Sublimation printing is used in advertising, in the printing of photographs and for the manufacture of souvenir products. The resulting images are clear, it is possible to draw the smallest details.
Sublimation printing is a method that allows dyeing of light synthetic materials. Thanks to her, the colors are bright, resistant to various influences. The technique relates to digital methods of image transfer.
The ancestor of the sublimation press is considered the Frenchman Noel de Plasse. In 1957, he discovered that some dyes can go from one state to another, bypassing the intermediate steps. This occurs at temperatures from 190 degrees.
Technology
It is based on the process when a substance from a solid state passes into a liquid state, bypassing the state of the gas. The dye is transferred in the heated state to thermal paper. When working with a thermal printer, the ink evaporates, and the image is applied from a tape located between the thermal paper and the heating element of the device.
By its properties, sublimation printing resembles inkjet printing, but differs in that each dot is displayed on the applied surface. Due to this, the pictures or inscriptions are realistic and stable.
The printing process takes place in three stages. Paint is not applied all at once. In some more advanced embodiments of the technology, an additional fourth layer is also used. This happens more often when printing photographs and when working with hard surfaces, which allows you to increase the protection of the image from direct exposure to ultraviolet rays.
Thermosublimation allows you to get high quality images. You can not be afraid that there will be such disadvantages as banding or solution. Due to the absence of drops in the image, there are no borders between the clean area and the colored one.
Advantages and disadvantages
One of the advantages is the ability to perform fine temperature settings. Thanks to this, the necessary clarity and contrast of the image are adjusted, halftones are displayed.
The advantages include:
- simplicity when performing sublimation printing;
- decoration of any product;
- high image quality;
- the ability to reproduce any patterns of complexity.
Work does not take much time. Due to the chemical composition of the inks and the temperature effect during printing, the life or storage time of the product processed by this method is extended.
By cons include the high price of consumables and the devices themselves. The latter are more often used in printing houses, printing companies. The use of the device is considered the most justified for small and medium enterprises. Another drawback is the need to observe a certain indoor climate when performing work. In addition, high image quality is achieved exclusively when using a light woven warp.
Types of sublimation printing
There are two main types:
- straight;
- indirect.
In the first case, the paints are mixed inside the equipment, the drawing is applied to the finished product. Typically, the direct method is used to apply the image to the fabric. It’s good to make flags and curtains this way.
Direct printing is divided into wet and dry. When wet, the working surface is treated with a polyester primer. Using a printer, an image is then applied. This technology is popular for large print runs. The dry method involves the use of paper and a laser printer.
Indirect is called thermal transfer. Technology involves two phases. First, a mirror image is printed on silicone paper for sublimation, then the pattern is transferred using thermal press and special inks. This method is performed by inkjet, laser, offset and screen printing methods.
Scope and materials used
Initially, sublimation printing was used on synthetic fabric. When heated, the material “opens the pores”. At this point, it is easiest to apply paint. It seems to melt into the fabric, allowing you to get a very stable image. Natural materials do not possess this property, therefore, for quality work, the composition should have at least 50% chemistry. A great option for t-shirts is a two-layer fabric consisting of a layer of polyamide and cotton.
The technology allows you to transfer paint to any surface:
- wooden;
- plastic;
- glass;
- ceramic;
- metal.
Since sublimation paint interacts exclusively with polymer compounds, a special acrylic-based varnish is applied to the material before application. The highest quality prints are obtained on textiles made of polyester or polyester.
Scope of application
More often the method is used for advertising or decoration of souvenirs. As carriers can act:
- items of clothing;
- fleece blankets;
- Circles
- plates;
- puzzles;
- Posters
- bottles and more.
For advertising purposes, special paper and a large-format printing method are used, which allows to obtain high-quality banners.
