Sublimation printing is becoming more and more popular in today's custom decorating industry and for good reason! I mean, what is not to love? Permanent transfers that have ZERO hand feel - we are literally dying the surface of polyester fabric or specially treated items labeled and identified as sublimation blanks. As we enter the season of giving it is not uncommon for many already involved in this business to offer holiday themed goods as a service or gifts to customers and loved ones alike. If you have not jumped on board the sublimation station with your own business, now can be the perfect time!

What is the sublimation workflow? You print your image with your sublimation printer, loaded with sublimation ink, onto sublimation paper. Next we affix the print to whatever we want to apply the transfer to (either white polyester fabric or items “labeled or identified for sublimation) and press for the recommended time/temperature settings. As items will be quite warm and to avoid blurring or “ghosting” of the image, we advise to wait a moment before removing the transfer as the ink may still be settling. That’s it!

What about items that won’t go out of style? Nothing brightens up a dreary work area like a custom mouse pad. This can vary from a nice family photo (which is worth mentioning, sublimation transfer printing is great for realism. The paper/ink combo provides vivid, detailed images, so long as the resolution we are starting with is up to par). For those with their own brand, this is another item your loyal customers can certainly use in their everyday life. Keychains can be another year round winner. Home, office, automotive, laundry room, apartment pool? Most of us have keys to carry with us and a custom keychain is a convenient way to help avoid misplacing them (Author confirmed: “this does help” -Estevan)

With sublimation printers available in sizes to fit every business and budget, I have said this before, there is no reason to not be offering this type of printing to your new or existing customer base. If nothing else, as a throw in addon for your bigger accounts, you never know whose eyes your products may come across to spark that next order. Stay hungry my friends and happy holidays.