SUBLIMATION TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS
Sublimation is a little more complicated than simple heat transfer vinyl. But don’t let that scare you! Sublimation ink, when heated, turns into a gas that actually embeds itself into anything with a polyester coating. This creates a cleaner, more professional look while allowing for a much more detailed image than what heat transfer vinyl can offer. Shading, gradients and a rainbow of colors are huge benefits to using sublimation transfers. There is no difference in feeling between the image and the shirt. Sublimation must be used with at least 50% polyester (white or light colored garment) but will show better results the closer to 100% polyester your garment is (white or light colored garment). The higher the polyester content, the brighter and clearer your image will be. The lower the polyester content, the more vintage, faded or aged your image will be. Also, with a lower polyester content, you may see your image fade slightly with the first wash. Sublimation printing, also referred to as dye sublimation printing, is a printing method for transferring images onto a substrate (usually a cloth material such as polyester). Sublimation refers to a process where a substance moves from a solid to a gas state without ever being in a liquid state. Sublimation printing normally involves the use of a digital printer to produce mirrored images on paper that has been specially coated with a transfer material.
HEATING PROCESS
The transfer paper typically is placed into a heat press with the substrate and exposed to temperatures from 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows the ink and transfer material to move into the gas state. Once the ink and transfer material are in a gas state, they permeate the fibers of the substrate material.
INK TRANSFER AND BONDING
When the heat is removed from the transfer paper and substrate, the ink that has permeated the substrate fibers solidifies and is locked permanently into place by the transfer material. Assuming the procedure has been performed correctly, the image should never be subject to deterioration beyond that of the substrate itself.
*The above information was sourced from https://bizfluent.com
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
- Set temperature on heat press to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Set timer to 60 seconds.
- Set Pressure at medium.
- Place paper face down on garment. The garment needs to be at least 50% polyester and white or light color fabric.
- Press at 400 degrees F for 60 seconds with medium pressure
- Remove paper immediately and peel hot. Allow garment to cool.