What is Sublimation Printing?
Sublimation is an imprint method that bonds your design directly with the item you’ve chosen. Many of our clients choose sublimation for full-coverage, full-color designs that need to stand the test of time. Our concierge service allows you to see all the benefits of this unique process for your next project!
The Sublimation Process
Step 1 is creating your design. Our team works with you to mock up what the final product will look like. Once you are happy with the layout, production can begin! Sublimation printing requires several unique components. Decorators use specialized printers, paper, ink, and heat presses to bring your vision to life.
The design is mirrored and printed using heat-sensitive ink onto sublimation paper. Then, the paper is laid on top of the item you’ve chosen and placed into a press. The combination of heat and pressure causes the solid ink to instantly turn to gas and bond with the item. It’s not unusual for heat presses to reach temperatures up to 400°F! When it cools, you’re left with ink that has re-solidified and created a beautiful finished product.
Benefits
Sublimation printing is a great choice for colorful designs that cover all or most of the item you’ve chosen. It’s perfect for custom apparel, mugs, and more! Small details come out crisp and distinct, and large items like tablecloths print and ship quickly. Sublimation can also help save on run charges, since the whole design is printed at once instead of one color at a time.
Because the ink is bonded directly to your item, sublimation is hard to beat in terms of longevity. You won’t feel any raised texture in the design and the imprint is resistant to flaking and fading. Opting for a sublimated product also means that you can generally order as few or as many pieces as you need.
Limitations
Not every product or design is well-suited for sublimation printing. The heat-activated ink bonds best with synthetic materials like polyester or polyester blends. Natural materials won’t give you the same clean look or fade resistance. Cotton apparel also can’t usually stand up to the high heat and may burn in the press. Ceramic mugs and metal plates need to be coated with a polyester layer before they can be sublimated.
It’s also important to partner with someone you trust if you choose sublimation printing for your next project. White streaks or spots can appear if the design and blank are damp or misaligned when they go into the press. We know that not all sublimators are created equal! Our team only partners with vendors who can deliver the highest imprint quality.
If you’re interested in sublimation printing, we’d love to hear from you! We take care of the heavy lifting and source the best products for your budget, industry, and marketing goals. Our promo experts will make sure your order is on brand and on point! Give us a call or drop us a line to start something special with Flicker Promotions.