Sublimation printing - what is it?

Aktualizacja 24 January 2023

Sublimation printing – what is it? Recently, it has become more and more popular. This is a solution that, despite the fact that it has been around for a relatively long time, still enjoys great popularity. What exactly is sublimation printing? Why is sublimation printing so popular? What is this whole process all about? Why is it noteworthy? The answers to these questions can be found in the following article, which we cordially invite all interested readers to read.

What is sublimation printing?

If we decided to define sublimation printing, we could conclude that it is a certain printing technique that uses the phenomenon of sublimation. The whole process is carried out through special inks on transfer paper. Later, using sublimation presses, the print is transferred to clothing, which is usually made of polyester, or has a polyester coating. It is worth realizing that the sublimation inks used are actually dyes that are only able to bind to polyester fibers. How does it look in practice? Well, when pressing the tracing paper to the product, the given ingredient is heated, and then two important processes take place. First of all, the dye changes its state of aggregation – from solid to gaseous. In addition, polyester fabrics open up, consequently, they are able to accept the dye that gets inside rather than being deposited on the outside. That’s why it’s so robust. When the whole process ends, the fibers close, but they have accepted the sublimation dye, and our eyes see the graphic we were interested in.

Why is sublimation printing so popular?

So the question arises why sublimation printing is such a popular solution. There is no denying that personalized, individualized items are definitely more willingly chosen – there is nothing strange about it. They allow us to feel much better in the everyday environment, they become more friendly and proprietary. Let us remember, however, that this is a great solution not only for us, but also for family or friends. If you are wondering what gift to buy for an upcoming occasion, a personalized item may be a hit. Thanks to this, the recipient will appreciate our effort and take into account the fact that we made a special effort to make them happy with the gift. Customized T-shirts are therefore very common and enjoy a good reputation. What’s more, we ourselves are able to design the pattern we are interested in. All you need is a home computer, a suitable computer program, a bit of skill, and a willingness to have fun. The sublimation technique allows you to create any prints on clothing, which is why everyone will find what they are looking for. For this reason, this method is so popular and is willingly chosen by others.

Sublimation printing – what is this process all about?

We wrote a bit about the whole process when defining sublimation printing. The first and most important step is to print a given illustration or text. This will later be found on the surface of the item. A special transfer paper is used for this purpose. Let’s remember that the preparation of the image is of great importance. Even the resolution and scaling of the image are important – if it is too intense, then it may be the cause of a decrease in resolution. Sublimation printing is also called indirect printing. Why is this happening? Well, the aforementioned paper really is an intermediary between the graphic file and the object on which the print will be. The most important in the whole process is the phenomenon of sublimation – it is a transition from a solid to a gaseous state.

Why sublimation printing is noteworthy?

Why is sublimation printing so popular? One of the factors may be high quality, as well as above-average durability. Regardless of whether our project consists of a small picture or complex graphics – sublimation printing will cope perfectly. We will get expressive colors, and the contours will be sharp and precise. Sublimation prints do not fade and do not crumble as a result of repeated washing, which is certainly noteworthy. Another advantage is the ecological method of production. It is worth mentioning that the dyes are produced on the basis of water, therefore they are completely safe for humans and the environment. Sublimation printing is characterized by low costs. It does not matter how large the outlays will be, which is worth emphasizing. Not to mention the great flexibility and availability. The sublimation method can be used not only on T-shirts, but also on other materials or textiles. It depends on us what the project will look like. When we feel like it, we can design the pattern ourselves and then enjoy it by looking at the object.