Sublimation paper and the humidity of your working environment
Feb 17, 2022
Low humidity: In the humidity under 45%, it’s better to choose 80gsm. When in low humidity, the paper shrinks, and the print side is hunched-up. During the process, the paper absorbs ink, which leads to the “hunch-up”. 100g and 120g paper are harder than 80g, so the “hunch-up” damages the print-head. 80gsm is softer, it could relieve the “hunch-up” and protect your print-head from damage.
High humidity is defined as 70% or above. It is preferable to go with 110–120 gsm. The paper will get softer and weaker at the same time since it is highly susceptible to being wet in high humidity. It will be difficult to print neatly on light weight paper due of its decreased stiffness and hardness. Right now, 110–120 gsm is the ideal option.
Uses of Sublimation Paper
Apparels: Lycra materials, cycling, Polyamide, Swim & Surfwear, 100% polyester (stretch), running, ice hockey wear, Sports and functional textiles.
Home Usages: Curtains, Blinds, Cushions, Table Covers, Towel Cleaners, etc.
Advertisement: Flags, Banners, Felts, Gaming tables, Home Textiles.
Sublimation paper may be used for sublimation transfer, which allows for the printing of pictures with mirror reversal via gravure, screen, inkjet, and flat printing. After that, use pressure and heat to transfer the image onto the medium, causing the ink on the paper to turn gaseous and mix with the medium.
Heat transfer paper is used for heat transfer, which is the process of printing pictures onto media using gravure or flat printing, then combining the two to transfer the image onto the medium by heating and applying pressure.
Ink and Media Ink: Sublimation paper is used with sublimation ink. Heat transfer paper is used with sublimation ink, pigment ink, solvent ink or others. Media: Sublimation paper can be transferred onto polyester, mouse pad, banner and hard surfaces, such as mugs, ceramic and aluminium plate. But heat transfer paper is usually transferred onto cotton.
For dye-sublimation to be successful, the two steps below must be followed:
using sublimation inks to print designs onto specialized transfer paper.
The ink on paper is transferred to the intended object using a heat press.
Four Heat Press Types
Compact Size Thermal Printer
If you want to sublimate on t-shirts and little objects like hats, mugs, dishes, and shoes, you utilize this equipment.
Calendar Heat Press
These heat presses are large format presses that are built for flags, large exterior banners, and other large soft-signage applications, as well as day-to-day soft signage and fabric sublimation. With the addition of table attachment to your calendar unit, users can cut and sew apparel pieces.
Flatbed Heat Press
Although they can’t effectively manage the kind of rolls and fabric sizes that a Calendar heat press can, flatbed style heat presses are versatile presses that can heat transfer onto fabric as well as aluminium, hardboard, floor mats and other unique media.
3D Vacuum Heat Press
A 3D vacuum heat press is a compact desktop machine that allows heat transfer onto materials with a curved edge or shape. Sublimation blanks and pre-treated objects, such as smartphone covers, mugs, picture frames, sporting goods, buttons and others available for sublimation by this device.
