5 Must-Have Features in a Dye Sublimation Consumables

Welcome to the world of dye sublimation printing! Home décor, soft signage and sports apparel markets have been experiencing steady growth, and dye sublimation printing is a great way for business owners to take advantage of this opportunity.

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Below, we outline what dye sublimation printing is and share five takeaways you need to know before getting started.

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What is Dye Sublimation Printing?

It&#;s the chemistry behind dye sublimation that makes it the correct technique for printing on polyester and polyester resin coated products. Using a wide-format inkjet printer, dye-sub inks are printed on a special transfer paper. From there, the ink is heat transferred from the paper onto a fabric by using a heat press. The ink changes from a solid to a gas (hence the term &#;sublimation&#;) and enters the polyester fibers.

The polymers in the polyester bond when heated, which allows the graphics to quickly become permanently embedded into your materials. As a heated gas, the ink becomes fully infused into the fabric instead of just printed on the surface, resulting in long-lasting, high-quality products.

Compared to inkjet printing on other materials like paper or vinyl, dye sublimation is a more involved process since it involves multiple steps. But don&#;t worry. With the right knowledge, dye sublimation can be an enjoyable and profitable business. Here&#;s what you need to know to get started:

1. You Can Print a Huge Variety of Products

As we mentioned, polyester and polyester resin coated materials are the perfect substrates for dye sublimation printing. Since these printers are available in various styles and sizes, you can print on an assortment of products including:

• Home décor
  • Upholstery
  • Window Treatments
  • Tapestries
  • Pillows
•  Sports apparel
  • Jerseys and related sports gear
• Fashion apparel and accessories
  • Dresses
  • Scarves
  • Ties
  • Bathing Suits
  • Hand bags
• Trade show and retail graphics
  • Backlit graphics
  • Silicone Edge Graphics (SEG): With SEG, graphics are printed on special fabrics that are designed to support a silicone strip on the edges. This is so that the print can be inserted into a frame, replacing the need for hard panel graphics. SEG gives trade show displays photo-quality imagery with a clean, frameless, clean appearance.
• Keepsake items
  • Cell cases
  • Mouse pads
  • Coffee mugs
  • Luggage tags
  • Clipboards
  • License plates

2. You&#;ll Need to Use a Specific Type of Ink

When you&#;re transferring your graphics from paper to fabric, the ink needs to convert from a solid state to a gas. Since the chemical process is very specific for dye sublimation, you&#;ll need to use a specific type of ink known as disperse dyes (commonly referred to as &#;dye-sub inks&#;).

These dyes are able to go from a solid state to a gaseous state in high temperatures and will easily bond to polyester fabrics.

The color gamut of disperse dyes is incredibly vibrant. And, some brands like Mimaki have introduced fluorescent inks that can be used to push the color gamut even further!

Since disperse dyes are permanently bonded to your finished products, the result is long-lasting graphics that are fully washable.

3. You&#;ll Need a Special Dye Sublimation Printer

While similar to other wide format printers, dye sublimation printers are specific to the dye-sub application. They use disperse dyes which are dedicated to print on transfer paper only.

Dye-sublimation is experiencing tremendous growth and there is a great selection of dye sublimation printers available from the best brands in the industry. Here are a few that the ITNH team highly recommend:

• Mimaki TS55: This 74&#; wide model is a leader in high-production sublimation printing.
• Mimaki CJV300-160 Plus: Combining high-quality, dye-sub graphics with contour cutting, the CJV300 is perfect for high-volume production on small items, like coffee mugs.
• Epson FH: Epson&#;s 64&#; roll-to-roll dye sublimation printer was designed for versatility.
• Mutoh RJ-900: This 42&#; entry-level model is a four-color, roll-to-roll printer, perfect for apparel and flags.
• Mutoh VJ-WX: A 64&#; model, this Mutoh printer is ideal for everyday printing on trade show materials, interior designs, apparel and more.

The wide selection of dye-sublimation printers available allows you to choose the perfect fit for your application and budget. Printers are available from 44&#; wide up to 10&#; wide.  Some are designed for the occasional job and others are capable of impressive factory production.

4. You&#;ll Need Additional Equipment

The dye sublimation process involves multiple steps, but they are simple and straight forward as long as you have the following items:

Heat Press
Your heat press is just as important as your dye sublimation printer. And just like your printer, heat presses are available in a variety of sizes, styles and price points. Here are a few of the most common types to give you an idea of what&#;s out there:

• Flatbed Press: If you&#;re transferring onto solid objects, a flatbed press is your best bet. Plus, they are great for printing t-shirts that require &#;all-over&#; designs.
• Calender Press: These presses use oil or electrically heated drums for heat transfer and are intended for apparel, décor and soft signage. Calender presses are best for high-volume printing.

Cutting & Sewing
Depending on your particular desired application, you may consider cutting and sewing options. Like the printer, these items range from simple and relatively inexpensive to large factory equipment. It&#;s best to talk with an expert to learn more about the equipment that will be your best fit.

5. Dye Sublimation is Affordable

With the assortment of equipment needed and the multi-step process, dye sublimation printing was once expensive and intimidating. The printers alone could run as high as $20,000, and that&#;s not even including the cost of a heat press.

