What is Sublimation Ink

Sublimation ink offers a new way to print vibrant graphics on fabric. This article examines the ins and outs of this crucial component in the field of clothing printing. We hope that by the end of this post, you will understand important details like how it compares to other ink types, typical problems that arise when using it, safety concerns, and so forth. 

Regardless of whether you’re a DIY hobbyist or a professional designer, this post will enlighten you on the most important element of sublimation printing. With that said, let’s get into it.

Sublimation ink is a dye-based ink that is used in its liquid form. When the dye within the ink is heated, it transforms from a solid state to a gas (sublimation) during the heat press process. This allows the dye to penetrate the fibers of the substrate. 

Don't confuse sublimation ink for DTF ink. DTF ink works with various fabrics because it uses a transfer film that allows it to adhere to different materials. Sublimation ink requires polyester or polymer-coated substrates to bond effectively. 

There’s also a stark difference between infusible and sublimation ink. Infusible ink is a type of sublimation ink formulated for use with Cricut machines and specific Cricut products. The main difference lies in the formulation and intended use rather than the equipment alone.

Although sublimation prints are somewhat resistant to UV light, they’re not immune to the harmful effects. Extended exposure to direct sunlight often leads to fading. It’s therefore important to manage expectations regarding outdoor use. 

Synthetic fabrics like spandex, nylon, and polyester bind perfectly with sublimation ink to produce eye-catching results. Sublimation ink does not work well on 100% cotton even with coating sprays or barriers. The results are often suboptimal, and the ink may not bond permanently to the fibers. 

A typical sublimation ink cartridge lasts about 24 to 36 months. Leaving it in the printer for more than this might lead to banding, head clogs, and color-shifting issues. 

Sublimation ink combines dye particles, carrier fluid, glycols/alcohols, and other additives that enhance the sublimation process. Here’s a brief rundown of each component and the role it plays in the printing process. Take note that the specific formulation of each varies widely among manufacturers.

Sublimation ink can contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which require good ventilation during use. While many sublimation inks are formulated to be safe, it’s always best to handle them in a well-ventilated area and follow the safety guidelines provided by the manufacturer.

Take note that sublimation inks are different. You’ll only get the quality you want based on your expenditure. Prices vary from brand to brand, so there’s no definite cost. We strongly recommend that you look carefully into the sublimation ink you want to buy and consider if it meets your needs. This next section should save you the hassle. 

Sublimation ink works best on fabrics with a high polyester content (at least 65%) and not on cotton, regardless of the percentage. It is usable on sublimation-coated items such as phone cases, keychains, and cups. It also applies to all compatible substrates, both personal and professional. 

There are some precautions to note while using HTVRONT Sublimation Ink. Firstly, for accurate transfers, use it exclusively with sublimation paper. Second, don’t use it with uncoated substrates and fabrics that contain more than 40% cotton. Like most sublimation inks, HTVRONT Ink requires high-quality polyester for effective bonding. 

Maintain the ink’s quality by storing it in a cool, well-ventilated place with temperatures under 40°C. 

We hope you can now give a detailed answer to the question, ‘What is sublimation ink?’ if it ever pops up in a conversation. This next section explores the proper way of going about the sublimation printing process. 

Being the handy craftswoman that you are, you probably have all the above at your disposal. If you don’t, no biggie! We encourage you to purchase our high-quality HTVRONT Sublimation Ink, HTVRONT Heat Press Machine, and an EPSON printer as you shop. This trio coordinates rather perfectly to give you flawless and stain-free designs. 

Take note that while EPSON printers are commonly converted for sublimation, not all models are suitable. Only use models designed for sublimation printing. Also, ensure your substrates are polymer coated or have at least 65% polyester fabric for the highest color vibrancy.

Ensure your design has a high resolution of at least 300 DPI (dots per inch). Flip your design horizontally (a process known as mirroring) to ensure your graphics and text appear the right way after transfer. 

Load your printer with sublimation ink and paper. Ensure the coated side of the paper is positioned upwards. Make the necessary sublimation settings on your printer and print your flipped design to the sublimation paper.

Now, turn on your heat press and set it between 380°F and 400°F (193°C and 204°C). The time can vary based on your substrate and preferred heat press. Refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for best results. Clean your substrate before transferring your design. 

