Sublimation printing is a fun hobby and a strong business idea. You can print fun designs on everything from shirts and accessories for yourself to mugs, phone cases, and more as merch. If you’re thinking about exploring sublimation printing, Valley Litho is here to help with expert insight into sublimation trends and techniques, as well as the sublimation supplies you need to get started. Use this quick guide to create your sublimation projects.
What Is Sublimation Printing? And How Does It Work?
Sublimation is a printing method that uses heat to permanently dye materials with crisp, colorful images. It’s a multi-stage process that works well with shirts, sportswear, and other fabric goods, as well as plastic accessories and ceramic goods like mugs. Here’s the basic process:
- Print the image or design using an inkjet sublimation printer onto a transfer paper. The printer will create a mirror version of the design so you can transfer images, even images with text, onto the final product.
- Position the image onto the final item, like a mug or phone case, and then place it in a specialty heat press.
- The heat press will use heat to turn the dye ink into a gas, and the pressure will firmly press the ink into place. The heat press generates high temperatures of up to 450° F to sublimate all of the ink. For porous or fabric goods, the heat also opens the pores to ensure a longer-lasting transfer.
- The ink and object cool. The inks will resolidify, and the cooled product will be permanently dyed with the image or text.
Sublimation printing is uniquely versatile, making it a good choice for businesses that want to sell many different products. The process is also permanent and creates crisp, long-lasting, and colorful images.
Essential Equipment Starting Sublimation
If you want to start sublimation printing, you need the right equipment and materials. The two most important pieces of equipment are the printer and the heat press. It’s important to choose a user-friendly sublimation printer that’s not overcomplicated or finicky, especially at the beginning of your learning process or business. Beginner-friendly printers like the Sawgrass ChromaBlack SubliJet printer offer compatible software, clear operations, and simple workflows so you can master the craft. You also need a heat press that can accommodate fabrics for custom t-shirts or three-dimensional goods like mugs.
Also, look for a good source of consumable materials like transfer papers, inks, and blank goods to transfer your images onto. Ideally, you’ll find the right balance between cost-effectiveness and quality as you build your business.
Tips for Getting Started Successfully
If you want to start a successful sublimation printing business, the first step is creating a reliable workflow. Familiarize yourself with the processes of creating designs, printing them onto transfer paper, and then transferring them onto the final products. It will take practice to hone in on the right temperature and timing for different designs and materials. Some common mistakes to avoid include:
- Not pre-pressing the material
- Using inkjet ink instead of high-quality sublimation ink
- Using too-low temperatures or not pressing it in place for long enough
- Not reversing the initial images for printing onto transfer paper
The right sublimation printing design software can also simplify your workflow by helping with calibration and creating aligned ICC profiles so RGB on-screen colors are a match for the final CMYK press colors.
Partner With Valley Litho for Your Sublimation Needs
Having the right resources makes a big difference when you start sublimation printing. At Valley Litho, we provide novice and experienced sublimation printer business owners with hardware, materials, and support. Browse our online selection of printers today, or reach out to find the right inks, blanks, and transfer papers for your process. Our team of friendly experts is here to help you learn the fundamentals of sublimation for beginners and then grow your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sublimation printing?
Sublimation is a printing method that uses heat to permanently dye materials with crisp, colorful images. It works well with shirts, sportswear, fabric goods, plastic accessories, and ceramic goods like mugs, making it a versatile option for businesses that want to sell many different products.
How does the sublimation printing process work?
You start by printing your design onto transfer paper using a sublimation printer, which creates a mirrored version of the image. You then position it on the final product and place it in a heat press. The heat, which can reach up to 450 degrees F, turns the dye ink into a gas and presses it permanently into the material. Once cooled, the ink resolidifies and the product is permanently dyed.
What equipment do you need to start sublimation printing?
The two most important pieces of equipment are a sublimation printer and a heat press. Beginner-friendly printers like the Sawgrass ChromaBlack SubliJet offer compatible software and simple workflows. You also need a heat press that can handle both flat fabrics and three-dimensional goods like mugs.
What consumable materials do you need for sublimation printing?
You will need transfer papers, sublimation inks, and blank goods to transfer your images onto. Finding the right balance between cost-effectiveness and quality is important as you build your business.
What are the most common mistakes beginners make with sublimation printing?
Common mistakes include not pre-pressing the material, using regular inkjet ink instead of sublimation ink, using temperatures that are too low or not pressing long enough, and forgetting to reverse the image before printing onto transfer paper.
How can design software help with sublimation printing?
The right sublimation printing design software can simplify your workflow by helping with calibration and creating aligned ICC profiles so the RGB colors on your screen match the final CMYK press colors.
Image credit: Panumas Yanuthai / Shutterstock
