[Sublimation Guides] Sublimation Ink 101

Imagine printing a design that doesn't just sit on top but actually integrates into the fabric, no peeling off, no cracking, just lovely, permanent color. That's the magic of a unique printing technique that artists and crafty DIYers love!

This technique uses sublimation ink. But how is it different from regular ink? In this article, we’ll break it all down, how sublimation ink works, how it's used, and why it’s such a game-changer in the printing world!

Sublimation ink is a special type of dye-based ink that transforms into gas when exposed to heat and pressure. Unlike regular ink, which sits on the surface of materials, sublimation ink bonds directly with compatible surfaces like polyester fabric, coated ceramics, and aluminum.

The purpose of sublimation ink is to create long-term and high-grade prints that remain non-fading, non-peeling, or get washed out. Whether it's printing shirts, mugs, phone cases, or billboards, such ink maintains the design bright and long-term.

For instance, if you have spotted a sports shirt with a very colored design and does not get cracked even if it has been washed a number of times, there are fine chances that this was printed via sublimation ink!

Sublimation ink works by being heated and transforming into a gas, which then bonds to the material to produce a permanent print. Regular ink, on the other hand, sits atop the material and then dries out. This makes sublimation ink more long-lasting and more durable compared to regular ink, which peels or fades with time.

Sublimation prints are very long-lasting as the ink gets into the material. They won't crack, peel, or wash out even upon multiple washings. Regular ink alone, especially on textiles, gets eroded, faded, or cracks when it comes in contact with water, heat, and friction.

Sublimation prints are vibrant and resolution-rich because the ink becomes part of the material entirely. Regular ink can never be as crisp and colorful, especially on fabric or rigid surfaces where it rests on top and not inside the material.

Here’s a quick comparison of sublimation ink and regular ink:

Unlike regular ink, sublimation ink will evaporate when heated, thus bonding with materials rather than lying on top. This produces prints that are deep and will not peel or fade over time. Let's do it step by step.

Sublimation is a phase transition in which a solid transforms directly into a gas without passing through the intervening liquid phase. Sublimation ink starts out a solid when it is sublimation printing with sublimation ink on special sublimation paper. When you heat and press the ink, it becomes a gas without passing through the liquid phase.

Heat and pressure are the main ingredients for sublimation printing. A heat press is used to deliver extreme heat (usually between 350°F and 400°F) and intense pressure to the printed design. This causes the ink, causing it to transform into gas and seep into the material's surface. Heat will also open up the pores of the material, and the gas can seep deep in.

Not all materials are suitable for sublimation ink. Polyester fabric and polymer-coated products like mugs, metal, and plastics work best with it. When cooled, the ink solidifies within the material to create a long-lasting and hard-wearing print that will not be washed away or crack.

Sublimation is a fantastic way to create high-quality, lasting designs for clothing, home décor, and promotional products. As long as you have the right materials and equipment, the process is simple and effective!

Sublimation ink needs the proper materials to function. So, what are the optimum materials for sublimation and why won't others do? Materials that will work with sublimation Ink include:

Polyester is the standard for sublimation. This synthetic fiber has fibers that expand when heated, thus allowing the sublimation ink to bond with the material. Upon cooling, this ink becomes embedded in the fabric, producing prints that are not only bright but also flexible and wash-safe.

Ceramic surfaces of plates, mugs, and tiles are also suitable for sublimation ink because they may have a polymer which will form a union with the ink upon exposure to a heat source. This permits high-quality, durable prints that neither peel nor crack.

Metal products are great for sublimation if they do come with a polyester coating, similar to signs, nameplates, or keychains. This will make the sublimation ink stick to the metal and results in bright and long-lasting designs that won't peel off.

Sublimation ink can be applied to many hard surfaces, including wood , glass and even leather but only if they've been coated with a special polymer coating. It makes the inks adhere to the surface, for a high-quality finish.

Sublimation ink works well on polyester, cotton, and dark garments. However, it might be a tricky affair for these materials:

Cotton is a natural fibre, and it acts differently compared to synthetic fabric like polyester when it's heated. The fibres aren't going to open up and allow the sublimation ink to bind with a substrate, so the ink would simply be sitting on the surface of the cotton instead of embedded within the cloth. The result is a distorted or faded print that will not last.

That is, except for one workaround. It is possible to pre-treat cotton fabrics with a special coating that will make them sublimation ink-friendly, but it's not quite as simple as it is with polyester. It's done by applying a polyester coating or using a sublimation transfer sheet, which will enable the ink to bind to the cotton.

