What is dye sublimation printing and why has it take over the textile printing industry?
In the olden day, some of our readers may still call it Sublistatic Printing. The process whereby one can order transfer paper from a paper catalogue.
But the problem with olden days methods were very limited colours and pattern repeat limit. One waited patiently for new Sublistatic patterns to be launched yearly.
Another challenge manufactures faced, was that everybody had access to the new designs. So creating something exclusive was a quite tricky.
With regular paper transfer printing, the repeat length was only 64 cm. So your pattern repeated every 64 cm. This was due to the circumference of the rolls.
Today however, we have access to amazing technology in the digital printing world. We now have no limit to the amount of colours. We now print photo quality in 300dpi at the same cost that we print a 2 colour pattern.
We have no limit to the pattern repeat. So if you want to design a pattern that is 3 meters long for a curtain project, it is no problem whatsoever.
If you need to make use of photo quality graphics, then digital dye sublimation is the answer.
The term Sublimation refers to the chemical process whereby a solid changes to a gas state, and bypassing the liquid stage. In short, we print dye stuffs onto the transfer paper and it dries to a solid dry state. We then place this printed transfer paper into a heat press along with the fabric. The fabric and transfer paper then passed through the heat press under 210’C.
The high temperature then activates the dye stuff and it turns into a gas. The gas then penetrates the fabric and dyes it permanently. We then recycle the transfer paper.
Because dye sublimation printing is water based, there are no toxic chemicals like solvent and lead.
Dye sublimation only works on Polyester fabrics unfortunately. Once can dye sublimate onto Nylon as well, but the results are slightly less vibrant when compared to polyester fabrics.
Fabric suppliers all around the world weave stunning polyester fabrics and gone are the days that polyester is considered plastic like that makes one itch. Unfortunately one cannot use dye sublimation printing on natural fabrics like Cotton and Linen. The dye stuffs simply do not adhere to cotton and linen. If you want to print on cottons and linens, once needs to use a process called Reactive printing.
Digital Dye Sublimation is a great cost effective wait o print on polyester fabrics.
Digital methods also allow for short sample runs of 5 to 10 meters, before going into bulk production.
Beyond Innovation boasts 3 industrial dye sublimation printers ranging from 160 cm, 180 cm and 310 cm width. Offering a wide range of Digital dye sublimation printing services.
Feel free to brows our website for prices and options
Beyond Innovation Printeriors
Guillaume Vermaak
