5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs Heat Sublimation Paper For Mimaki？

Welcome to the world of dye sublimation printing! Home décor, soft signage and sports apparel markets have been experiencing steady growth, and dye sublimation printing is a great way for business owners to take advantage of this opportunity.

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Below, we outline what dye sublimation printing is and share five takeaways you need to know before getting started.

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What is Dye Sublimation Printing?

It’s the chemistry behind dye sublimation that makes it the correct technique for printing on polyester and polyester resin coated products. Using a wide-format inkjet printer, dye-sub inks are printed on a special transfer paper. From there, the ink is heat transferred from the paper onto a fabric by using a heat press. The ink changes from a solid to a gas (hence the term “sublimation”) and enters the polyester fibers.

The polymers in the polyester bond when heated, which allows the graphics to quickly become permanently embedded into your materials. As a heated gas, the ink becomes fully infused into the fabric instead of just printed on the surface, resulting in long-lasting, high-quality products.

Compared to inkjet printing on other materials like paper or vinyl, dye sublimation is a more involved process since it involves multiple steps. But don’t worry. With the right knowledge, dye sublimation can be an enjoyable and profitable business. Here’s what you need to know to get started:

1. You Can Print a Huge Variety of Products

As we mentioned, polyester and polyester resin coated materials are the perfect substrates for dye sublimation printing. Since these printers are available in various styles and sizes, you can print on an assortment of products including:

• Home décor
  • Upholstery
  • Window Treatments
  • Tapestries
  • Pillows
•  Sports apparel
  • Jerseys and related sports gear
• Fashion apparel and accessories
  • Dresses
  • Scarves
  • Ties
  • Bathing Suits
  • Hand bags
• Trade show and retail graphics
  • Backlit graphics
  • Silicone Edge Graphics (SEG): With SEG, graphics are printed on special fabrics that are designed to support a silicone strip on the edges. This is so that the print can be inserted into a frame, replacing the need for hard panel graphics. SEG gives trade show displays photo-quality imagery with a clean, frameless, clean appearance.
• Keepsake items
  • Cell cases
  • Mouse pads
  • Coffee mugs
  • Luggage tags
  • Clipboards
  • License plates

2. You’ll Need to Use a Specific Type of Ink

When you’re transferring your graphics from paper to fabric, the ink needs to convert from a solid state to a gas. Since the chemical process is very specific for dye sublimation, you’ll need to use a specific type of ink known as disperse dyes (commonly referred to as “dye-sub inks”).

These dyes are able to go from a solid state to a gaseous state in high temperatures and will easily bond to polyester fabrics.

The color gamut of disperse dyes is incredibly vibrant. And, some brands like Mimaki have introduced fluorescent inks that can be used to push the color gamut even further!

Since disperse dyes are permanently bonded to your finished products, the result is long-lasting graphics that are fully washable.

3. You’ll Need a Special Dye Sublimation Printer

While similar to other wide format printers, dye sublimation printers are specific to the dye-sub application. They use disperse dyes which are dedicated to print on transfer paper only.

Dye-sublimation is experiencing tremendous growth and there is a great selection of dye sublimation printers available from the best brands in the industry. Here are a few that the ITNH team highly recommend:

• Mimaki TS55: This 74” wide model is a leader in high-production sublimation printing.
• Mimaki CJV300-160 Plus: Combining high-quality, dye-sub graphics with contour cutting, the CJV300 is perfect for high-volume production on small items, like coffee mugs.
• Epson FH: Epson’s 64” roll-to-roll dye sublimation printer was designed for versatility.
• Mutoh RJ-900: This 42” entry-level model is a four-color, roll-to-roll printer, perfect for apparel and flags.
• Mutoh VJ-WX: A 64” model, this Mutoh printer is ideal for everyday printing on trade show materials, interior designs, apparel and more.

The wide selection of dye-sublimation printers available allows you to choose the perfect fit for your application and budget. Printers are available from 44” wide up to 10’ wide.  Some are designed for the occasional job and others are capable of impressive factory production.

4. You’ll Need Additional Equipment

The dye sublimation process involves multiple steps, but they are simple and straight forward as long as you have the following items:

Heat Press
Your heat press is just as important as your dye sublimation printer. And just like your printer, heat presses are available in a variety of sizes, styles and price points. Here are a few of the most common types to give you an idea of what’s out there:

• Flatbed Press: If you’re transferring onto solid objects, a flatbed press is your best bet. Plus, they are great for printing t-shirts that require “all-over” designs.
• Calender Press: These presses use oil or electrically heated drums for heat transfer and are intended for apparel, décor and soft signage. Calender presses are best for high-volume printing.

