from the backside. The coated side is the side on which we need to print the image, which is often referred to as the front side.
This important feature can be used to distinguish between the front and back of the sublimation paper. Here are a few ways to share it with you:
1. Hand feel method
A common technique for novices is to wet your thumb and forefinger and pinch the corner of the paper, the coated front side will be stickier. After touching it you will be able to easily determine the printing side.
2. Surface of the sublimation paper
Carefully observe the surface of the paper, one side is smooth, and the other is relatively rough. In general, the front side with the added coating will be smoother, which is the printing side.
YIQIA DIGITAL has a global presence in many countries, including emerging and mature markets. We have a well-established sales system and are committed to helping our customers improve their digital printing business with our expertise and first-class service.
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There are many ways to print images on fabric, sublimation printing and DTF are two of the most common methods used in garment printing. While both methods can provide high-quality printing effects, each has advantages and disadvantages, and an important difference is how long the printed image lasts. Does DTF printing last longer than sublimation printing?
Below is a comparison to help you determine which printing method is better for your production.
What is Sublimation Printing?
In sublimation printing, the ink goes directly from a solid state to a gas. This allows the ink to bind to the fibers of the fabric and you can barely feel the image on the shirt. The material’s texture remains unchanged. The image is printed on sublimation paper and then transferred from the paper to the fabric.
What is DTF Printing?
Direct-to-film printing (DTF) on a particular film, is then transferred to the chosen fabric or leather using a heat press. After the fabric dries, you can feel the print on the fabric by touching it with your hand. It is smooth to the touch though. But the texture is different from the ordinary, unprinted fabric.
How long do images last?
Sublimation images last longer under normal conditions. The life of a DTF print may exceed that of a sublimated image under certain circumstances. By “last longer” means that the image remains vibrant and does not fade, peel or crack. There are many factors that can affect the duration of the image on the fabric.
Factors Affecting Image Durability
The duration of an image on a shirt or other fabric depends on the following factors:
Printing process. Images from different printing techniques differ in terms of retention time, as the ink bonds perfectly to the fabric, and sublimation printing usually lasts longer than DTF.
Quality of the printing ink. Ink quality makes a big difference. The higher quality of the ink used in any printing method, the better image will print and the longer it will last.
Quality of the printer. The quality of the printer affects the life of the printed image. High-speed printers are designed to produce large quantities of garments quickly, with a corresponding drop in quality. Before choosing a printer, you need to take into account your production goals.
Type of fabric. Sublimation printing performs best on polyester or blends with at least 2/3 polyester content. there are virtually no fabric limitations to DTF printing. DTF patterns on cotton may fade more quickly than sublimation patterns on polyester because polyester and other synthetic materials resist fading longer than cotton.
Choose the most suitable printing method for your production goals.
If your goal is to produce a large number of different styles of printed garments, with DTF printing may be best for you. If your goal is to produce realistic, high-definition printed images, sublimation printing is your best option. When it comes to printing lasting images, your printing ink and equipment are the most important factors.
YIQIA DIGITAL Has Everything You Need for Apparel Printing
Whether you decide on sublimation printing or DTF, YIQIA DIGITAL has the supplies you need, from ink to sublimation paper and dtf film. Contact us now or browse our products at yiqiadigital.com.
Maybe you are also interested in this article: What is Sublimation Paper & Why it’s Important?
As one of the sublimation printing core printers, the printing speed is currently divided into three categories: low-speed, medium-speed, and high-speed printer.
The low-speed and medium-speed machine is actually not a particularly obvious definition, generally, a full-width print speed of less than 1 m / min printer is classified as a low-speed printer; print speed in 1 to 10m / min is classified as a medium-speed printer; print speed higher than 10m / min classified as a high-speed printer.
1. Low-speed printer demand for sublimation paper
Low-speed printers such as Mimaki JV33, and Mutoh 1604, have higher printing accuracy, and the printer is generally equipped with a platen wheel. When printing at high inkjet volumes, the paper becomes distorted after absorbing ink due to the long residence time of the paper in the active area of the printhead, and because of the pressure wheel on the paper, the paper deformation will produce a significant arch, easy to rub to the printhead and destroy the print pattern. Therefore, for this type of printer, the paper requires high ink loading of sublimation paper coating.
