Sublimation printing is a highly effective heat transfer method used to create vibrant, full-colour prints on various materials. It works by converting sublimation dye into a gas, which bonds with the fibres of the substrate (like fabric) when exposed to heat and pressure. This process results in permanent, durable prints that won’t fade, crack, or peel over time.
Sublimation is ideal for printing on materials that have a high polyester content, as the ink bonds better with polyester fibres. It’s widely used for customizing a variety of products, including apparel, mugs, phone cases, and more.
How Sublimation Printing Works
- Design Creation: The artwork is created digitally using software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. High-resolution designs are preferred.
- Printing: The design is printed onto special sublimation paper using sublimation ink.
- Heat Transfer: The printed design is then placed onto the product and heat is applied. The heat causes the ink to turn into gas and bond with the material.
Because sublimation creates prints that are part of the material, it’s long-lasting and ideal for vibrant, full-colour images .
Best File Formats for Sublimation Printing
To ensure the highest print quality, the following file formats are recommended for sublimation:
- PNG: Ideal for designs requiring a transparent background and sharp image quality.
- JPEG: Works well for colorful, high-resolution images.
- SVG and PDF: Vector formats that are scalable without losing quality, perfect for designs with intricate details.
We recommend using files at 300 DPI for the best results. Transparent backgrounds are particularly important to avoid any unwanted white areas around the design, especially when printing on non-white materials.
Benefits of Sublimation Printing
- Vibrant Colours: Sublimation delivers rich, long-lasting colour that doesn’t fade over time.
- Durable Prints: The design becomes part of the material, making it resistant to peeling, cracking, or fading.
- All-over Printing: Sublimation can cover an entire surface, ideal for full-print t-shirts, mugs, and other large-surface items.
- Eco-Friendly: Sublimation uses less ink than other printing methods and doesn’t require harmful chemicals.
Choosing the Right Material
Sublimation works best on polyester fabrics or materials that have a polymer coating. It’s not suitable for cotton or dark fabrics unless a white base layer is applied, as sublimation ink is transparent and only shows vibrant colours on light backgrounds.
Explore our extensive collection of sublimation-ready designs at Sublimation Designs UK for your next project!
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