How do I get the best sublimation results?

Aug. 13, 2024

Tips on Getting the Best Results for Sublimation Printing

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Preheating the Transfer

Varying storage conditions may have an effect on the moisture content of transfer paper. To eliminate moisture from transfers, place the printed transfer 2&#;-3&#; below the heat platen for 20-40 seconds. The colors of the sublimation transfer may appear washed out. This is normal, and the desired result of color adjustment for the transfer process.

Preparing the Substrate

Remember to peel the transparent protective film off of the surface of the substrate (if applicable) and check to see that you are working with a clean, lint-free surface. Sometimes a "double image" results when the transfer moves across the sublimatable surface while it is still hot, usually when the press is lifted or while removing the transfer from the sublimation surface. To prevent this, it is recommended to always use a transfer sheet that is larger than the surface you are sublimating onto. Ideally, the paper should be large enough to secure it to the backside of your sublimatable blank with heat resistant tape. Do not tape to the foiled edge of a plaque or paperweight as it may pull the foil off when removed. If possible, allow the piece to cool slightly before removing the transfer and tape.

Temperature and Dwell Times

A temperature of 400° F is recommended for all products. Use moderate to heavy pressure&#;it should require some effort to close your heat press. Time and temperature may vary depending on your heat press and the thickness of the blank material. Dwell times can be increased or reduced in 5-10 second increments until you find the time that results in the clearest image. The times shown below were formulated for SubliJet XL sublimation inks from Sawgrass Technologies. Please refer to the documentation from your ink supplier for more information on temperature and dwell time.

FR Plastic (name badges, bag tags, etc.): 60 - 70 seconds
FR Plastic for outdoor use (license plates): 80 - 90 seconds*
Hardboard (clipboards, coasters, etc.): 60 - 70 seconds
MDF (plaques, paperweights, etc.): 80 - 90 seconds
Phenolic: 45 - 55 seconds
Aluminum (sheet stock and jewelry): 45 - 55 seconds
Aluminum (bookmarks, face down): 60 - 70 seconds
Car Flags: 25 - 35 seconds

*Laboratory research has shown that using a longer dwell time can extend outdoor life. This allows the sublimation inks to penetrate the sublimatable coating to the maximum extent possible. However, some fine image detail may be lost as a result of the longer dwell time.

Large parts will require a longer dwell time to produce optimal color. For any pieces that are larger than 9"x12", we recommend increasing the dwell time by 15 seconds over the recommended setting for that substrate. If necessary, increase the dwell time in 10 second increments until you achieve optimum color.

Please exercise extreme caution when removing finished items from your heat press. We recommend using an oven mitt or rag when removing products from your heat press. Warping can be minimized by allowing products to cool face down on a firm surface, and by placing a weighted object on the back of the product. If warping is severe, the sublimated piece can be heated a second time from the back side and allowed to cool. Do not bend products while they are still hot, as this can damage the substrate and your sublimated image.

A blowout refers to an image whose colors have been &#;blown out&#; of its borders and appear smudged. The primary causes of blowouts are uneven heating, overheating and excessive pressure. Heat press accessories, such as a rubber pad or a Teflon sheet covering a transfer held in place with heat-resistant tape will prevent a blowout of your image by lessening the variance in temperature across the surface. Anytime you choose rubber pads instead of a Teflon sheet to prevent a blowout, increase the temperature 25 degrees and the dwell time in 15 second increments until you achieve optimum color.

Two-sided Substrates

While it is possible to sublimate both sides of certain materials at same time, it is not recommended. Sublimate the first side of the material as normal. Allow it to cool completely before taping your transfer for the second side. Use an oversized sheet of paper for the second side, and try to attach heat-resistant tape only to the paper.

Cutting Recommendations

Although pre-cut blanks can be purchased through your distributor, FR Plastic sheet stock can be cut, routed or beveled either before or after sublimation using carbide tooling. We recommend using either a router bit designed for acrylic or a multi-tooth saw blade designed for plastic. Ask your engraving supplier about bits designed to cut FR Plastic material.

We do not recommend shearing for FR Plastic. The fiberglass content of this material will damage your shear blade. Also, we do not recommend laser cutting because the edges of the plastic will be charred. Hardboard products may be cut using laser engraving equipment. The peel coat or masking should be left on the product until after cutting. Consult your user manual or laser engraving equipment manufacturer for power settings for your machine.

Storing Finished Products

Special care must be taken when storing or packaging finished sublimated products. If sublimated pieces are placed in direct contact with other sublimatable materials or with any type of synthetic material, the inks will migrate from the sublimated piece to the synthetic material over time. Do not stack finished pieces face-to-face, either hot or cool. Do not wrap finished pieces in shrink-wrap or place them in plastic bags for shipping. We recommend that you use a paper sheet between stacked items, or wrap pieces in paper for shipping.

Jewelry Assembly

Once cool, jewelry pieces can be assembled by hand or with needlenose pliers. The pieces can be attached to a necklace or charm bracelet with a bale (included with these pieces). Open the pointed end of the bale with your fingernails or pliers. Put the pointed end through the mounting hole on the jewelry piece, and hang the wide end over the necklace or a charm bracelet link. Pinch the bail with your fingers or pliers to close it shut.

Earring hooks attach directly to the jewelry pieces without additional hardware. The loop on the end of the earring hook is opened slightly to allow you to slip it through the mounting hole on the jewelry. The point of the hook should point away from the sublimated face of the earring.

