Looking for long-lasting print products with different colours and high resolution? The best designed graphic apparel, home decor and promotional displays use a dye sublimation process to achieve vibrant and everlasting graphics.

So, what is sublimation and why is it so effective?

All the information you need to know is available in this comprehensive guide.

What is sublimation?

Although the name can make the process complicated and technical, it is actually quite simple to understand.

Definition of sublimation: when a solid material changes into a gas without passing through the liquid phase.

This means that the artwork is transferred to a gaseous object using a high temperature heat press during the sublimation printing process. This differs from traditional printing methods as it omits the liquid stage. No wet ink is applied to the printed object and it is not expected to dry.

How it works

The image is first printed on the printing paper, making the whole process of dye-sublimation printing quick and easy. Heat is then used to transfer the image from the sublimation paper to the object.

Businesses and home designers use this printing style to create graphics for clothing, as well as signage, home decor, corporate exhibits and personal items such as coasters, coffee mugs and key rings.

Dye-sublimation printing for businesses: which products can you print on?
Below is a list of profitable items that companies sublime:

Rigid substrates-Polymer-treated objects containing non-fabric objects such as glass, plastic, glass fibre and aluminium. These are products that are not flexible like fabrics.
Blank rigid products – Many of these materials are available at wholesale prices for bulk purchases, such as custom mouse pads, mobile phone cases and drinking vessels. Sometimes referred to as blanks, these are products without designs or printing to allow for personalisation.
Tags-ideal for e-commerce businesses for quick printing. Easily print on vinyl to create promotional banners and other trade show displays. If you see signs hanging in front of stores or buildings, there’s a good chance sublimation was used.
Polyester Fabrics-One of the most popular items for sublimation painting. They are divided into two types:
Polyester products that hang and flow in their natural environment, such as garments, flags, banners and custom printed covers.

More durable products, such as custom bags, fabric backdrops and custom tents.
The home decor dye sub-process is often used by companies selling to interior designers. Decorations such as ceramic floor tiles are a popular choice for bathrooms, kitchens, restaurants and more.
Photo Printing-arguably the best way to create the highest quality photo prints on canvas, magnets and clothing.

What are the advantages of sublimation printing?

Here are the advantages:

If you want the best-looking printed component, dye-sublimation is the way to go.

Using this method, the images will not crack or wear out after several uses and the visuals will last as long as needed.

This is very important for items that will be in constant use over time. Everyday items such as mouse pads, kitchen utensils and custom printed shirts can benefit from this type of printing. This is especially true for clothing and bed linen, as they can be washed regularly without fear of distorting their appearance.

Printable fabrics

If sublimation is required on polyester or polymer-coated items, silk-screen printing can be applied to anything as long as the surface is flat. Although it opens the door to more fabrics, such as cotton, screen printing is not usually done on more rigid surfaces, such as mugs or textured tiles. This is because a flatter surface is needed to get the best results, otherwise the image may be distorted. For this reason, this type of printing is usually done on garments and is usually limited to a single colour design. Conversely, sublimation comes out best when more colours are used and designs can be very detailed.

Why is sublimation printing better?

Sublimation offers more room for creativity and unique wishes

Sublimation printing on glass

As glass can break easily, it is important to be more careful when using dye-sublimation printing. The heat press must be used with care. A heat press pad can provide an additional coating to the glass, but this is not necessary.

Another thing to keep in mind when printing on glass is that the way glass is heated is different from the more traditional fabrics that are often used. From time to time, heat can cause hazy sections in the print, so half tones can be used to solve this problem.

Another solution to the problem is the use of textured material, which gives the impression of a clearer image. Something that makes this approach different is that the ink has to be sublimated in the correct reading style, as the print is transferred to the back of the glass and viewed from the other side. Other materials require the image to be sublimated in a mirror image.

Sublimation printing on plastic

Printing on plastic materials may require different types of technology. While the hot press used for fabrics and other flatter surfaces is a planar press, 3D object sublimation printing requires an oven press instead.

Another change is that the image is printed on a film rather than on paper, which is more malleable to the object being printed on.

The last thing to consider is that the item must be able to withstand about 400 ⁰F of heat without breaking. This may be rarer for plastic products than fabric and glass.

Sublimation printing on aluminium and metal

The use of aluminium or metal objects can create a very dynamic printed image. Choosing quality materials for printing offers the best results.

For the most beautiful effect, you should buy an efficient sublimation printer. An eight-colour device is recommended.

Something to keep in mind is that when printing, metals are usually placed on top of the sublimation paper, not underneath. Make sure that the image remains properly in place on the material without using a hotline.

In general, you need to be sure that the heat is touching the metal and paper directly.

Sublimation print on canvas

The main difference when using dye-sublimation on canvases is that canvases can be designed to stretch. This process is called gallery wrapping, where the canvas print is rolled around the back of the frame so that viewers cannot see the tools used to attach the canvas.

It must be remembered that the sides are visible and must be printed either as a continuation of the front image or as a repetition of the same image. If you are using this gallery wrapping style, the canvas material should be larger than the frame so that it will stretch easily.

It is very important to make sure that the material is clean when preparing to use a hot press. This can be done by using an air roller.

Sublimation printing on wood

Sublimated printing technology has even extended to wooden objects, leaving the field even more open to what can be printed. Although wood does not contain polyester, like many other products, it can be coated with poly using rollers and heat.

Once this is done, completing the sublimation process is similar to working with other polyester materials. The coating may allow the use of a hot press at a lower temperature than the normal 400⁰ for most other products. This should be investigated when using a particular coating on wood.

Sublimation print on acrylic

Although acrylic is not polyester-based, there is sublimation acrylic that can be used in the dye-sublimation process. This product can be used in conjunction with conventional heat press and transfer paper without deterioration. Sublimation acrylic is sold on sites and in shops selling printing materials and machines.

Sublimation print on vinyl

The vinyl sublimation process is almost the same as with other materials. The main difference with vinyl is that it is used for cut-to-size products.

This is often the case for products that use a sticky adhesive, such as wall and floor stickers. This is done by silhouetting the desired image on the design file before using the sublimation printer.

When it’s time to sublimate, the vinyl is cut to the right shape. Cutting should be done close to the edges of the print. Depending on the size, more than one vinyl product can be printed at a time and cut separately.

Sublimation printing on nylon

This is the most difficult material to sublimate for printing. There are many different types of nylon, each of which reacts differently to the sublimation process. Nylon 6 is the type most commonly used in textiles.

Something to keep in mind with nylon printing is that it needs to be tried and tested to see what is the most attractive result. For a wide range of options, there are unique results. One helpful tip would be to use a lower temperature.

Why choose dye-sublimation printing?

Look, dye sublimation may be more expensive than heat transfer printing, but it creates a better look that can be used for years to come.

The options to print on are much wider than other more affordable printing processes, leaving more room for innovation.

If you want something to be used for a short period of time, then something with heat transfer may be recommended.

However, if you want to print something that is intended for long-term storage, and you plan to wash it to keep it in pristine condition, then dye sublimation is the best option.

Links to:

https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sublimeerumine

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