Who is sublimation suitable for?

Sublimation is a versatile technique that is suitable for a wide audience. It is an excellent choice for both hobbyists and professionals. Below you will find an overview of the different target groups that can benefit from sublimation:

Hobbyists

• Creative minds: Do you want to make unique gifts, such as personalized mugs, T-shirts or puzzles? With sublimation you can give free rein to your creativity.
• DIY enthusiasts: Do you like to work on do-it-yourself projects? Sublimation offers countless possibilities to personalize your home or interior.
• Photography enthusiasts: Do you want to exhibit your most beautiful photos in a special way? Sublimation is perfect for printing photos on various materials.

Professionals

• Entrepreneurs: Do you own a webshop or a physical store? With sublimation you can offer personalized products to your customers, such as printed clothing, promotional material or business gifts.
• Graphic designers: Do you want to bring your designs to life? Sublimation is an excellent way to convert your digital creations into tangible products.
• Schools and associations: Do you want to make merchandise with the logo of your school or association? Sublimation is an affordable and fast solution.

In short, sublimation is suitable for anyone who:

Want to create personalized products and love unique and striking designs. Those who want to express creativity and are looking for a versatile printing technique. Whatever industry you work in or whatever hobby you have, sublimation offers countless possibilities.

What do you need to work with sublimation?

Sublimation is a fantastic technique for creating unique and durable prints, but there are a number of important things you need to pay attention to in order to achieve the best result.

Below you will find an overview of the most important points of attention:

The material

• Polyester content: The material must contain at least 65% polyester. The higher the percentage of polyester, the more vibrant the colours and the better the washing resistance.
• Colour: Sublimation works best on white or light-coloured materials. On dark colours, the colours may become less intense.
• Coating: Some materials require a special coating to make sublimation possible.
• Sublimation ink: Always use special sublimation ink. This ink is designed to sublimate and penetrate the material at high temperatures.
• Sublimation printer: A standard inkjet printer is not suitable for sublimation. You need a special sublimation printer.

Other points of interest

Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation during the sublimation process, as harmful fumes can be released.
Safety: Always wear protective clothing and work in a well-ventilated area.

What should I pay attention to with sublimation?

Sublimation is a great technique to create unique and durable prints, but there are a few important things to keep in mind to achieve the best results.

Material choice

• Polyester: Sublimation works best on white or light-colored materials with a high polyester content (at least 65%). The higher the percentage, the more vibrant the colors.
• Coating: Some materials have a special polyester coating to make sublimation possible. Always check if the material is suitable.
• Heat resistance: The material must be able to withstand high temperatures, as heat is applied during the sublimation process.

Design and preparation

• Colours: Use bright and contrasting colours for the best result.
  Resolution: Ensure a high resolution in your design to get sharp prints.
• Mirror image: When printing on textiles, the design usually has to be mirrored.
• Colour profiles: Use the correct colour profiles for your printer and material to avoid colour differences.

Sublimation process

• Temperature and time: The right temperature and time are crucial for good sublimation. Too low temperatures or too short times can lead to incomplete ink transfer, while too high temperatures or too long times can damage the material.
• Pressure: Ensure sufficient pressure during the sublimation process to ensure good ink adhesion.
• Cleaning: Keep your sublimation printer and material clean to achieve optimal results.

What types of sublimation papers are there?

Pros and Cons of Sublimation

Sublimation is a versatile technique with both advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a closer look at both:

Advantages of Sublimation

• Vibrant colors and high resolution: Sublimation produces photorealistic prints with bright colors and sharp details. The ink penetrates deep into the material, making the prints very durable.
• Wide range of applications: You can sublimate on various materials, such as polyester textiles, mugs, puzzles, photo panels and more.
• No tactile layer: The ink is absorbed into the material, making the print smooth and supple to the touch.
  Abrasion and wash resistant: Sublimation prints are resistant to abrasion, washing and exposure to UV rays.
• No limitations in design: You can sublimate complex designs and photos without loss of quality.

Disadvantages of sublimation

• Limited choice of materials: Sublimation works best on light-colored materials with a polyester coating. Dark colours or natural materials such as cotton are less suitable.
• Initial investment: The necessary equipment, such as a sublimation printer and heat press, can be expensive.
• Preparation time: Designing, printing and pressing your products takes time.
• Energy consumption: The sublimation process requires a high temperature, which consumes energy.
• Environmental impact: Although the prints themselves are sustainable, the production process can have an impact on the environment.

How much does sublimation cost?

* The prices mentioned are indicative and may vary per design. The printing costs are based on an average ink coverage of 20%. The more complex the design and the higher the ink coverage, the higher the final costs. In addition, a standstill of the sublimation printer can lead to higher consumption, because the printer regularly uses a small amount of ink for maintenance of the print head.

Sublimation FAQ