Sublimation and dark fabrics don’t mix well, and here’s why—there’s no white ink in sublimation printing. The ink itself is transparent, so it relies on a light-colored background to show up properly.

If you try pressing a design onto a black or dark shirt, the colors either look super dull or don’t show up at all. And any white areas in your design? They’ll just take on the color of the fabric. That’s why sublimation works best on white or really light materials.

Some people get around this by using a special white-coated transfer sheet, but straight-up sublimating onto dark fabric? Not gonna happen.

Sublimation ink is used as durable as a long lasting print that can bring with it resistance to such things as fading, scratching, and washing. Sublimation prints can stand the test of everyday wear and tear without fading on fabrics, mugs or signage.

Sublimation prints are also very water-resistant since the ink becomes part of the material. While ordinary ink can ripple or wash away, sublimation prints are permanent and can withstand repeated exposure to water, making these designs ideal for products such as mugs, sportswear, and outdoor signage.

Sublimation print has more resistance to fading compared to simple ink but, it is always subject to prolonged exposure to UV. Some direct sunlight can fade some items somewhat over time, especially on outdoor items. Use UV-protective coatings or avoid direct sunlight to help ensure prints remain vibrant.

Under normal use, sublimation prints will last many, many years with no visible wear. On textiles, its lifespan is often as long as the fabric itself, and on hard surfaces, the print can last a lifetime, if it's kept out of too much sunlight. The level of durability that sublimation provides makes it perfect for personalized gifts, promotional items, and long-term branding solutions.

To avoid your sublimation ink from lasting too long and maintain the printer in proper working condition, follow these useful tips:

Sublimation printing offers a range of advantages as follows:

Sublimation prints don’t merely sit atop the surface — they bond with the material. This one makes them extremely durable, fade resistant, and very wash/element proof as it will NEVER wash away or peel or crack off.

Sublimation ink yields brightly colored, bold, and high-resolution prints. This allows smooth gradients and rich color depth, making it suitable for detailed designs and photo-quality prints.

Unlike traditional print methods that can feel stiff or plasticky, sublimation ink is absorbed into your fabric. That results in a soft, natural feel that doesn’t clog up the texture of the material.

Sublimation is not only for items made of fabric. It works on mugs, phone cases, metal panels and pretty much anything coated. That makes it an exceedingly popular choice for custom gifts, promotional products, and branded merchandise.

Because sublimation ink becomes part of the material, it gives a sleek, professional look without extra layers or textures. This makes it ideal for businesses and individuals looking for high-end, polished results.

Unlike other printing processes where the ink sits on the surface, sublimation ink becomes part of the material itself. It accomplishes this through heat, pressure, and a chemical process. The ink undergoes a special change: It changes directly from a solid to a gas without going through the liquid stage, the process known as sublimation.

Here's how you apply sublimation ink.

What You'll Need:

Upload your design into Cricut Design Space and make a new project. Resize so it fits your hoodie, and ensure it’s in the correct setting in terms of printing.

Choose the Sublimation HTV for dark fabrics option in Cricut Design Space. Create a mirrored image of your design, and then prepare the right cuts for your material.

Now, using a sublimation printer, you will print your design using sublimation paper. Make sure it’s printed in reverse.

Lint roll your hoodie to get off third-party material. Pre-press the fabric to get the moisture out before the transfer is done.

For sublimation HTV, set your heat press to 305°F. Set it all up correctly first, or then move on to transfer the design.

Make certain that your sublimation paper is in the center and if it is upside down then keep the printed side facing the hoodie. If using multiple layers of vinyl, secure with heat-resistant tape.

If you do needle punch, put the parchment paper on top of the design and heat press on the fabric for 10-15 seconds at 375°F with medium pressure. Peel the sublimation paper after cooled. More on temperature settings here.

Remove the hoodie from the heat press with care, and check the design. Once everything is correct your sublimated hoodie is set to wear or sell!

Did it turn out as bright as you wanted? No? Check out this article to learn how to deal with the common causes of dull prints and make your outcome brighter than ever! On the other hand, if you want to do away with your finished print for another one, you ought to learn the proper steps to follow when removing sublimation ink.

Watch this video to learn how to use HTVRONT’s premium sublimation ink:

Sublimation printing is an exciting and effective way to create stunning, long-lasting designs, but like any process, it can come with its own set of challenges. Here are some of the most common problems you might face when applying sublimation ink, along with easy solutions to help you get back on track.

Faded or light prints are a common issue when the final design lacks vibrancy, leaving it looking dull or washed out. The most likely cause of faded prints is insufficient heat or incorrect press time.

