Dye sublimation transfer printing is a great tool to offer personalized and long-lasting products to your new or existing customer base, and jumping in has never been easier! With so many printing options available to us there is no reason not to be offering this as a service. Now, with choices come decisions, and we are here to help you along every step of the way. Before we dive into the different printers available, let’s take a look at what sublimation IS.

Sublimation is a very specific printing process that involves a sublimation printer, sublimation paper, and sublimation ink. Designs are printed in reverse or ‘mirrored’ since they are being placed down for transfer. Using a heat press, the printed ink actually turns into a gas and the pressure forces the design onto either light polyester rich fabric or specially treated substrates.

Products that are labeled or identified as sublimation blanks are treated with an invisible polymer film coating to accept this chemical process. Additionally, products such as Subli Glaze spray allow users to treat their own items with the same coating which opens up even MORE product offerings. As far as fabric is concerned, you do want to work with a white or very light color polyester rich material and the process is permanent. You are literally dyeing the surface of these items.