Dye-sublimation is an electronic printing technology that uses heat transfer to apply an image to the desired substratum. Additionally, referred to as digital sublimation, the procedure is commonly utilized for decorating signs, clothing, as well as banners in addition to other things using sublimation-friendly surfaces.
Dye-sublimation printing attributes the following process of two-part:
Print graphics onto special transfer paper utilizing sublimation printer as well as inks
Utilize a warm press to move the ink-over-paper to the substratum
- In the first step, distinctive sublimation dyes get transferred on sheets called “transfer” paper by means of liquid gel ink. This ink is then accumulated on the high-release inkjet papers, which are utilized for the following action of the sublimation printing process.
- In step 2, the published transfer sheets are moved via heat, which converts the solid dye into an aeriform kind without experiencing a liquid form. The warmth combined with stress causes the dye to permeate the interior of the substratum, producing an irreversible colour bond. When the heat is eliminated, the colour returns to a solid form, as well as the process is complete.
As shades are embedded in the textile or substrate, rather than published on the surface, images on textile will not break or fade also after numerous washings.
Some terms regarding dye sublimation printing
To obtain the whole picture of the dye sublimation printing procedure, we have to recognize the technology in deep. Dye sublimation is about moving a printed image from the transfer paper into numerous objects or substrates.
- Dye: A synthetic/natural tinted compound that is utilized to colour materials, as well as fibres. As a tinting material, dyes are utilized to colour products of day-to-day use, as well as can be applied all over and their shade adjustment is permeant.
- Polymer or Resin: A compound that was originally made by combining multiple comparable or different tiny molecules linked to each other, which are called Monomers. There are mostly two types of polymers:
- All-natural: Which are normally free located worldwide such as cellulose, starch, proteins, glycogens, wool, DNA, silk, as well as natural rubber.
- Synthetic: They are also called man-made polymers as they are deliberately manipulated or produced by a human. They are utilized widely in the industry because of their versatility, e.g.:
- LDPE or Low-density polyethene
- PP or Polypropylene
- HDPE or High-density polyethene
- Polyvinyl chloride
- Nylon
- PS or Polystyrene
- Teflon
- Sublimation: Stage adjustment process from solid-state to aeriform one without passing liquid stage
- Substrate: The product, which desired to be covered or published, this word covers the transfer paper, as well as the textile.