Sublimation ink needs the right combination of heat and pressure to properly transfer and bond to the material. If either the heat isn’t high enough, or the press time is too short, the ink won’t transfer fully, leading to faded colors.

To avoid Faded prints: Double-check your heat press settings! For sublimation, the ideal temperature is usually between 375°F and 400°F (190°C to 204°C), and the time should typically be between 40-60 seconds, depending on the material. Make sure your heat press is preheated and that you’re using the correct pressure for the type of item you’re pressing.

Ghosting happens if you get an extremely faint, blurry shape or doubled effect of your design. It usually happens if you are trying to slide the material as it's being transferred and the ink shifts somewhat.

To avoid ghosting, make sure that your material does not move or shift during the heat transfer process.

It's also a good idea to use heat-resistant tape to hold the paper in place and prevent any accidental shifting. If you suspect that the paper is moving, apply more tape or adjust the pressure on your heat press.

If your prints begin coming out streaked or missing, it could be because of clogged print heads. It occurs when the sublimation ink clogs up in the printer's nozzles.

Lack of printer use or leaving the ink to sit for a long time can dry up the ink and clog the nozzles. To fix this, perform the printer's cleaning function to clean out the ink. Most printers also have head cleaning cycle mode to clear clogged dried ink.

If there will be long-term idling of your printer, do test prints first prior to working on a big job to ensure that printheads are clear and in working order.

Unlike infusable ink, sublimation printing needs different materials to deliver quality printing. So, printing with sublimation ink using normal paper, will yield lower quality prints with less effective transfers. Here’s the result of making this mistake:

However, if you use sublimation ink on plain paper, it will look washed out and faded. Regular paper absorbs the ink and does not hold it in a way that allows for high-quality prints, resulting in weak and washed-out prints.

Sublimation ink has to be heat activated to adhere to polyester or coated surfaces. As traditional paper does not have the necessary special coating for optimal absorption and retention within the fibers, most of the ink would stay trapped within the paper resulting in a failed transfer. And that's even if all your pressing it to a sublimation-friendly surface that will be woeful.

Because ordinary paper absorbs ink unevenly, the design can smudge, smear or otherwise be distorted. This is a huge waste of ink and paper making the absolutely inefficient and expensive process.

It might seem possible, but the answer is NO.

Standard inkjet printers use regular inks, either dye-based or pigment-based inks, which are designed for sitting at the surface of paper. These inks dry quickly and bond with the surface in a manner unlike sublimation ink.

On the other hand, sublimation ink requires a printer that is sublimation compatible. Sublimation ink has properties that only work when you use these printers.

They have heat-resistance technology, special print heads and ink delivery system that ensure that the ink is heated and vaporized correctly. Without having these features in your printer you might face bad prints or your printer might take a toll.

Sublimation ink is not simple to make in the home environment. It is a chemical process with intricate chemistry that requires chemistry knowledge as well as materials under controlled conditions.

The ink is a blend of dyes, solvents, and proprietary chemicals utilized in the manufacturing process to facilitate the ink to change from solid state to gas from exposure to heat.

This involves the process of sensitively mixing dyes and a solvent and getting the right molecular structure so the ink will stick to polyester or coated substrates.

While it might be intriguing to make your own sublimation ink, it is highly recommended to purchase commercial sublimation ink for some very important reasons:

• Consistency and Quality: Professional manufacturers ensure that sublimation ink is mixed and produced based on stringent standards. This delivers consistent color, quality, and performance that would be impossible to achieve through DIY methods.
• Safety: Sublimation ink chemicals can be hazardous, and their handling in an inappropriate manner can result in health problems. In commercial inks, safety standards are taken into consideration while manufacturing, so the likelihood of exposure to toxic chemicals is reduced.
• Optimum Performance: Sublimation inks are designed to function in specific printers and substrates. Printing with commercial inks ensures that the ink will perform at its best, flowing easily onto your products without clogging the printer or causing print defects.
• Convenience: Purchasing ready-made sublimation ink is a time saver. It removes the trial-and-error and guesswork from the DIY process and allows you to focus on your projects rather than wasting time on the ink formulation.

Sublimation ink is a unique printing solution that transforms solid ink into gas, sticking to polyester and coated surfaces for vivid, long-lasting prints. It's best for custom apparel, mugs, and other merchandise that requires long-lasting designs.

While it will not print on regular photo paper or cotton materials, its simplicity and good-quality results make it the perfect solution for particular purposes. Ensure you are making use of correct equipment and materials for the best results. Whether a hobbyist or a business owner, sublimation ink can be a lifesaver for your hobby works.