Cutting & Sewing
Depending on your particular desired application, you may consider cutting and sewing options. Like the printer, these items range from simple and relatively inexpensive to large factory equipment. It’s best to talk with an expert to learn more about the equipment that will be your best fit.

5. Dye Sublimation is Affordable

With the assortment of equipment needed and the multi-step process, dye sublimation printing was once expensive and intimidating. The printers alone could run as high as $20,000, and that’s not even including the cost of a heat press.

Now, the market has expanded to give people more options to choose from and the cost of the equipment has been dramatically reduced. The technology has also improved, making the sublimation process much easier with even higher quality printing.

Some of the best names in dye sublimation printing, like Mimaki, Epson and Mutoh, now offer printers at $10,000 or less. And if you consider the potential that dye sublimation printing has for your revenue stream, this investment will be well worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does a dye sublimation printer cost?
A: You can find dye sublimation printers from the top brands (Epson, Mimaki, Mutoh, etc.) starting under $10,000. They’ll get more expensive as they get bigger and faster.  Also, keep in mind that you will also need additional equipment — like a heat press or a cutting machine — so your total package investment will be more than the cost of the printer.

Q: How long will a dye sublimation printer last?
A: As with anything, the higher the quality of your printer the longer it will last. A high-quality dye sublimation printer should have a lifespan of 10 years.

Q: How long with my dye sublimated item last?
A: Since the sublimation process involves the inks being chemically bonded to a material, decorated items permanent and washable. Fade resistance can vary from ink to ink and this should be discussed with a professional in the context of your application.

Q: How will I know how long an item should be sublimated for? And what temperature should the printer be?
A: This may take some trial and error since it will depend on the product you’re customizing. Typically, the following times and temperatures are recommended:

• For Polyester Fabric – 400F for 40 seconds
• For Hard Goods – We recommend a case-by-case trial

When in doubt, contact the printer manufacturer or your product supplier to get the right settings for your items.

For more Heat Sublimation Paper For Mimakiinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

What Is sublimation printing and how does it work?

Sublimation printing is the process by which an image is transferred onto a product. By using special inks and purpose-built machines, designs can be printed onto a wide variety of items, such as shirts, mugs, or bags. 

Sublimation is accomplished by quickly changing solid substances into a gas without first making it liquid. Superheating sublimation ink to around 200 degrees Celsius allows users to instantly transfer it onto fabrics or ceramics. Previously, this could only be achieved by pressing solid images from transfer paper onto the product and heating it until it stuck. With sublimation printing, the process is far easier and much more permanent. 

First, the ink is loaded into a sublimation printer, and the design is fed in with the item. The ink is then heated and changed directly into a gaseous form. The gaseous ink is pressed against the material and the ink bonds with the fibers within it. The image then returns to a solid state once it touches the item’s surface to which it is bonded. The ink binds to the fabric fibers or the surface of the ceramic without any seams or edges.

Learn more about print on demand and starting a print-on-demand business.

Sublimation printers

Since sublimation printing requires specific inks, it cannot be done using a standard inkjet printer. Sublimation printers can heat the ink far beyond that of a regular printer. These inks can also cause damage to the inner mechanisms of regular printers and can contaminate them if the inks are switched over. For these reasons, only sublimation (or subli) printers must be used. Any others will result in inconsistent or incomplete transfers.

The main benefit of a sublimation printer is that the image being printed is infused within the material. Rather than sticking an image onto the product’s surface, sublimation printers bond the colors of the ink themselves into the fabric. This allows for the image to remain stark and colorful without leading to peeling or fading.

What materials can be printed via sublimation?

Sublimation printing is ideal for a wide range of products. It is most often used when producing merchandise. Most Some items that are made by sublimation printing include:

• Apparel such assublimation shirts, jumpers, andsublimation socks
• Homeware such as mugs, cups, and plates
• Other accessories such as mouse mats, folders, canvases, and bags

Amongst these items, the most effective material for the sublimation printing process is polyester. Any item that contains a polyester of at least 80% will be the easiest to print onto.

