Dye-sub printing, also known as sublimation printing, is a digital computer printing process in which heat is used to transfer dye to materials like plastic, card, paper, or fabric. Since it was thought that the dye could move between the solid and gas states without going through a liquid phase, the term “sublimation” was first used. This comprehension of the cycle was subsequently demonstrated to be wrong, as there is some melting of the color. Although technically correct, dye-diffusion has not replaced the original name for the process. Numerous consumer and professional dye-sublimation printers are designed and utilized for the production of photographic prints, ID cards, clothing, and other items.
Digital apparel printing can now be entered with ease thanks to recent advancements in sublimation technology. High-definition (HD) printing quality, a wider range of stunning colors, faster printing speeds, and simplified graphics setups are the results of recent advancements in sublimation printing systems. With apparel-friendly sublimation printers, equipment costs have also remained low enough to make startup costs manageable.
Sublimation is unique in that it uses inks that bond to the fabric fibers at a sub-surface level rather than the surface, as the majority of other apparel decoration inks do. In fact, to adhere to fabric, the latter use a chemical additive known as a binder. Because sublimation uses molecular bonding to attach and recolor the fibers of the fabric, the image won’t peel, crack, or fade when washed. As a result, sublimation is ideal for products like team uniforms, which go through a lot of physical stress and are washed a lot over time.
Sublimation seems like the best way to decorate clothing on the surface, but just like everything else, it doesn’t work for everyone. When considering sublimation, the content of the fiber, the color of the fabric, and the color of the image are crucial considerations.
It will only bond with polyester and polymers due to the chemistry of the sublimation process. As a result, it won’t work with fabrics like cotton, bamboo, wool, etc.
