2006
Printing with the Sublimation process : Better than heat transfers?
Posted by: Fashion06 in Daily Definition |
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Dye Sublimation uses a heat transfer process with certain inks so when heated they permanently dye the garment. You can create your own artwork in Photoshop, Illustrator, or whatever and simply print out the image onto high quality paper with sublimation inks and apply it with a standard heat press. There are certain limitations when using sublimation printing because they do not work well with cotton or dark colored garments.
The difference between sublimation and heat transfers is that it (sublimation) is washable without cracking, and scratch resistant. This is possible because with sublimation the ink is actually in the fabric and doesn?t sit on top of the fabric like a heat transfer.
Has anyone used this process before? If so? share with our readers. If not? share your thoughts on the process.
Fashion06
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December 20th, 2006 at 2:04 pm
Can you please explain this process with a little more detail. I am familiar with the sublimation or discharging process through the silkscreen method. I am confused about what you are saying here. Do you mean high quality regular paper or high quality transfer paper. The inks you are refering too, they sell sublimation inks for your home printer or is this a process done at a printing shop? Thanks.
December 20th, 2006 at 6:28 pm
Sublimation can be a very tricky process, but the results are far superior to a heat transfer.Traditionally, it used to be only polyester or a poly/cotton that could be sublimated and then only a light or natural color.Why ? Because sublimation inks needs to be absorbed into the yarn and if the yarn is already dyed, the sub ink will not be injested, resulting in very poor results. In the past, nylon yarns would produce a vapor when heated, expelling any ink trying to permeate it. Until recently many thought you could only sublimate polyester/polycotton. Now, companies such as Sawgrass have developed systems and inks where both polyester and nylon fabrics are “sublimateable “.And still, only light or undyed colors yield optimum results. I have seen darker colors attempted. They look crap. With nylon or polyester, the only catch is you either do one or the other. You can’t really do both without a complete system “flush” and even then, some say this is futile. I know shops where they run more than one one printing format. Sublimation printing is expensive as the ink is quite dear. Those table top sublimation units where you can do “one offs” use a cartridge sytem that gets quite costly.As well you can only spot sublimate versus overall sublimation when garments are actually manufacturered and the panels then sewn together. Percentage of fabric covered adds to overall cost.If you print only 20 % of an area, ink cost will be much lower than if you use 80%.If you are thinking of buying a sublimation system, they come in small medium and large versions.I suggest you attend an ISS show and ask some questions first. Many contractors have access to sublimation equipment or offer it as a service, so that is an option too. Heat transfers have come along way as well. It used to be they cracked, discolored, delaminated, but ink technology here has improved too, especially when working with stretch material. Good quality heat transfers when small in nature are more economical than many types of embellishment.
December 21st, 2006 at 1:20 am
Yeah i will go into it more later…as stated this was just a daily definition..all of them are short explanations of the processes. I will go into more detail with all daily definitions at a later time. For right now check out some of the readers responses like Thom…he posted some good information about the process also.thanks, Fashion Industry Ceo
December 21st, 2006 at 1:21 am
hey thom whats your background in the industry you seem too be very knowledgeable on the subject…and sawgrass thats funny I was reading about them…earlier in this week.
December 21st, 2006 at 3:09 pm
My background in the industry ? Hmm let’s see. Some people refer to me as a “garmento”. I support and encourage small start ups and tend to dislike the behemoth clothing companies that put profit before everything else. Working with smaller companies is fun, the larger ones, not so much fun.I know a little bit of everything in many areas. I research things when asked about them by clients.I am seriously thinking of starting a apparel consulting practice that gives realistic expectations to people in the startup phase. I very much dislike some of the consultants in the field that know diddly squat and charge large sums of money. They are a negative setback to people starting up in many cases. In fact, anyone reading this should be wary of apparel consultants until solid references can be supplied and verified. I like your concept here of offering up advice to people thinking of starting a clothing line. Am I poaching your site for prospective clients ? Not at all. I am just the type that likes giving back to the trade and the money aspect has always been secondary to me.
December 21st, 2006 at 6:41 pm
“In fact, anyone reading this should be wary of apparel consultants until solid references can be supplied and verified.”are you saying anyone reading here should be wary of my information?…or what? I wouldn’t mislead anyone into thinking I know something that I don’t…every article I write I check, check, and check again. I even refer back to some of my books from college from time to time to refresh my memory….but dishonest never…I’m only here to help nothing more nothing less. You should sign up in the forums if you already haven’t and spread your knowledge…as always I enjoy your comments.
December 21st, 2006 at 7:47 pm
No I was not implicating you in anyway.At other sites/forums on the Net we hear of consultants, pattern makers, graphic designers taking fees upfront and delivering “shore slop ” or nothing at all. It seems they prey on start ups. This is an area in which I strongly suggest you cover, because many of your newbie readers/designers are gonna be targeted.I think they will thank you for your forewarning.If you slow down a little and reread my post, you will see I paid you a compliment. I meant it.I did register at your forum. Once its gets busier, I’ll jump in.
December 21st, 2006 at 7:52 pm
Oh yeah I saw the compliment the first time…I just wanted to make sure I was clear on your intentions thats why I asked because you seem to be one of the most dedicated readers on this site and you always help out with your input….and yeah I seen that you joined thanks.