What & Why is Dye Sublimation?
Dye Sublimation is a printing process using small heating elements to evaporate pigments from a carrier film, depositing them smoothly onto a substrate. It can transfer a colored dye to a polymer by heat and pressure. As the dye is heated, it turns from a solid to a gas and then bonds with the polymer so transferring the color with it.

Dye sublimation is commonly used for chemical fiber, polyester, blended fabric with cotton content under 40 percent and coated glass, ceramics, metals, etc. During the printing process, the dye 'sublimates' or turns into a gas from a solid state under high temperature and permeates (enters the pores of) the fabric. When the fabric cools, the dye returns to a solid state and becomes part of the fabric. This is why you would not be able to feel a typical raised print on a dye-sub printed polyester fabric.

Sublimation key ingredients are heat, pressure, and dwell time. When the heating process is completed, the image on the paper has been transferred to the item and has become part of the surface. No surface protection is needed. During the sublimation process, the ¡åpores¡å of the item open up and accept the ink/image. When the item is removed from the heat press, the pores close and the inks revert to a solid state resulting in a permanent, durable image that can not be rubbed or washed off.

1. Sublimation will not work on 100% cotton material. So surfaces for sublimation need to be specialty-coated or polymer-coated to accept the inks.

2. To achieve the best results, dye sublimation should be performed on white or light-colored surfaces.ASC365 dye sub paper can be used on textiles, metals, plastics, ceramics and porcelains as long as they are poly-coated and have a surface that will accept the dye sublimation inks.

3. Sublimation conditions will vary depending on the heat transfer press being used. Internal testing found excellent results using 400¡ãF and a 30-45 second dwell time at 40-50 psi pressure. It is recommended to determine optimal temperature, pressure, and dwell time conditions for your heat press. 

Dye sublimation can be used in several applications. Most common applications include: clothing and fabrics (T-shirts, flags, tote bags), mouse pads, metal & plastic signs, license plates, coffee mugs, and custom ceramic tiles...