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Ink-Jet
& Sublimation
Sublimation also allows for bright colors and photograph quality
images to be transferred to a variety type of light colored Imprintables.
| | T-Jet
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ColorSpan |
Epson Printers |
Epson Ink & FastINK |
Xante Laser Printer |
Transfer Items
Plotters
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FlexiSIGN |
FastRIP & FastFilms |
Sublimation |
ChromaBlast |
Heat Presses
WHAT
IS SUBLIMATION? Click
here for printable PDF version
Dye sublimation is defined as the
process of solid dye particles changing into gas using heat and pressure, then
bond with any polymers (Polyester) present, and change back into a solid. Using
these inks and a special ink-jet paper, we are able to create sublimation transfers.
With a heat press and the accurate time, temperature & pressure we can complete
the process by applying the printed transfer on to one of a million blank products.
When the heating cycle is completed, the image on the paper has been transferred
to the item and has actually become a part of the surface. You can run your finger
across the surface of sublimation and you will feel nothing.
Sublimation
also allows for bright colors and photograph quality images to be transferred
to a variety type of light colored Imprintables. Another words, anything white
or light in color with a 100% polyester or poly coated will accept a sublimation
transfer. T-Shirts, Mouse Pads, Mugs, Ceramic & Glass Tiles, License Plates,
Business Cards, Trophy plates, Dog-Tags, etc…The possibilities are endless.
Sublimation does not use films that carry ink or toner that sits on top of
the fabric. Rather, it is a dye that penetrates the fiber of the fabric. Sublimation
can give you the nicest feeling transfer of any process. However, like with any
technology there are limitations. The substrates must be 100% poly and white or
light, this eliminates any dark garments from the sublimation process. Most of
the time the polyesters shirts are more costly than a 50/50 or 100% cotton. The
best way to sell sublimation is to show sublimation. Let your customers make the
decision. In the case of shirts let them chose between, screen-print, heat-transfer,
vinyl cut materials embroidery, etc…Price each shirt based on quantity and
technology. (Consider time, cost of blank, ink, thread, minimums, etc…)
One thing I can almost guarantee is your customer will tell you what process they
want and what they are willing to pay based on you placing it on their hand and
letting them make the choice. To get started in sublimation you will need
just a small investment. A computer with a graphics program, usually a scanner
and or digital camera, a printer which can or is running sublimation inks, a print-driver
to tell the printer what substrate you wish to heat apply to, a heat-press (mug
press and cap press, if you wish to imprint those items) and products to sublimate.
All of which Lawson Screen & Digital Products can assist you with.
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MAKING MONEY WITH SUBLIMATION
The
time required to print a sublimation transfer is determined by the size, the ink
coverage and the speed of the specific printer. A large image having 100% color
coverage on a smaller format printer is going to take 3-4 times longer than a
smaller image with moderate ink coverage on a newer and larger printer. The other
time factor in heat applying the transfer is determined by the substrate being
used. On the low end fabric transfers can take as little as 25 -35 seconds to
complete. On the high end, more dense materials like tiles may require 4-7 minutes
(depending on size) to give optimum color reproduction. Margins on these products
can range from 100% to more than 1000% depending on the quality and novelty of
the item being used. Knowing your local market is important. Health clubs,
gyms, running clubs love the micro fiber sublimation shirts. Realtors are always
looking for unique gift ideas for their clients. Personalized cutting boards,
tile trivets featuring the new home make memorable choices. Anyone with a car
could enjoy a custom license plate featuring a favorite interest along with other
personalization. Mugs are a perennial best seller particularly with a special
photo, logo or phrase. One of our largest sublimation customers says that
he loves selling sublimation products particularly on the hard surface substrates
like the license plates, mugs and dog tags. He says that the vividness of the
photo is striking. The depth of the color saturation is amazing. He feels great
about selling sublimation because his customers are getting phenomenal products.
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DYE SUBLIMATION START-UP PACKAGES
Congratulations
on your decision to enter the lucrative market of selling customized heat transfer
items. Lawson Screen & Digital Products has developed strong relationships
with the transfer paper mills, heat press manufacturers, ink companies and the
other necessary suppliers to provide you a One-Stop Source for all your Heat Transfer
needs.
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TYPES OF SUBLIMATION PRINTERS - Buy
Epson Printer
Epson printers are most common used
because of the piezo printheads used are more suitable for dispensing the sublimation
inks. However, not all Epson printers  are
used because the ink manufacturers will only select specific models in various
size formats at a given time.
We recommend that you buy a separate printer
for sublimation use. Switching back and forth between sublimation and regular
inks is not recommended when you mix the two ink types neither
ink type will do the job that it was designed to do. To clear ink out of the lines
is an expensive proposition.
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TYPES
OF SUBLIMATION INKS - Buy
Sublimation Inks
 Sublimation
ink has dye particles that do not bloom or attain their full color until they
are exposed to high heat (about 385- 400 degrees F). So the color that you see
on the sublimation transfer paper will not be the same color that will be produced
on the sublimation product after the paper has been transferred in the heat press.
That is why having a good color control program is critical.
ArTainium
UV+ inks utilize a proprietary method of dye particle encapsulation. This procedure
is a factor in making them the most UV resistant sublimation inks available on
the market. Stringent manufacturing and quality control procedures ensure stability
and consistency. The new and professionally created ICC color management profiles
provide stunningly accurate and consistent color control management, in addition
to increasing average page yield.
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SUBLIMATION IMPRINTABLES - Buy
Imprintable Blanks
All  sublimation
products must be either polyester, specific plastic materials (like FRP) or coated
with a plastic coating that will be receptive to the sublimation inks. The sublimation
inks are not compatible with natural materials like cotton, silk, wood etc.
Some of the more popular and interesting products that can be customized using
sublimation include high tech apparel, glossy finish puzzles, license plates,
jewelry, holiday ornaments and can or bottle insulators.
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TYPES
OF HEAT PRESSES - Buy
Heat Presses
Flat platen heat presses are the type
of heat presses that are used for at least 90% of the sublimation products. These
flat presses are available in basically two designs either a clam shell press
which is hinged at the back or a swing away press which allows the top platen
to swing or move to the side. If shirts and other thin items are going to be the
main products then either style press will work well. If thicker products, like
tiles are going to be pressed, then the swing away press may be a better choice.
The flat platen presses start as small as 9” x12” and go to 20 x 25”
in standard production models. Custom presses in much larger sizes can be ordered
from several manufacturers. 
For products having a curved surface special presses are available. The mug
press is specially designed to close around the curved surface of a mug or stein
while applying even heat and pressure. Cap presses are easy to use and
very popular for sublimation. Some presses can be ordered with interchangeable
platen sizes to accommodate the various types including golf, baseball and youth
caps
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