Dye Sublimation Paper 101: The Basics of Transfer Paper
Dye-Sublimation printing uses sublimating ink and sublimating transfer paper to deliver superior print results compared to other printing methods. While ordinary laser or inkjet printers spray the ink onto paper or fabric, sublimation-dye printing effectively traps solid ink particles into the fibers of whichever material you’re printing on. During the sublimation process, ink is first sprayed onto transfer paper to create a design on the paper first. This paper is placed in a heat press, along with the fabric you want to print on, to be heated at temperatures as high as 350—400 degrees . When heated, the sublimating ink changes into a gas that’s trapped between the fibers of your substrate—to solidify into a clear print when the substrate cools. The transfer paper is the most important component of this entire process—a special kind of paper capable of holding onto sublimation ink and that won’t burn when heated. Types of Sublimation Paper There are three basic types of t