2. Medium-speed printer demand for sublimation paper
Medium-speed printers similar to MS-JP4, MS-JP7, MICOLOR 5816, and so on, such machines relative to the low-speed machine, printing speed several times higher, generally do not have a pressure wheel, completely rely on the roller tension to adjust the paper running, printing speed significantly faster, although the drying interval has been lengthened, relative to the speed of the increase is obviously not enough, so the paper drying speed requirements are higher.
3. High-speed printer demand for sublimation paper
High-speed printers are currently mainly multi-head printers, such as the often said 4-Pass or 8-Pass sublimation printer, the most obvious feature of such printers is the printhead into multiple rows of fixed, very fast printing speed can reach 30 ~ 80m/min, such printers on the paper requirements are mainly manifested as follows.
A. Good flatness: most of the paper after the coating has been baked at high temperatures after the phenomenon of paper warping, commonly known in the industry as paper “poor resistance to bending”. The high-speed printer baking channel is long, and the paper in the oven’s high-temperature baking time is relatively long, so the paper must have a good flatness after baking at high temperatures.
B. Fast drying speed: Although the high-speed printer drying channel has been lengthened, due to the paper running faster, by the heat source, plant, and other restrictions, but also needs the paper itself with fast drying characteristics.
C. Low-gram sublimation paper: Due to the fast printing speed of the printer, low-gram sublimation paper is more conducive to large-roll printing and high-speed printing, while also significantly reducing production costs.
Maybe you are also interested in this article: How to Choose Correct Sublimation Paperweight?
YIQIA DIGITAL has a global presence in many countries, including emerging and mature markets. We have a well-established sales system and are committed to helping our customers improve their digital printing business with our expertise and first-class service.
If you want to know more, please click the contact information below, YIQIA DIGITAL is at your service.
CONTACT
WhatsApp: +86 13909049794
Wechat: +86 13815887545
E-mail: hale@yiqiadigital.com
Product page: yiqiadigital.com/sublimation-transfer-paper
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The thickness of low-weight sublimation paper is thin, so there are some differences in paper performance with high-weight sublimation paper, the following are some common problems and solutions in the use of low-weight sublimation paper:
Common problems:
A. Poor printing effect, the pattern has subtle cracking and other problems.
B. There is a color difference between the print pattern and the design pattern.
C. The paper wrinkles during printing due to excessive inkjet volume.
D. Printer is making indents on sublimation paper.
Difference between before and after sublimation paper transfer.
Solutions:
A. Control the humidity of the printing environment, not higher than 80% is appropriate.
B. Since the transfer rate of low-gram weight sublimation paper and high-gram weight sublimation paper are slightly different, for transfer objects with high color requirements, low-gram weight sublimation paper should be targeted to do ICC curves before printing to adjust the color performance.
C. Low-gram weight sublimation paper because the paper stiffness is worse than high-gram weight sublimation paper, not recommended to use high inkjet volume printing. Recommended inkjet volume of 250% or less, of course, low-gram weight sublimation paper whether to print wrinkles and patterns also exist quite a large relationship, low-gram weight sublimation paper bearing inkjet volume of the upper value of 25ml/㎡ is appropriate.
D. Some printers will leave the impression of the platen roller when the platen roller presses over the paper surface. If it will affect the transfer effect, please adjust (reduce) the pressure of the platen roller to avoid causing the paper surface to be embossed.
Maybe you are also interested in this article: Low-gram Weight Sublimation Paper: Problems and Solutions 1
YIQIA DIGITAL has a global presence in many countries, including emerging and mature markets. We have a well-established sales system and are committed to helping our customers improve their digital printing business with our expertise and first-class service.
If you want to know more, please click the contact information below, YIQIA DIGITAL is at your service.
CONTACT:
WhatsApp: +86 13909049794
Wechat: +86 13815887545
E-mail: hale@yiqiadigital.com
Product page: yiqiadigital.com/sublimation-transfer-paper
Facebook: facebook.com/YIQIADIGITAL
Instagram: instagram.com/yiqiadigital
The thickness of low-weight sublimation paper is thin, so there are some differences in paper performance with high-weight sublimation paper, the following are some common problems and solutions in the use of low-weight sublimation paper.
