What You Need to Know About Sublimation Printing

Sublimation printing is a digital technique that transfers an image onto synthetic fabrics like polyester t-shirts, glass, plastic, metal, or anything with a polyester coating or a polymer coating. Sublimation designs are printed onto special transfer paper with special inks and then the heat presses and pressure from the specialized sublimation printer turn the ink into gas which is absorbed by the material. The result is a more vibrant, high-quality image than you'd get from an inkjet printer or other printing process.

What is Sublimation Printing?

Sublimation printing uses special sublimation inks and transfer papers, heat, and pressure to place an image onto glass, plastic, metal, or polyester materials. The process turns the sublimation dyes into a gas that penetrates the material to leave a permanent imprint. Because it’s “sublimated” versus just laying on top, the image from a sublimation print reveals more vibrant colors and resists the fading or cracking of other methods of printing.

How Does Sublimation Printing Work?

When making sublimation prints, special inks are turned into gas by high temperatures. The color penetrates a material to leave a permanent imprint. The process uses heat and pressure, as well as a special kind of transfer paper to place the image onto the object where it then becomes permanent.

The end result of sublimation printing, such as on blank apparel t-shirts or other sublimation apparel are colors that are more vibrant, images that are sharper, and a resistance to fading.

Benefits of Sublimation Printing

Sublimation allows for printing a wider variety of colors, ones that are more vivid and long-lasting. This digital technology and specialized heat presses can also create gradients and variations on colors you can’t manufacture via inkjet or laser printing. Complex designs are also no problem. 

Details are finer in sublimation printing, and because the heat transfer process bonds the color and image to the material, fading, peeling, and cracking are not an issue.

What Can You Print with Sublimation Printers?

Sublimation can be used on a wide variety of materials, ranging from glass, metal, and plastic to fabrics like Bubbakins Blanks’ sublimation apparel. Because this form of printing allows for almost unlimited colors, shades, and gradients, as well as very fine detail, it’s ideal for replicating photos and other complex designs onto things like tote bags or a t-shirt. It offers more vibrance and durability than traditional printing methods like inkjet printers.

Common Challenges in Sublimation Printing

The special sublimation ink used in sublimation printing can dry out faster than inkjet inks and clog up the special sublimation printer. Non-synthetic materials, like cotton, won’t hold the permanent image. The sublimation ink colors may not pop as much if sublimation printing is used on anything other than white or brightly colored materials.

Sublimation Printing vs. Other Printing Methods

Compared to other forms of printing, sublimation allows for greater detail, and a wider range of colors (as well as various shades and gradients). Sublimation printing results in more durable images that are more vibrant. Unlike screen printing, the sublimation printing cost doesn't increase no matter how complex the design is. On an environmental note, sublimation printing techniques use less water and special ink that's non-toxic.

Tips for Successful Sublimation Printing

Choose the right kind of material for sublimation printing. Glass (like a ceramic mug), metal, and plastic work well. Synthetic fabrics (like our sublimation apparel) work best over cotton shirts. Choose backgrounds that are either white or bright colors to make the most of your design.

Managing the inks and the equipment for the sublimation printing process requires expertise. At Bubbakins Blanks, this is what we do, ensuring that the design you envision on one of our blank toddler shirts or blank women’s apparel comes out exactly as you want it.

Also, hand washing (or using the “gentle” cycle) is recommended to keep your sublimation apparel looking its best. 

Conclusion

The possibilities of sublimation printing are very exciting. The images are more detailed, the colors from sublimation ink are more vibrant, and the sublimation transfers are more durable than other forms of printing. The blank apparel from Bubbakins Blanks makes the perfect backdrop for a unique, lasting piece of clothing, for kids and adults.