Welcome to my blog.
This is my guide to Sublimation printing.
I having been using Dye Sublimation for printing for over 2 years now. www.printednovelties.com
For those that dont know how this works here is a quick overview.
Sublimation is the printing process by which sublimation inks are applied to a surface and using some kind of heat press that will provide the necessary amount of heat, pressure and time which are altogether critical. These three variables all need to be monitored very carefully. This combination is what makes the ink to be transfered from a mere solid state to a gas like state and then enabling it to penetrate into the surface and then forming a permanent colour image . The inks penetrate into the surface on this item resulting in a colourful image which is far more long lasting. This is far more favourable than many printing methods out there that merely only print on surfaces of the products.
The process of Dye sublimation can only be used onto polyester or a polymer coated product. At a controlled temperature the dye then converts to a gaseous state without ever being a liquid. At this high temperature the polymer pores open and allowing the gaseos ink to enter. After the temperature reduces, the polymer pores then close then the gas then reverts back to a solid. Once this process is completed this has become apart of the products polymer. This is the reason why dye sublimation cant be applied onto natural type materials that are 100 percent cotton. These natural fibres and uncoated materials do not have pores that can open.
examples of this can be found at www.printednovelties.com