Several causes of wrinkling problems:
A. Place the low-gram sublimation paper in an environment with relatively high humidity.
B. Too much tension on the printer unwinding reel and reeling in.
Solutions:
A. Control the humidity of the printing environment not to be higher than 80%.
B. If there is no condition to control the environmental humidity, it is recommended to control the unsealing time of the sublimation paper, as far as possible before printing, and print as soon as possible after unsealing.
C. If the whole roll is not printed out, it is recommended to use the winding film to wrap to prevent moisture (set the original plastic bag sealed can also be).
D. Adjust the printer unwinding and winding tension.
YIQIA DIGITAL has a global presence in many countries, including emerging and mature markets. We have a well-established sales system and are committed to helping our customers improve their digital printing business with our expertise and first-class service.
If you want to know more, please click the contact information below, YIQIA DIGITAL is at your service.
CONTACT:
WhatsApp: +86 13909049794
Wechat: +86 13815887545
E-mail: hale@yiqiadigital.com
Product page: yiqiadigital.com/sublimation-transfer-paper
Facebook: facebook.com/YIQIADIGITAL
Instagram: instagram.com/yiqiadigital
There are types of sublimation paper such as quick-drying paper and sticky paper, as well as a variety of grammage.
To maximize production efficiency, companies need to choose the most suitable sublimation paper for themselves, and four factors should be considered when choosing: Ink loading, patterns (soft or hard substrates), web tension control, and printing speed.
1. Ink Loading Capacity
This is the most basic and important factor. The higher the ink load, the heavier the paper should be in order to accept the moisture of the ink smoothly and without curling and distortion.
2. Difficulty of Printing Patterns
Complex patterns are suitable for heavier papers.
What is a complex pattern? Complex patterns have the following characteristics: asymmetrical, alternating dot or bar patterns. Complex patterns pose a challenge to the stability of the paper because it has a mix of heavy and light ink inputs, with large local differences in the amount of ink absorbed. At the junction of low and high ink levels, sublimation paper tends to curl and shift, and the best solution is to use a high grammage paper.
3. Roll or Sheet?
Generally speaking, sublimation paper roll are suitable for mass production and sheets are suitable for small scale as well as for your own DIY.
4. Printing Speed Low-weight paper is suitable for fast printing, and high-weight paper is suitable for pursuing high-quality printing results.
5. Fabric
To give two examples, there is also a difference in the gram weight and type used for different fabrics.
The fabric of sportswear is mainly polyester, and generally uses high-weight sticky sublimation paper, which prevents ghosting and deformation.
Curtain fabric to nylon, man-made fibers, most of them is large area pattern printing, the use of low-gram sublimation paper more economical.
When buying sublimation ink, there are a few things to consider before investing. Doing so will ensure that you are making a wise investment and getting the most out of it.
Keep the following tips in mind.
1. Confirm Printhead Model
A kind of sublimation ink can not meet all the printer models, make sure to check that your printhead is compatible before purchasing ink.
2. Purity of Ink Color
Black sublimation ink is most prone to color deviation, you can judge the merits of sublimation ink by the color of the transfer, poor quality black ink will be somewhat red and purple, this is one of the important indicators of direct distinction.
3. Color Reproduction Rate
Sublimation ink is mainly through the thermal sublimation characteristics of the image transferred to the product, so the color reproduction rate is one of the very important factors.
The higher the color reproduction rate, the higher the color saturation of the pattern transferred to the product.
4. Reputation of Supplier
When buying sublimation ink, make sure that you are buying it from a reputable supplier. This will ensure that you get a high-quality product as well as a good after-sales service.
When you need to purchase sublimation ink quickly and without any worry, shop at yiqiadigital.com. This is one of the best ways to get the high-quality ink you need, you may even find these products more affordable than you think.
Sublimation printing consists of a sublimation printer, sublimation ink, and sublimation paper. These three key elements determine the quality of the print.
Many customers do not know how to test sublimation paper samples and judge the quality. Here is the advice from our production technical experts.
How to test？
1. Test Reports
Check the test report provided by the sublimation paper supplier, which contains many important test indicators, and these data have certain reference significance.
2. Check the appearance of the paper first when you receive the sample.
A. Smoothness
Smoothness can be easily identified by looking at the surface of the sublimation paper roll. Good quality sublimation paper with a very smooth printing surface. Because if the surface of the paper is too rough (sometimes you could see small particles on the surface in bad paper), it will scratch the print head and cause great damage to it, in addition to affecting the quality of the printed pattern. Our sublimation coating is made of nano-materials to ensure the best smoothness of the paper.
