the pros and cons of sublimation inkjet transfers

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The Pros and Cons of Sublimation Inkjet Transfers

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Post on 12-Aug-2015

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The Pros and Cons of Sublimation Inkjet Transfers

Standard inkjet heat transfers are much different in that the inkjet ink is transferred with a polymer adhesive layer that encapsulates the ink and gives it stability. Inkjet heat transfers are made to work with most any inkjet printer and ink. It is the polymer adhesive layer that does all of the actual transfer work. The ink is printed onto the adhesive layer and it soaks in a bit. After the ink sets into the adhesive layer, the image is ready to be transferred. The heat press causes the adhesive layer with the image to release from the paper and adhere to the shirt.

After you have an inkjet printer set up and running with sublimation ink, the process is very similar to standard inkjet heat transfers with the exception of the substrates.

Inkjet heat transfers are made to work with most any inkjet printer and ink. It is the polymer adhesive layer that does all of the actual transfer work. The ink is printed onto the adhesive layer and it soaks in a bit. After the ink sets into the adhesive layer, the image is ready to be transferred. The heat press causes the adhesive layer with the image to release from the paper and adhere to the shirt.

After you have an inkjet printer set up and running with sublimation ink, the process is very similar to standard inkjet heat transfers with the exception of the substrates.

The art is created in the computer with any graphic software and then sent to the printer to be printed on the sublimation transfer paper. For textile applications, 50%/50% poly-cotton, polyester, nylon satin, or rayon fabrics are needed for the image to transfer via the aforementioned gaseous process. For other novelty items a polymer coating is necessary for the process to work. That means most of the items decorated with the sublimation method are made for that process and there are many such as can koozies, mouse pads, car flags, and colorful puzzles and cubes.

Inkjet heat transfers are easy to make and economical for the home hobbyist. The color saturation is greater and it does not require any special inks or dedicated printers. Some consumer grade papers can be purchased at local office supplies while more professional heat transfer papers are sold by commercial wholesalers.

The biggest problem with standard inkjet heat transfers is the polymer adhesive that will be transferred with or without ink. This means you have to "weed" all of the negative space out. Otherwise a "ghost" effect will be produced by the adhesive in these empty areas. The adhesive may tend to become brittle over time and form cracks. There are many types and brands of papers available which will yield various results in durability.

Inkjet transfer paper for dark garments is available but the transfer is often a heavy rubber or cloth material onto which the image is printed normally. This is then heat pressed onto the garment face up. It results in a very heavy,patchy image area which can often cause sweating underneath when worn.

Company: Nanjing Fei Yue Paper Industrial Co.,LimitedAdd: Li Ao Building,No.323 Central Road,Nanjing,Jiangsu,ChinaTel: 86-25-85288894Fax: 86-25-85288894Website:  www.feiyuepaper.com