Outdoor Durability

The company is the world’s best low weight sublimation paper factory supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

While these sublimatable products feature UV absorbers to extend outdoor life, they are not intended for permanent outdoor use. Fading will occur over time depending on the brand of sublimation ink used and outdoor environment. Contact your sublimation ink manufacturer for data on expected outdoor life.

Sublimation printing: what matters to get the best results?

Sublimation printing is one of the most popular methods for Personalized or Custom digital printing. This article will give you a brief idea about the factors that can affect your sublimation transfer results and how you can prevent it. If you are not aware of sublimation printing and how it works, then you can read this article to understand the process.

However, if you already know about sublimation printing, then read this article completely to learn about getting the best results using sublimation printing. So let&#;s get started.

Factors that Impact Sublimation Printing Results

The following are the major factors that impact sublimation Printing Results:

Poor-Quality Images

When you choose images downloaded from the internet, or shared via any social media platform the image resolution will be low as they might get compressed. Though the images appear good on screen, it doesn&#;t mean that they always have high resolution for high-quality prints. It may result in blurred or poor-quality prints. Thus, when printing, you&#;re likely to get poor-quality sublimation transfer.

Improper print settings

The color and print quality performance of a print varies considerably based on print settings. Color management settings of the software, eg. Photoshop, Coral Draw, etc. used for image editing also play a major role in this.

It is very important to use proper settings to get good results. Selecting the correct media type, print quality, and color mode are the important aspects.

Improper fabric selection / improperly coated sublimation substrate:

Sublimation transfer is not effective when you choose non-compatible sublimation blanks or an improperly coated sublimation substrate. In the custom printing and personalized gifting industry, if the fabric/blank is a non-polyester/non-polyester blend and the sublimating substrates don&#;t have compatible coatings, then you&#;re likely to get no sublimation transfer results.

Improper heat transfer settings:

Improper heat transfer settings involve not choosing the right temperature, pressure, and time setting while printing. When you&#;re not able to maintain the proper pressure on the transfer area, it will lead to the sublimation dye migrating to the adjoining areas of the image resulting in poor transfers. The banding defects on your sublimation blanks can also result in poor-quality sublimation transfer.

How to overcome the above factors and achieve the best results for sublimation printing?

To achieve the best result following practices should be followed &#;

High-quality sublimation transfer or prints &#;

To get high-quality sublimation transfers, always choose high-contrast images with high resolution, otherwise edit them with a tool or software to enhance their color contrast before printing. Also, choosing a high-quality image setting will give you better print results which indirectly give you excellent sublimation transfers.

Tip &#; Make sure that the printer nozzles are performing well and are calibrated, before printing the image.

Proper printer settings &#;

To achieve high-quality prints, the generalized printer settings are as follows:

Go to Print Settings >> Paper Type >> Epson Matte >> Select Quality >> High >> Colour >> Select Additional Settings >> Mirror Image

Note: For Brother printers, the printer settings might vary.

Proper Fabric Selection / Properly coated sublimation substrate &#;

Material Selection is a crucial element when it comes to sublimation printing. Polyester or Polyblend fabrics (with at least 65% polyester) are used for customized sublimation printing. On the other hand, other substrates like Ceramic Mugs, Plates, Mobile Covers, Mouse pads, etc. should be sublimation-coated to offer high-quality print results.

Proper heat transfer settings &#;

You can Transfer sublimation ink according to your heat transfer equipment. The Standard settings for temperature are between 180°C to 200°C or 356°F to 392°F and the Transfer time needs to be between 40 to 120 Seconds as per your substrate and equipment. Following are the heat transfer settings for polyester blend fabrics and ceramic blanks. Below is the table that can help you identify the Standard Temperature and Time settings for the Sublimation printing.

Substrate

Press Time

Temperature

Tips/Comment (Optional)

Ceramic Mugs, Plates, etc.

90-180 Seconds180°C - 190°C / 356°F - 374°FHeated material should be cooled properly to avoid thermal cracks. MDF Keychains, Photo-frames, Coasters80-90 Seconds180°C - 190°C / 356°F - 374°FRemove plastic coating. Product face-up with the transfer paper on top. Mobile Covers or Cases (3D Sublimation)360-480 Seconds185°C - 200°C / 365°F - 392°F3D sublimation transfer. Mouse Pads40-60 Seconds185°C - 200°C / 365°F - 392°FPre-press, lint roll to clean surface. White Polyester Fabric or Garment40-60 Seconds185°C - 200°C / 365°F - 392°FTransfer directly. Pre-press fabric for 3-5 seconds to eliminate moisture. Steel Bottles, Tumblers, etc (Sublimation Coated)40-60 Seconds185°C - 200°C / 365°F - 392°FOven temperature and time will vary. Frosted Glassware (Sublimation Coated)240-300 Seconds180°C - 190°C / 356°F - 374°FOven temperature and time will vary.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, we&#;ve discussed several factors that can impact sublimation printing and how to overcome them. Learning all these factors and experimenting with your printing can help you enhance the printing quality and achieve the best sublimation results.

If you are a sublimation business owner then it is going to help you a lot. If you are looking to start your own sublimation business then we recommend reading &#; Start Your Sublimation Business.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of dye heat transfer sublimation paper factory. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

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