Align your printed design face-down carefully to the substrate and secure it with heat-resistant tape. Under the heat press, place both your substrate and the final design. Add a Teflon sheet between the substrate and heat press for protection. 

Close your press and apply pressure for 45–60 seconds. Put on heat-resistant gloves and carefully raise the press once the timer goes off to remove your heated substrate. 

In the end, your skillfully created design will be one with your substrate once you carefully peel off the sublimation paper.

If you’ve experienced any of the problems in this section while following the steps above, worry not. We’ve outlined some common sublimation printing issues and provided workable solutions around them. 

Low-quality substrates or wrong printer settings often lead to dull sublimation ink. Make it a priority to press your design on a 100% polyester material. Ensure your printer is set to the accurate International Color Consortium (ICC) color profile and your heat press is set to the correct temperature.

Is your printer compatible with your sublimation ink, and the cartridge is full/correctly installed? If not, perform a thorough nozzle check. Clean it to get rid of any potential clogs. If you’ve done this and the problem persists, change your ink. Old ink is notorious for causing print failures and blockages. 

Ink bleeding occurs when your sublimation paper has excessive moisture or when it moves while pressing. Try securing your paper with heat-resistant tape while ensuring that you’ve input the appropriate heat press settings. 

Off the bat, your pressure or temperature settings are not correct. It can also be the result of an incorrectly positioned sublimation paper. Ensure your sublimation paper is properly aligned and your heat press set to temperatures between 380 and 400°F. 

At the end of the day, the key to achieving optimal results lies in using the correct type of printer (one converted or designed for sublimation) and high-quality substrates specifically designed for sublimation.

Sublimation printing transfers ink from a specially coated paper onto a substrate using heat and pressure. Unlike traditional printing methods, such as inkjet or screen printing, where opaque white ink can be directly applied, sublimation inks are transparent. The reason behind this lies in the chemistry of sublimation ink.

Sublimation ink is unique because it undergoes sublimation, transforming from a solid to a gas without going through the liquid state. When heated, the ink particles directly penetrate the surface of the substrate, resulting in a durable and vibrant print. However, this process does not allow the application of opaque white ink.

The primary advantage of transparent sublimation ink is that it enables vibrant, full-colour designs on white or light-coloured substrates. The colours appear vivid and true to the original design, making sublimation printing the go-to choice for custom apparel and personalized products. However, this advantage poses a challenge when printing on darker materials.

White ink plays a crucial role in traditional printing, especially on dark or coloured surfaces, as it provides a base layer for other colours to sit on top, ensuring their true vibrancy. But in sublimation printing, where the ink fuses directly into the substrate, the absence of white ink poses a challenge when printing on darker materials.

For instance, if you try to sublimate a design with light colours onto a black t-shirt, the sublimation inks will not be visible since they are transparent. The dark colour of the shirt will overpower the design, rendering it practically invisible. This limitation has led to the misconception that white ink for sublimation exists.

While white sublimation ink per se does not exist, there are clever workarounds to achieve the appearance of white in your sublimation prints.

One popular method is to use a white polyester fabric or a pre-coated white substrate. By printing your design onto such materials, the white areas of the image will remain white since the sublimation process will not affect the pre-existing color.

Another technique involves incorporating the white elements into the design digitally. This method requires careful design planning, where you simulate the appearance of white by leaving blank spaces in the artwork that correspond to the intended white areas. During printing, the blank spaces allow the base material's colour to show through, creating the illusion of white.

However, this digital workaround may only sometimes produce satisfactory results, especially with intricate designs or photographs. In such cases, choosing the appropriate base material color or using a white polyester coating is essential for better results.

The advent of white toner printers has also offered a viable solution for adding white to sublimation prints. White toner printers can print white onto transparent transfer papers, which can then be combined with sublimation printing to create designs on dark-colored substrates. This hybrid technique allows for impressive results, opening up new possibilities for sublimation printing applications.

Sublimation ink is a game-changer in creating vivid and durable results on coated substrates and polyester fabrics. It’s not your ordinary ink; it transforms to gas under intense heat and bonds fully with the substrate for durable and bright results. 

When you use HTVRONT Sublimation Ink, you’re set for a reliable and high-quality print. Just ensure you use the right equipment, substrates, and sublimation paper. 

We hope you found what you were looking for in this post. Please feel free to share it with someone who needs it. We’re also open to any questions you may have. Contact us, and we’ll do our best to help!