What is Sublimation Printing? – A Complete Guide

Hey, are you enthusiastic about painting and printing? Would you like to burst your imagination and print your thoughts into the world? You say Yes! 

Then this article is for you. In this article, i will get you know go in-depth with the printing called Sublimation Printing. i.e. does sublimation actually mean? How to do it? Its pros and cons and many more. So let’s go!

What is Sublimation Printing – Definition

It is a process in which a spot of ink is directly transferred to the substrate with an application of heat and pressure. In this process, a spot of ink is directly converted to gas from solid and infused onto the substrate and blasts the printing.

It is also called as All-Over-Printing (AOP).

List of Basic Equipment needed for the Sublimation Printing:

The basic things/equipment needed for the sublimation printing are as follows;

• Laptop/ Computer (used for designing with the help of designing software like Canva, CorelDRAW, Photoshop, Inkscape, etc )
• Sublimation Printer
• Sublimation Paper
• Substrate (The thing on which the sublimation will be carried out)
• Heat Press Machine (To apply Heat and Pressure for the required amount of time)
• Heat Resistant Tape (To fix the design during heat press, so that the design can’t move)
• Heat Transfer Vinyl/ Bleach (used if the substrate is in dark colour)
• Scissors/ Cutting Machine
• Gloves

How to Do Sublimation Printing?

To do the sublimation printing, you are in need of ink (sublimation ink), sublimation paper, heat press, substrate (an item/thing on which the printing is to be done) and all other essential items.

It is like a tattoo! Yeah! You read it right. Instead of skin here we use substrate. The step-by-step guide on how to do it is as follows:

Step 1): Print your design on the sublimation paper with the help of the sublimation printer.

Step 2): Put the design onto the substrate (apparel/mug/bottles, etc)

Step 3): Apply heat and pressure with the help of a heat press. The ink turns into gas with the effect of heat & pressure and bonds strongly with the substrate. 

Step 4): Your design rocks! 

You may also check – What Is Sublimation Printer?

What are the Areas Where Sublimation Printing is Used?

This is the digital printing method and can be used anywhere that can handle custom print styles. Some examples where it is used predominantly are:

• Apparel: print-on-demand Tees, pants, dresses, scarves, Sportswear and many more.
• Gaming & Workplace Accessories: Mouse Pads, Desk mats, etc
• Home Decor & Wall Arts: Curtains, Frames, etc
• Promotional Products: Bottles, Mugs, Phone Cases & Covers, etc
• Accessories: Bags, Shoes, Hats & Caps
• Others: Posters, Canvases, Banners, Tumblers, etc

You may also check – What Is Sublimation Paper

Pros Of the Sublimation Printing:

1. Design Limitation: There is no limit to the design in sublimation. You can design unlimited interesting textures, print digital photos, patterns and more.
2. Environmental Impact: The dyes used in the sublimation printing are non-toxic and if we consider the leftover, it reduces the leftover waste with the on-demand printing. Also, it uses less water for printing as compared to the other printing types.
3. Customisation: With sublimation, you get the 100% customised work.
4.  Print Quality: With sublimation, you get a vibrant and vivid print with unmatched quality. Gives extremely durable, permanent & long-lasting print. 

Cons Of the Sublimation Printing:

1. Types of material used:  Sublimation is best worked with only 100% polyester, bright/white coloured material. It didn’t work with the dark-coloured natural material.
2. Substrate Colour: You have to always use the white/light-coloured substrate. Sublimation did not work well with the dark-coloured substrate. 
3. White Ink: You can print on white/light-coloured substrate but there is no concept of white ink. So if there are white colours in your design then it won’t work. You have to ideally print with the white/bright-coloured substrate.
4. White Creasing: While sublimating, if the area of the substrate remains uncovered then the white creases occur.

You may also check – What Is Heat Press Machine

Where does the Sublimation Work Better?

Sublimation Printing works best on the white/light-coloured polyester material but you can sublimate on the dark-coloured material by using vinyl or by using the bleach on the dark area where you want the design.

Also, when we talk about the other materials, substrates like mugs, tumblers, bottles and many other materials like that, always go with sublimation blank materials.

When we talk about the canvas, you can go with polyester-coated canvas or if you want to use the regular canvas then simply coat it with sublimation printing spray or use the sublimation heat transfer vinyl (HTV). 

You may also check – What Is Sublimation Ink?

Conclusion:

I hope that with all the details I have shared with you, you now understand what is sublimation printing. So with all the above discussion, it can be concluded that you are more aware than before about this printing technique, how to do it and many more. So go to your passion place, give it a try and make the magic happen with this sublimation printing.