Most of the things you use that have designs on them, like plates, signs, clothing, home decor, and so on, got those designs through a process called sublimation printing.
The business of sublimation printing has been booming, and more people are looking to learn how the whole sublimation process works.
While the process is simple, a recurring question beginners have is whether it’s possible to print on Vinyl with sublimation ink. Well, yes, you can, but on select vinyl surfaces. Learn more about the process in question from this post.
What is Sublimation Ink?
Sublimation ink is a special type of ink that, if subjected to enough heat and pressure, will convert from a solid to a gas without going through the liquid phase. The heat in question must be applied at a certain high temperature, which a heat press can provide.
Once the ink on the heat transfer vinyl turns into its gaseous state, you then take the sheet and transfer it onto its intended surface, say a hoodie, and the gas will embed with the fibers, which will turn back into a solid form with the help of heat.
This technique differs from other printing techniques as the ink doesn’t just sit on the surface. For the aforementioned reason, designs made with sublimation ink will last for a fairly long time without fading. Also, because the ink doesn’t liquefy at any point, there is no risk of smudging during the transfer process.
Benefits of Sublimation Ink
Though it has a high capital cost, the sublimation printing technique boosts several advantages. Below are some of the most outstanding ones:
No Drying Time
Sublimation ink goes from a solid to a gaseous state. Meaning, you don’t have to worry about drying time. This eliminates the risk of smudging during the drying process and waiting for the design to be ready for prolonged periods.
Versatile
Sublimation is versatile in that you can integrate your design on various surfaces and materials, such as mugs, clothes, clothes, plates, plastic, and basically anything with more than 60% polyester.
Easy to Master
Although sublimation printing may seem like a hard concept for beginners, it’s quite easy to master. First off, the process only requires a few steps, and also the sublimation printers require you to interact with only a few parts.
No Limitation on Print Runs
Whether you want to create 1 or 100 designs, the unit cost remains the same, which saves you a lot in the long run. Also, it makes it possible to generate retail orders in a limited time.
Fade Resistant
Keeping in mind that sublimation ink bonds with the material of its intended surface, you won’t have to worry about the ink fading or breaking. Also, its formulation makes it so that the ink doesn’t disintegrate or destroy the material that it eventually bonds with.
Offers a Variety of Colors
The four-color sublimation ink (CMYK) allows you to obtain almost any color imaginable. This way, you don’t have to compromise with your design, nor do you need to buy additional cartridges to achieve a specific color, thus saving you costs.
Disadvantages of Using Sublimation Ink
Just like every other thing that is artificially made, sublimation ink has its drawbacks. Below are some of the most notable ones you should remember before deciding whether to go down the sublimation route.
Labor Intensive
Unlike other print techniques where you can batch produce your decals, sublimation requires you to individually heat press each garment/ surface.
And even if it’s a commercial printer connected to an automated heat pressing machine, the process still needs additional time, making it slow compared to other print techniques.
Expensive Raw Materials
There is a variety of cheap sublimation inks and papers. However, the cheap ones release volatile carbon compounds when exposed to high heat. While you can protect yourself with safety gear, the toxins still make their way to harm the environment.
Alternatively, toxin-free raw materials are more costly.
Capital Intensive
For a successful sublimation process, you need to invest in a special printer that can accommodate sublimation ink cartridges, which can be quite expensive. Failure to which, you risk clogging your normal printer.
Also, the vinyl heat transfer papers you will need to facilitate the process are an additional cost you could have avoided.
Step-by-Step Guide on How To Use Sublimation Ink
Part of the reason why Vinyl printing is rising in popularity is because of how simple and straightforward the process is. If you want to use sublimation ink for printing, here is a detailed guide to help.
Step #1
Draft the exact design you want to print on your computer or an alternative device that can connect to your printer. Afterward, you can scale and print the design out on normal paper to ensure it appears the way you want it to look on the final copies. If the design is satisfactory, proceed to share it with the printer.
Step #2
It’s imperative to note that only some printers are designed to accommodate sublimation. Therefore, check your printer’s specifications before you proceed. Otherwise, if you have a sublimation printer, ensure that you have a suitable heat transfer vinyl paper that can take sublimation ink while also being compatible with your printer.
You can read this post on the best printers for printing on vinyl.
Once you ascertain the above, feed the printer with the sublimation paper, refill the ink cartridges then proceed to print. Often, the print version will look dull but don’t worry, as the final design will be more vibrant.
Step#3
Now it’s time to prepare whatever surface you want to sublimate on, e.g., a t-shirt. Simple research will guarantee you know how to prepare the surface. Some fabrics will take on the design better if you pre-heat them, while others are fine. However, for every textile, make sure you use a lint roller on them to remove anything that may interfere with your design.
As for surfaces such as ceramic, consider wiping them down with alcohol on a microfiber towel to remove any debris, fingerprints, dust, and so forth.
Step #4
Take your printed vinyl and place it print-side down onto its intended surface. For this example, I will assume it’s a t-shirt. For the best results, you should glue down the paper with heat-resistant tape. The tape will prevent the design from shifting when it’s being cured, as this may ruin the whole aesthetic of you design.
Some materials will come with specifications of the appropriate sublimation temperature. If your intended surface didn’t come with specifications, you can google an appropriate range and eyeball it from there.
As a general rule of thumb, the lower the heat press temperature, the more time it will take to sublimate. Once done, let your t-shirt cool, and it should be fine.
Can I Use Sublimation Ink on Plain Printable Vinyl Paper?
Yes, you can. However, using sublimation ink on printable paper is not a recommended course of action. As mentioned, sublimation uses heat and pressure to transfer the ink to the intended surface, leaving it with the intended design. For perspective, the heat is tasked with opening up the pores of the fabric so that the ink can sip in, then the pressure closes the pores, sealing the ink inside.
For the process above to go on smoothly, you will need pressure and temperature of about 350-400°F, yet most printable vinyl melts at 212°F. That said, your vinyl may melt before the ink completely embeds into the fabric, negating the whole activity’s purpose.
Additionally, some printable vinyl doesn’t have enough pores to allow the ink to sip in. While the aforementioned is great, as it allows the vinyl to be more waterproof, it’s not ideal for sublimation.
All in all, you should do your due diligence and find out if the type of printable vinyl you are dealing with can deliver the results you want to achieve to prevent wastage.
Conclusion
Thanks to advancements in the technological sector, you can now print on vinyl on several surfaces so long as you have the right materials. Luckily, this article breaks down the whole process and equips you with the necessary tips and tricks to create your dream sublimation design.
FAQs
Why did my sublimation ink bleed?
It’s because you moved the heat press or the material you are sublimating on during the heat transfer process. To prevent it from moving, you need to secure the surface with heat-resistant tape and secure the heat press from moving.
Why does my sublimation design come out with bubble-like spots?
It’s mainly because your surface had too much moisture before the heat transfer. This is why you are advised to preheat your surface before sublimation.
Also, the problem could be that the surface has imperfections or dirt, such as fingerprints or dust. Therefore, always clean the surface thoroughly before you begin.
How do I make my sublimated design prints brighter?
Most importantly, you are supposed to use high-quality ingredients such as good ink and surfaces rich in polyester. Additionally, try increasing the temperature and amount of time that the surface you are designing stays under the heat press.