Generally, for harder materials such as ceramics, a layer of polyester is first applied to it. The decal or image is then printed onto this polyester layer. This is because the fibers of polyester will only melt under the high temperature of the ink. This melting allows the ink to bond to it, retaining its shape and color. If other materials such as cotton are used, then the image will not last long. At higher temperatures, the fabric will burn, causing the image to fade or peel off.

Benefits of sublimation printing

For successful printing outcomes, a user requires PES materials or materials containing 80 percent polyester. Moreover, it’s crucial to pick a light background if your logos, images, and motives turn out well. Sublimation prints accommodate a wide array of blanks like key rings, medals or cellphone cases.

Sublimation printing is also fast and cost-effective. In other words, the printing technique allows you to make large quantities of items in a short period. You can print small gifts, custom promotional products, and similar things on demand for a customer or on stock. It’s easy to produce high-quality motives when a sublimation printer is available to you.

Another plus point is the longevity of the designs. We mean the designs you create with sublimation printing won’t peel, crack, or fade – even after going through countless washing machine cycles.

Cons of sublimation technology

Because sublimation printing uses special printers and inks, it costs more than other techniques. Another downside is that the printers function at a slow pace. Materials other than polyester can be used but only if they can be coated with the core material. Further, you need a white background if the motif is to feature white or light colors. Plus, you need to account for 1-5 percent shrinkage for sublimation in designs.

As an alternative, you can use a white toner printer or print with white toner. In this case, the motifs will be transferred to a transfer foil, then connected to a B-paper on a transfer press. You’ll find a head-activated adhesive on B-paper, which bonds with the print on the foil. Once the P-paper and A-foil are separated, you can transfer the design onto any textile item. Unlike sublimation, the material you choose is not that important.

You can print a wide range of textiles, including mixed fabric, polyester, cotton, and felt. It’s even possible to print other materials like cardboard, wood, or silk. Moreover, using a white toner allows users to print colored and dark backgrounds efficiently.

Another issue to be mindful of is white creasing. Because sublimation printing functions by printing designs onto white fabrics, expect them to stay white if certain areas of the garment can’t be reached by the design. The outcome? Accidental folding or instances of moisture that can sprinkle onto the transfer paper.

Sublimation printing vs. heat transfer

Sublimation printing and heat transfer follow the same procedure. You print an image onto transfer paper in both methods and then apply heat and pressure to it. However, the end effects of both printing techniques are different.

In sublimation printing, the ink becomes a part of the print media, whereas, in heat transfer, the image only becomes a layer on top of the print media. Also, Sublimation printing is more long-lasting than heat transfer so that you can produce high-quality results of any shape with this method.

But the benefit of heat transfer over sublimation is that you can do it from the comfort of your home. All you need is an iron to transfer a print. Another advantage is that heat transfer works for all kinds of fabrics, no matter what material or color. In contrast, the sublimation printer will restrict you to only white polyester fabric.

Sublimation printing vs. screen printing

As the name suggests, screen printing involves printing on fabric through a screen. The graphic design transfers as a layer on top of the fabric, whereas in sublimation printing, the graphic gels in with the fabric. Screen printing is very limited in the designs and shapes you can print, and the result may crack or peel with water. However, screen printing is a quicker way of producing as many as 900 pieces every hour.

In sublimation printing, you can do as many as 60 pieces per hour. Therefore, screen printing goes well for a project that requires bulk production, and it is the most common way of printing on garments. 

Sublimation printing vs. inkjet

Inkjet printing is best suited for documents, and sublimation printing is ideal for printing onto plastic substrates. In sublimation printing, ink vapors permeate the material, whereas inkjet prints liquid ink on top of the paper. The cons of inkjet printing are that the print will start running or get damaged when exposed to moisture. Sublimation printing is stronger and doesn’t run when in contact with water.

You can do sublimation printing from some desktop inkjet printers. You will need an Epson Ricoh inkjet printer, heat transfer paper, and sublimation ink for this project. There is a special kind of heat transfer paper for sublimation printing that does not have a coating. After you print the paper with the design of your choice, you can place the paper on the material to apply the heat press.

In inkjet sublimation printing, you can switch the printer back to normal inks at any time. But it is better to keep the printer for one process only because constant switching will not be practical in the long run.

For more information, please visit 100gsm High Tacky Sublimation Paper.