B. Impurity
Check if there are many white dots on the paper. When you are transferring pure color, the white dots will influence the transfer result seriously.
3. Test the paper with your sublimation printer
A. Drying Speed
Drying time can be tested by printing.
Fast dry paper not only saves time and increases your productivity, but also reduces print quality problems caused by undried ink.
B. Transfer Rate
This is the most important indicator. Transfer rate refers to how much ink the paper can deliver to the fabric during the transfer process, this can be determined by comparing the color of the printed pattern.
C.Warpage
The warpage phenomenon is caused by the inconsistency of the stretch rate of the coating surface and the base paper surface, resulting in inconvenient printer feeding, folds after printing, misaligned transfer patterns, etc., which affects production speed. Warpage when printing? This is a sign of inferior quality transfer paper.
D. Printer Setting
When your first test the paper and the result doesn’t come very ideal, you’d better adjust your printing and transfer setting based on the sample.
Sublimation paper is made using a normal paper substrate, a special coating added to the paper holds the dye sublimation inks. It is divided into many gram weights, which are calculated based on the weight of the paper after drying.
Customers often pay more attention to the choice of sublimation ink when using sublimation printing, but ignore the impact of sublimation paper on printing quality.
In fact, sublimation paper plays a key role in the final output quality of your sublimation product.
Look at the pictures below. These are the different effects of printing on five different brands of sublimation paper, at the same time and temperature.
Source:heyletsmakestuff
By now you should understand why it is important to say that sublimation paper is important for excellent sublimation printing results.
Sublimation paper is the medium that transfers the ink to the sublimation product. Imagine if it is a poor sublimation paper, it will only transfer 50% of the sublimation ink to the sublimation product, which will waste another 50% of the sublimation ink while printing poorly. From a long-term business perspective, this is a very unprofitable investment.
To save the cost of sublimation transfer printing, we have three types of quality sublimation papers for your transfer printing business:
Fast dry sublimation transfer paper promotes sublimation transfer to a brand new level of vivid color and reduces ink load. High transfer rate, strong anti-batch, and high-cost performance.
Sticky sublimation paper can effectively solve the ghosting, deformation, and other problems caused by the displacement of the fabric and transfer paper.
Jumbo roll sublimation transfer paper is designed for high-speed production. Therefore the transfer rate will be high, which means you can obtain perfect quality at the lowest use cost.
Have you heard of sublimation printing? The best-designed graphic apparel, home furnishing, and advertising displays use the dye sublimation process to achieve vibrant, everlasting graphics.
We will explain in detail what is sublimation printing, how it works, what are its advantages and disadvantages, when to use it — and when not to. All of the information you would like to know is available right here in this article.
What Is Sublimation Printing?
So, what exactly is sublimation printing? In simple terms, it’s a method of printing that transfers a design into a material or fabric using ink and heat.
In the world of apparel, it’s a game changer because it allows for entire garment prints. In other words, designs can go seam-to-seam. Sublimation printing for custom garments can accommodate any artwork design you can imagine and make it come to life. The result is a permanent, full-color design that won’t crack, peel or wash away over time.
Many garment factories as well as personalization manufacturers are using sublimation printing.
Why Use Sublimation Printing?
Want a photo-quality print pattern with true, continuous tones that will never blur or fade? Then sublimation printing is the ideal process. Digital textile printing using YIQIA DIGITAL products creates crisp lines, and true-to-life shades, as well as making the production process more environmentally friendly and safer.
Photo Source -Shutterstock
How does sublimation printing work?
After selecting design patterns, use a sublimation printer to print them out onto the sublimation transfer paper. The design pattern is then transferred from sublimation paper to the fabric using a heat press by applying pressure. Finally, gently remove the transfer paper from the fabric (or whatever object you are using).
Sublimation printing can combine the ink and fabric perfectly, compared with other printing processes, it will not affect the beauty of the fabric due to the wear and tear of the printed pattern.
What Materials Can You Sublimation?
Rigid Substrates – Polymer-treated objects that include non-fabric items like glass, plastic, fiberglass, and aluminum.
Blank Rigid Products – Like mouse pads, phone cases, and mugs that do not have any design or printing can be purchased in bulk at wholesale prices and are perfect for personalized products.
Home Furnishing – Like pillows, blankets and curtains are a popular choice.
