What is Dye Sublimation?

Dye-sublimation printing is a digital printing technology using full color artwork with polyester and polymer-coated substrates. Dye-sublimation can be used for soft substrates such as apparel, soft signage, banners and flags, or hard surface items such as glass, plastics, metals including cell phone covers, plaques, coffee mugs, and more.

Sublimation is the chemical process of turning a solid into a gas without it becoming a liquid. In sublimation printing, sublimation dyes or inks are used and transferred to coated, heat-resistant sheets of “transfer” paper through a special sublimation printer. The ink is released into the transfer paper and the paper is then placed on a heat press along with the substrate to be sublimated. The Ink transitions from solid to a gas state without going through the liquid stage, binding with the polyester receptor. The heat press process applies temperature and pressure to “transfer” the sublimation dyes from the paper into the coated substrate.

The result is a permanent, high resolution, full color print. Because the dyes are infused into the fabric or hard substrate, the prints will not peel, crack or fade under normal use. Advantages of dye sublimation – excellent quality, ease of use and no fading or distortion over time.