What Is

Dye Sublimation?

Dye Sublimation In recent years, a new way of printing designs onto fabric, paper, glass, and other media has come into popularity. It's called "dye sublimation," and it is the simplest method of imprinting a design. With just a digital camera and a dye sublimation printer, anyone can create a design that can easily be transplanted onto the garment of their choice.

The Process "Sublimation" is the name for the

chemical process when a solid object is changed into a gas, without first

becoming a liquid. Like the name suggests, dye sublimation relies on this chemical process, using a heat press to change the solid ink from a design into a gas. Once the ink turns gaseous, it is

fused to the garment it is being pressed with, leaving behind a clear,

photo-quality design.

What Equipment

Do You Need? Dye sublimation is a relatively easy way to print designs onto objects compared to other methods like screen-printing, laser treatments, or embroidery. All that's needed is:

• A dye sublimation printer

• Sublimation paper

• Photo processing software, installed onto your computer (such as Adobe Photoshop)

• A heat transfer press

• A digital camera and/or scanner to transfer designs onto the computer for printing (optional)

Printing a Design Once you're ready, print the design onto sublimation paper using the dye sublimation printer. Then, place the garment and the paper (design-side down) onto the heat press, and then activate the press. This will turn the ink printed onto the garment into a gas, which will then fuse with the garment and return to a solid state.

Some

Restrictions with

Dye Sublimation One of the biggest limitations with using dye sublimation is that the process only works on synthetic polymers. That means that dye sublimation cannot be used to print on 100% cotton shirts or other natural fibers (though it can be used on poly/cotton blends).

Also, dye sublimation does not work well when used to transfer a design onto darker material, making it best to stick to white and light colored cloth when printing. Color range can also be limited when using consumer grade dye sublimation equipment.

Dye Sublimation in

Industrial Printing Dye sublimation isn't just used by individuals with their home computers. It is also used on a larger scale, using industrial sized machines to print multiple garments at once. When done as an industrial process, dye sublimation can be used to create even more detailed and vibrant designs than can be done on a home printer.

Safe and Efficient In addition to being easier to use, dye sublimation printing is also less wasteful and more eco-friendly than other printing methods. The dye-based inks used in the process are safe to handle, and unlike the regular dyeing process, it uses no water and causes no contamination. Dye sublimation printing produces no waste, aside from the recyclable paper the designs are printed on.

Artex Group

Patches In addition to t-shirts, sweaters, and other types of clothing, dye

sublimation can be used to create custom patches. Artex Group uses dye sublimation to produce many

unique, complex patches for companies around the world, allowing them to display their

brand in vivid color.

About Artex Group

Since 2002, Artex Group has produced over 40 million embroidered patches for companies and organizations ranging from police and fire

departments, major corporations such as Toyota and Mazda, and small businesses across the country.

If you're looking for an innovative way to display your brand, get an instant quote at www.artexgroup.net or call 866-845-1042.

Summary

Dye sublimation is an efficient and environmentally sound method for printing designs onto clothing, glass, and other synthetic material. The process changes solid dye instantly into gas, which then fuses with the material. Dye sublimation can be done on an industrial scale or with a home computer using a special printer.