Signage – Flags, backlit signs, backdrops, rigid signs, table covers, tents—all these are popular sublimation applications within the sign industry.
Photograph Printing – Arguably the best way to produce the highest-quality photographic images on canvas and apparel.
Fabrics – One of the most popular items for sublimation printing. They are divided into three types:
Sportswear: Sublimation printing is used considerably for the production of t-shirts for all sports. The fabrics used are one-way and two-way stretch in a variety of weights and weaves.
Knit: Polyester products that hang & flow in their natural environment, like apparel, flags, banners, and custom-printed table covers.
Woven: More durable products such as custom tote bags, fabric backdrops, and custom tents.
What Do You Need?
In order to make this form of printing possible, there are five essential tools needed.
1. Sublimation printer
First of all, the most important item would be a sublimation printer. Popular sublimation printer brands include Mimaki, Epson, MS, and Roland.
With the sublimation printer, any spectrum color can be created and transferred onto printing paper suitable for the machine. This type of paper is referred to as sublimation paper or transfer paper. One can print a personal work of art, a customized logo, a family picture, or any design desired for use onto the paper as they do with office paper.
3. Computer & RIP Software
For sublimation printing, RIP software is an integral part, you will require specialized RIP software to handle your CMYK colors. This is because software affects the color performance, the printing characteristics of the ink, and the final print performance. It must be stressed that the software must be compatible with the type of printer used.
4. Sublimation Cutting Machine
Sublimation Printing In Roll First, Then Sublimation Laser Cutting. The use of cutting equipment can effectively improve production efficiency.
5. Heat Press
Another necessity is the heat press, which is a necessary step in the sublimation printing process and is a machine that uses heat to apply designs to various substrates.
The function of the heat press is to transfer the design from the sublimation paper to the requested material, such as mugs, sportswear, and pillows.
Like sublimation printers, heat press are available in a variety of sizes, models, and prices to meet different needs.
Sublimation ink differs from regular ink, regular ink isn’t made to be compatible with sublimation paper. Sublimation transfer ink ( dye sublimation ink), is made up of sublimation disperse dye and a carrier. The carrier includes water (or solvent, or oil), and some chemical addition ingredients.
The dispersed sublimation dye has hydrophobic and polar groups, so it has an excellent affinity for synthetic fibers, and plastics, the color is very vivid.
What’s more, it can spread to the internal fiber and plastic, so when they are transferred to the substrates, the color fastness is very good. Also, the chromatography is complete, vivid color, color fastness, and washing fastness reach more than 4-5.
What Are the Advantages of Sublimation Printing?
Simple and fast to produce, sublimation printing allows on-demand printing, reducing risk and waste.
The sublimation printing process uses 10x less energy consumption than regular dyed fabric and allows for greater customization with infinite possibilities for design.
The garments are printed with sublimation printing, the printed pattern will not crack or wear out after long-term use, the life of the pattern is as long as the life of the garment, and there is also the advantage of a good print feel and vivid colors.
This feature is important for items that are in constant use over time. Everyday items like mouse pads, mugs, and promotional banners are perfect for heat sublimation printing.
This is especially true of clothing and household items, as they can be washed regularly without fear of distortion in appearance.
Sublimation printing can do much more than just the apparel industry. There are many things that can be done in the personalization industry, such as custom phone cases, personalized keychains, creative puzzles, etc.
What Are the Disadvantages of Sublimation Printing?
Material limitation- Sublimation printing is a very effective printing process that creates the perfect effect, but there are limitations to what material it can be used with. The best fabric for sublimation is 100% polyester. Other blended materials will do but aim for a minimum of 50% polyester. Apart from polyester, other good options include nylon spandex and lycra. If you want to print on items that aren’t made from fabric, they must be poly-coated for the process to be most efficient.
Limited to light-colored – Sublimation printing does not work with natural fibers like cotton or paper unless the materials have been treated with a polymer coating beforehand. Furthermore, because sublimation printing is more like high-precision dyeing than imprinting, it works best on white or light-colored materials.
Why Choose Sublimation Printing?
The options of what can be printed on are much wider than with other more affordable printing methods, leaving more room for design.
Whether you are planning to use sublimation printing for your own designs or are looking for high-quality printed products, this article should help you find the information you need.
Difference between before and after sublimation paper transfer.
