Dye Sublimation

Dye : To impregnate color into a material
Sublimation: A change directly from a solid to a gaseous state without becoming liquid.

Dye sublimation simply put “solid dye particles being changed into gas using heat and pressure, which then bond with any Polymers present, and then change back into a solid.” This equates to putting sublimation ink on paper and applying heat and pressure.

The basic inkjet dye sublimation process uses a heat sensitive sublimation dye, dissolved in a liquid, to print graphics and text onto special inkjet paper. We use a 3M Scotchprint 2000 for this process. This is called dye sub transfer. The dye sub transfer and sublimatable fabric are then placed into an Astex heat press. When the heating cycle is completed, the image on the paper has been transferred to the item and has actually become part of the surface. Run your fingers across the surface of sublimation and you will feel nothing. The reason for this is that sublimation is always done on a polyester coated item. At high temperatures, the solid dyes in the print converts into a gas without ever becoming a liquid. When the item is removed from the heat press, the temperature drops, the pores close and the gas reverts to a solid state. It has now become part of the fabric; it cannot be washed out or come off, unless the actual fibers or coating is damaged.

All of our inkjet sublimation is done on white fabric (substrates is the technical term). The reason for this is because the inks are actually transparent, when sublimated, and need a background to show up. White is the ideal background because it does not clash with the colors. Indeed, the white background actually enhances the colors. This allows printing a wide gamut of vibrant, brilliant colors on multiple substrates.

The Advantages of Dye Sublimation

• Dye Sublimation has the highest print quality for printing on fabric/textiles.
• Dye sublimated textiles are very durable and can be laundered without any concern of them losing their appeal.
• Full Color Process – no difference is cost between 1,2,3,4 color designs
• Can print larger print sizes than a litho press (or screen press)
• The proof is an actual output of your file on your fabric of choice
• Photographic quality image capability
• Very cost effective
• More elegant look and feel than vinyl or plastic
• Portability – can easily be rolled/shipped
• Storage – Does not wrinkle
• Lightweight
• Easy to fit stands, frames, & structures
• Many options to choose from

How Long Has Dye Sublimation Been Around?

Historically, the process of Dye Sublimation dates back to 1957. It was first termed “Transfer Printing” by a man called Noel De Plasse working for a small printing company in the north of France. He discovered that dyes could pass directly from a solid form to a gaseous state when brought to a temperature above 370º. This change was termed “sublimation” and is the basis for transfer printing. The process of sublimation has its roots in printing processes such as screen, lithographic, and flexography printing. Popularity of these processes grew in the sixties and seventies, which in turn led to the creation of Electrostatic sublimation.