Sublimation Transfer System adopting Desktop Inkjet Printer

Our Desktop Sublimation Inkjet System are offered as beginner and small and middle sized shops designed for applications with a printable width up to 22". All Epson desktop inkjet printers are ideal for: 

- Cost down, short run orders too small quantity 
- small order customizing in effective cost 
- Sampling and proofing works before longer-lasting or mass orders

With Sublimation users can digitally print colorful; high-resolution transfers for ceramic, metal, glass, wood, polyester fabric, plastic, and more. Simply print from most graphic design software to an EPSON desktop printer using our sublimation ink and papers. The printing will be transferred to desirable materials in the variety of products, such as mugs, mouse pads, plaques, T-shirts, flags, banners, and carpet graphics.

Sublimation Transfer System adopting Large Format Inkjet Plotters

Sublimation system for large format inkjet plotters is designed for applications that require printable widths of 24" up to 74". The professional and commercial users can produce the sublimation-transferred printings in a timely and cost effective manner: T-shirts, decorated apparel, promotional products, interior signage, POP design, carpet graphics, tile murals, tradeshow graphics, sporting goods and more.

Q & A about the sublimation transfer system

What are dye sublimation transfer inks? 
Sublimation describes the process of a solid substance changing directly into a gas or vapor, without first passing through the intermediary liquid state. The sublimation inks mean the dye colorant activated by heat that change into a gas when heated and have the property to bond with polyester or acrylic surfaces. Sublimated images are extremely durable against wash; scratch resistant because the image is protected within the surface.

How do sublimation transfers work? 
Sublimation uses a heat transfer process that employs special heat sensitive inks. Simply print clip art, scanned images, or computer-assisted artwork on an inkjet printer using high-quality paper and sublimation inks. The resulting transferred printing can be applied to a variety of surfaces with a standard heat press.

How are sublimation transfers different from transfer papers? 
Heat transfers created with color ink jet or wax thermal printers use a polymer coated transfer paper to fuse ordinary ink particles onto the surface of a substrate. The result is a "decal-like" transfer that can peel, crack, fade, and discolor over time. Sublimation transfers instead rely on special transfer inks or toners to transfer below the surface of a substrate. The result is a "tattoo-like" transfer that will not peel, crack, or fade and lasts for many years.

How is a sublimation transfer different from direct printing onto fabric? 
¡®Direct printing' is an alternative category that includes a variety of ways to digitally print on textiles. Direct printing involves printing directly to a coated and paperbacked fabric with an ink jet printer. A common misconception is that this is a more efficient process than sublimation, but both methods require finishing. The finishing process for direct printing includes both steaming and washing. Standard ink jet inks or specialty inks can be used but vary greatly in quality and durability. Coated or paperbacked fabrics for direct printing are limited, more expensive and easily wasted.

What are the limitations of sublimation? 
Sublimation inks transfer well to synthetic surfaces such as polyester and acrylic. They do not transfer to natural surfaces such as cotton, or dark colored surfaces. Over long periods of time, sublimation inks have limited color-fastness when exposed to direct sunlight.

What do I need to know about color management software? 
Every ink used in the printing industry requires color management to produce good clarity and consistent results.

What should I know about UV stability when using sublimation inks? 
Sublimation inks have limited color-fastness when exposed to direct sunlight. There are many factors that can affect the lifetime of your sublimated product: climate, season, geography, working time, temperature and pressure, the substrate and image density.

What do I need to get started? 
You will need the sublimation ink, color management software, a compatible desktop or large format plotter, computer, graphic design software, and heat transfer equipment (flat press, mug press, roll, plate press). The addition of a color scanner lets you create transfers from photos or other scanned artwork.

Do I need special transfer paper? 
Theoretically sublimation utilizes heat-activated inks, there is no special paper required. We are recommending the special paper adjusted to our sublimation ink to attain business and professional oriented quality.

Does sublimation work on 100% cotton T-shirts in addition to polyester T-shirts? 
It can not be transfer on the 100% cotton fabric in theory, that why somebody use 50 % polyester mixed or polyester resin sprayed T-shirts at least.