Sublimation printing is one of many printing processes that can be use to print on T-shirts and other textiles. So that you also know exactly what sublimation printing is and how it is handle, we will go into this very high-quality type of printing in more detail here. After all, you would like to know what you are wearing on your body …

First of all, we would like to define this unusual term:

Term in Sublimation printing

Sublimation defines the direct transition from the solid state of aggregation to the gaseous state without assuming the liquid state that is normally in between. Industrad Group also Provides a Sublimation printer in Pakistan, You can avail this amazing Product by buying it.

When sublimation printing was still in its infancy for the broad mass of sign makers in 2002, we were one of the first companies to tackle the issue and create the definition of the term “sublimation” just mention. The fact that precisely this definition can now find thousands of times on the Internet proves that it couldn’t be more apt. Almost every supplier who works with the sublimation technique has adopt this definition.

Sublimation printing is one of the newest printing techniques in t-shirt and textile printing. That many advertising technicians design their own photo gifts with the help of sublimation printing can bring high add value to the advertising industry and thus also to the end customer. The sublimation process is use in a wide variety of areas, for example in the manufacture of T-shirts, mugs, aluminum (e.g. refrigerators), and many more. In industrial production, the sublimation process has been use for many years, where previously mainly screen printing or offset printing were common. Thanks to the development of sublimation inks, it is now also possible in the desktop area to produce individual items or even large editions inexpensively and in outstanding quality, quickly and without initial costs.

How does sublimation printing work in practice for t-shirt printing?

The substance that skips the liquid state is the ink. For a few years now, a special sublimation ink with the properties mention above has been available in the advertising media sector. This ink is print on specially coat printing paper using a sublimation printer. This printing paper is then press onto the material to print using professional transfer presses.

The material to be print must have a polymer coating, in practice this is usually a polyester coating. This is of fundamental importance because polyester, like human skin, has pores. These are close when cold and open when exposed to heat. So when the printing paper is press onto the product (e.g. a cup) with the sublimation ink, two things happen:

1. As mention above, the sublimation ink takes on a gaseous state.
2. The polyester coating opens its pores.

 Left picture:

Graphic representation of the sublimation during a pressing process. Above the transfer press and the printing paper with the ink. Below is the coat product. When expose to heat (usually around 200 degrees), the pores of the polymer coating open and the gaseous ink can penetrate into them. Since there is also a high pressure during a pressing process, the gaseous sublimation ink can now penetrate the pores of the polyester coating. As soon as the pressure and heat decrease again (when the pressing process is finish) the pores of the coating close again and the sublimation ink is trap in the coating. Since the ink is now enclosing in the polyester coating, the pressure, i.e. the image or the logo, cannot be felt in any way.An absolutely photo-realistic appearance rounds off the result.

How durable is the print?

Sublimation printing is very resistant to external influences such as UV radiation. As mention, the articles to be print are provide with a polyester coating. Polyester varnish is use, for example, as UV protection in the automotive industry, in the construction of swimming pools or when laminating digital prints.

Special protection is no longer necessary for products in sublimation printing, since a corresponding protective layer is already in place. Promotional items that have been refin using sublimation printing are therefore optimally protect – also against scratches, by the way.

Which articles can refine with sublimation printing?

All items have a polymer coating and are very heat-resistant. Since the coating process is complicate and sometimes not worthwhile for some products, the selection of articles with polymeric coating is (currently) still limit. Today the cheapest products available are:

Here it goes to the design of the photo gifts

1. Textiles (T-shirts, sweatshirts, hospitality clothing, umbrellas)
2. Ceramics (mugs, beer mugs, plates, tiles)
3. Wood (jewelry boxes, signs
4. Glass (glasses, bottles, vases)
5. Aliminium (business cards, cup blanks, signs, pendants)
6. Plastic (tags, cell phone covers)