What Paper is Suitable for Sublimation Transfer Printing

Before starting your sublimation business, it is very important to choose the right sublimation paper. So which papers should be suitable for sublimation? How should they be selected? This article will give you some tips.

What is sublimation printing?

Dye sublimation transfer printing is a technique of mirroring pictures and images on sublimation transfer paper using an inkjet printer with sublimation ink. In the base material, the color of the image on the paper is vividly transferred to the textile, porcelain cup, porcelain plate, metal and other materials through the new process.

What paper do you use for dye sublimation printing?

The use of sublimation paper must meet two conditions: one is a digital printer with a traditional micro piezoelectric print head, such as: Epson, Roland, Mutoh, Mimaki or with an industrial print head, such as Kyocera Ricoh, etc.

The second is thermal sublimation transfer ink, this disperse dye-based ink sublimates and colors the substrate at a temperature of 180℃-220℃.

You can check exactly what ink to use when you are ready to sublimate your design

Types of Sublimation Transfer Paper 

There are four main types of sublimation transfer paper on the market:

1. Thermal transfer paper (light-colored cotton) A4

   A4 size, light-colored cotton transfer paper, suitable for printing patterns on light-colored cotton garments. The pattern transferred through this transfer paper has a high degree of color reproduction, no wrinkle, no elasticity, no tearing, no cracking, and soft hand feeling. It is the best choice for transferring light and thin T-shirts and printing personalized cultural shirts!

2. Thermal transfer inkjet paper

   A4 format, with a delicate surface, it is specially used for the transfer of ceramics, metals, semi-cotton, silk and other materials. The transfer ability of special inks is not as good as that of sublimation paper.

3. Sublimation transfer paper

   Thermal transfer paper for polyester or blended fabrics for personalized T-shirts: suitable for printing patterns on light-colored clothes.

   The pattern transferred through the transfer paper has high color reproduction, good washing resistance and no fading. At the same time, sublimation transfer paper can be printed on cups, plates, pearl plates and other products, and the ink transfer rate can reach more than 98%.

4. Dark cotton transfer paper

   Heat transfer paper for personalizing t-shirts. Dark cotton transfer paper is suitable for printing patterns on dark clothes of various fabrics. The pattern transferred through this transfer paper has high color reproduction, no wrinkles, no elasticity, no tearing, no cracking, and can be transferred. On dark 100% cotton. 100% washable, won't peel or fade.

What should be paid attention to in sublimation transfer printing

1. Use sublimation transfer ink, good quality sublimation ink does not block the nozzle, bright colors and good stability.

2. Adjust the appropriate color density. Adjust the color density in the computer to avoid the situation where too much ink does not dry easily. After adjustment, the thermal transfer effect needs to be checked.

3. Adjust the appropriate hot-pressing temperature and time. The temperature range of thermal transfer is about 180-230°C, and the time is about 10-30 seconds. Before formal batch transfer, small tests should be performed to determine optimal process parameters.

4. During thermal transfer, the hot pressing surface must be close to the transfer paper without gaps, otherwise the transferred image will be blurred