An Introduction to Dye Sublimation Printing

Dye sublimation is a modern and digital printing technology that works with polymer-coated and polyester substrates. It is also called Digital Sublimation. The technique is commonly used in labeling signs, apparel, and banners. It can be used in decorating novelty commodities such as plaques, Coffee Mugs, cell phones case and other articles with surfaces that are Sublimation-friendly.

Phenomena of Sublimation

The technique uses the physical phenomena of Sublimation, or phase transition, whereby heat together with pressure are induced to a solid, changing it to gaseous state via an Endothermic reaction without undergoing the liquid process.

The Printing Process

In the printing technique, Dyes used for sublimation are moved to paper sheets material. Ink deposits itself on the inkjet papers, used in the next process of sublimation printing. When the digital image design is printed right to Sublimation Sheets, it is erected on the heat compressor together with the Substrate that would be sublimed with.

For the image to be moved from the paper, it needs a heat compress process that combines pressure, temperature and time. The heat compress applies this unique combination, though can change with respect the transfer’ the dye used for sublimation at the molecule level to the substrate. Commonly used dye for the sublimation process activates at 350 Degrees Fahrenheit. Yet, a spanning range between 380 – 430 Degrees Fahrenheit is set for optimal color.

The yielding results coming out of sublimation is overwhelming, almost permanent, full-color print with high resolution. Since dyes are pumped at gaseous level, instead of being infused at the outer level, the printed art wouldn’t crack, peel or fade away under the normal conditions.

The Dye Sublimation Industry

Dye-Sublimation Printing in the past was only limited to high-end commercial printing industries, but currently the printing technique is being used by a wider variety of industries and consumers. Dye sublimation image printing is currently being used in security, Medical Imaging, Graphic Arts, Apparel Design and other applications.

It is also been used in events Photography and kiosks that need a high Speed, On-Demand printing (like photo booths). Alps Electric becomes the first inventor to produce dye sublimation printers for home and small business use.  These usually cost between $500 – $1000, thus bringing the technology of sublimation printing closer to consumers.

Additionally a large number of different brands of compact dye-sub printers are on the market, the cheapest going for around $100, for postcard-sized prints.

The capability of these printers printing photos instantly at a cheaper price has let to the revolution of printing techniques, many people have dumped the traditional instant photos printing to go with the sublimation technique.

The desktop size sub-photo Printers are being used by photographers during events to photocopy images. The instant print capability enables photographers to print photos on time so that they may sell to their customers at the same time while maintaining the level of the hardware involved low.

Moreover, Dye-sublimation printing can be applied as an indirect printing. The normal white and black laser printer can print on a white paper with a transferred toner possessing the dyes which later permanently move to Mugs, Hats, T-shirts, shirts, Metals, and puzzles.

For more information on the dye sublimation process check out How Stuff Works.