Sublimation Ink for Textile Transfer Printing

What is Dye Sublimation?
Dye sublimation is a process that uses a special heat sensitive dye to print graphics and text onto paper.

The paper is then placed on a sublimatable item and both are placed into a heat press for about 20~45 seconds at 180-230 degrees.

When the cycle(sublimation) is completed, the image on the paper has transferred to the item and has actually become a part of the surface.
If you run your finger across the surface of a sublimated plate you will feel nothing.

The reason for this is that sublimation is always done on a polyester, polymer or polymer coated item.
At high temperatures, the solid dye converts into a gas without ever becoming a liquid.

The same high temperature opens the pores of the polymer and allows the gas to enter.

When the temperature drops, the pores close and the gas reverts to a solid state.

It has now become a part of the polymer.

For this reason, true dye sublimation cannot be done on natural materials like 100% cotton.

Natural fibers and non-coated materials have no "pores" to open.
Inkjet printers use a liquid filled inkjet cartridge that has a suspension of the dye in it and requires transfers to be printed on special coated inkjet paper.

The printer should be dedicated to sublimation as the cartridges cannot be easily or cheaply switched with regular cartridges for regular document printing.

Sublimation Process
1. Design Your Transfer
A computer, graphic design software, printer with sublimation inks, and a heat press are all you need to begin making full color items.
With a scanner, digital camera or any electronic image or clip art you have a flexibility to create colorful designs and add photographs.
Once you've created an electronic design, you can create as many or as few transfers as you needs.
2. Print Your Transfer
With your sublimation printer and cartridges, you're ready to start printing transfers.
Sublimation produces vibrant color that surpasses silk screening or hot stamping-perfectfor logos, photos, clip art or other images.
3. Heat Your Transfer
Sublimation inks are specially formulated to convert directly from a solid to a gas under heat and pressure.
While in a gaseous state, the inks are attracted to certain types of synthetic surface. The inks actually penetrate and bond with the Unisub surface so that apermanent, durable image is created.
Other heat transfer methods only apply color to the surface of the substrate, resulting in a product that can be easily scratched or damaged.
4. Press Time & Temperature

MaterialTimeTemperatureReference
Coated Metal1min195° CHeat from the back of Aluminium
ANODISE Aluminium 1mm1min 30sec160° CHeat from the back of Aluminium
ANODISE Aluminium 0.5mm1min160° CHeat from the back of Aluminium
Mouse Mat1min 25sec205° CHeat face up
Clear Polyester(*)40-45sec200° CHeat face up
Lycra/Spandex(*)40-45sec200° CHeat face up
Canvas(**)1min210° CHeat face up
Matt Polycarbonate1min-1min30sec177° CSandwich between 2 sheets of paper
Tiles(in Tile Presser)4-5min205° CHeat face dow
Mug(in Mug Presser)4-5min205° CTape image onto mug firmly
Foam Board(EVA)1min165° CHeat face up - cool under flat place
1mm White Plastic (HIPS)2min165° CHeat face dow

We developed high quality of dye sublimation ink which is compatible with all piezo printheads.

For you more info, applicable printers are as belows;

Piezo: All printer including desk-jet & large format printer
Mimaki: JV2/JV22/JV4 series
Mutoh: Falcon RJ4100/RJ6100/RJ8000
Roland: Hi-Fi Jet PRO I FJ42/FJ52/FJ400/FJ500/FJ540/FJ600/FJ740 Cammjet CJ400/CJ5000


All 9 colors are available. (C/M/Y/K/LC/LM/LK/LLK/Solid Deep Black)