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.
Below, we outline what dye sublimation printing is and share five takeaways you need to know before getting started.
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Its 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 dont worry. With the right knowledge, dye sublimation can be an enjoyable and profitable business. Heres what you need to know to get started:
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:
When youre 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, youll 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.
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:
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.
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 whats out there:
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. Its best to talk with an expert to learn more about the equipment that will be your best fit.
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 thats 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.
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. Theyll 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 youre customizing. Typically, the following times and temperatures are recommended:
When in doubt, contact the printer manufacturer or your product supplier to get the right settings for your items.
If you need help getting started with dye sublimation printing, you can always use our free Printer Match Tool to find the printer thats the best fit for your business. Or, you can contact us anytime for advice or recommendations.
This post and photos may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. If you purchase something through any link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Any supplies used may be given to me free of charge, however, all projects and opinions are my own.
I get a ton of questions on sublimation blanks so I thought I would clear it up in a big post all about what works and what doesnt. All of my information below applies to Infusible Ink sheets, Infusible Ink markers, sublimation markers, sublimation stamp pads, and sublimation printers. What works and what doesnt work? Lets dive in and find out before you add any more sublimation surfaces to your cart!
With competitive price and timely delivery, Eastsign sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
Which sublimation surfaces will work?So, now that you know a little bit more about sublimation. Lets take a look at what surfaces will work and which will not. After all, it is super frustrating to get done with a project and have a failure! You can actually watch the video below where I walk through all of my favorite sublimation blanks and where to look for them. No need to hunt through product catalogs when I can do the legwork for you!
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel!Cant watch the video or missed some of the information? I also have links for you below for each blank and store mentioned! And yes I even have coupons for you in some cases! If you are just getting started with sublimation printing, this is the post for you!
Sublimation ShirtsShirts that you use for sublimation should be at least 65% polyester to work correctly. Be sure to check your tag. If you use dye sublimation ink on a cotton shirt, it is just going to wash out and you are going to be super unhappy with the results. You can actually watch me test a variety of t-shirts here.
Where do you get these shirts? Which manufacturer of sublimation apparel is best? While ANY shirt that is 65% polyester will work, you do want shirts that are a light color. Sublimation is translucent which means that any color in your substrate will show through after your design is pressed. I like to look for shirts in the following places:
Sublimation Fabric BlanksYou can also use other fabric blanks like wine bags, totes, and so much more. I have found totes that are 100% polyester at IKEA so you can literally look just about anywhere! Here are a few of my favorite places to shop for blanks:
That is a big list! So what are the best blanks when it comes to fabric surfaces? Here are a few of my favorites:
Sublimation MugsWith the availability of the Cricut Mug Press, interest in sublimating coffee mugs has increased. Here are a few of my favorite mug blanks and they all work in the mug press:
Sublimation Tumblers and BottlesI have made some tumblers and bottles with sublimation as well. I have used my mug press to do some here as well as an oven to do others. My favorite blanks are as follows:
Other Sublimation BlanksNow, lets talk about things that are NOT fabric. Yes, you can sublimate on ceramic, metal, plastic, and more. Again, you will need to make sure it has a special coating in order to be permanent. That means you cant pick up tiles from Home Depot or mugs from Dollar Tree. These will NOT work. You need to look for special supplies that are marked for sublimation. My favorite sources when I am looking for a sublimation product include:
Here are a few items that are my personal favorites:
Color of Sublimation BlanksSublimation ink is fairly see-through when you add it to your blank. That means the color of the blank will change the color of your final project. So, if you use a grey shirt or a blue can koozie, you can expect that to change the color of your final project, especially when using lighter-colored sublimation ink. You just need to be aware of this when choosing the sublimation surfaces you want to use for your project.
Where to Buy Sublimation InkNow you may be ready to buy your own sublimation ink and start creating! What can you use these blanks with? Try the links below!
Now, are you ready to give sublimation blanks a try? Use our guide to pick the right surfaces to make your crafts a success. Sublimation is a fun craft to try, but you want to make sure to use the right supplies so you get the optimal results!
Stay tuned for more on sublimation over the next few months. I hope this helps demystify the surfaces a bit so you can start making your own projects. Chances are you will love this craft once you get started with sublimation blanks. I have probably listed the best sellers, however, you can find sublimation blanks in so many different shapes and sizes!
5 More Sublimation ResourcesIf you loved learning about sublimation blanks, and are looking for more sublimation resources? Then check out the blog post below!
Want more information on Dye Sublimation Consumables? Feel free to contact us.