Now, the market has expanded to give people more options to choose from and the cost of the equipment has been dramatically reduced. The technology has also improved, making the sublimation process much easier with even higher quality printing.

Some of the best names in dye sublimation printing, like Mimaki, Epson and Mutoh, now offer printers at $10,000 or less. And if you consider the potential that dye sublimation printing has for your revenue stream, this investment will be well worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does a dye sublimation printer cost?
A: You can find dye sublimation printers from the top brands (Epson, Mimaki, Mutoh, etc.) starting under $10,000. They&#;ll get more expensive as they get bigger and faster.  Also, keep in mind that you will also need additional equipment &#; like a heat press or a cutting machine &#; so your total package investment will be more than the cost of the printer.

Q: How long will a dye sublimation printer last?
A: As with anything, the higher the quality of your printer the longer it will last. A high-quality dye sublimation printer should have a lifespan of 10 years.

Q: How long with my dye sublimated item last?
A: Since the sublimation process involves the inks being chemically bonded to a material, decorated items permanent and washable. Fade resistance can vary from ink to ink and this should be discussed with a professional in the context of your application.

Q: How will I know how long an item should be sublimated for? And what temperature should the printer be?
A: This may take some trial and error since it will depend on the product you&#;re customizing. Typically, the following times and temperatures are recommended:

• For Polyester Fabric &#; 400F for 40 seconds
• For Hard Goods &#; We recommend a case-by-case trial

When in doubt, contact the printer manufacturer or your product supplier to get the right settings for your items.

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Sublimation Must-Have Supplies For Beginners

You are ready to start your Sublimation Journey, but you don&#;t know what you truly need. You may want a lot of things. However, there are just a few essentials that you must have to do Sublimation Printing. Today we will make shopping for Sublimation Supplies as easy as 1-2-3. 

These are all of the materials and supplies that I recommend so you will be able to do Sublimation printing. If there is a better option, I will also list that so you don&#;t have to spend HOURS reading, researching, and making costly mistakes. This is a great way to save you time as well as money when it comes to all sublimation crafts. The critical thing to remember is quality over quantity wins every single time, and every business has to start somewhere.

What Is The Best Sublimation Printer?

I went with the Epson WF- and converted it to a Sublimation Printer. However, you can buy Sublimation Printers, and one of the most common brands is Sawgrass. However, they are an investment. It is worth mentioning that the Epson WF- is no longer in production. So if I wanted to go with an Epson Printer, I would buy the SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer that is explicitly made for Sublimation .

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The Best Sublimation Printer in

For Beginning Sublimators, I suggest the following:

The Epson Ecotank : Works for oversized prints as it can print 11×17. The Epson Ecotank ET-&#; Epson EcoTank is the #1 Best-Selling Supertank Printer.

The Epson Artisan &#; is GREAT for T-shirt printing because it prints up to 13 inches! However, the price is a little higher so I would say this would be a midrange printer.

This is my first choice for the best sublimation printer in Some of the best sublimation printer choices include The SAWGRASS Virtuoso SG500-was designed for Sublimation Printing.

The Sawgrass SG&#; Is perfect for producing small products at high volumes, and it allows you to print on 11 x17 inch paper.

Remember, Sawgrass Printers contains everything you need to start your Sublimation Business: The printer, Sublimation Ink, Print and Color Management Software, and a warranty.

Intermediate or Professional Level- The Sawgrass Virtuoso VJ 628 Large Format Enhanced Sublimation Printer Kit

What equipment do I need to go into the Sublimation Business?

Sublimation Printer or one that can be converted

Computer/Tablet with Software Installed

Heat Press 16 x 20 is best

Sublimation ink

Sublimation Paper

Substrates or Blanks

Blowout Paper & Dispenser

Heat Tape & Dispenser

Practice Material

Lint Roller

Syringes with needle

Heat Resistant Gloves

Refillable Cartridges or CISS system

Repositionable Spray adhesive

Mug/Tumbler press and or Hat Press *If you are going to be doing tumblers, mugs, and hats.

Sublimation Shopping List

This Sublimation Shopping List will help you get everything you need to do Sublimation. Grab all of the items in our Amazon Storefront to get you set up for success.

Everyone needs to pick up a copy of the Sublimation Business Plan PDF. It makes planning your Sublimation Business easy and covers everything in case you need to borrow money for your business.

Below we will go into more detail about the above list. But I know skimmers like their lists; I&#;m one of those people also. 

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Sublimation Shopping List Explained

A Sublimation Printer or one that can be converted using Sublimation Ink. Some of the best sublimation printer choices include The SAWGRASS Virtuoso SG400-was designed for Sublimation Printing. The Sawgrass SG800&#; Is perfect for producing small products at high volumes. The Epson Ecotank : Works for oversized prints as it can print 11×17. The Epson Ecotank ET-&#; Epson EcoTank is the #1 Best Selling Supertank Printer. The Epson Artisan &#; is GREAT for T-shirt printing because it prints up to 13 inches! That&#;s on my wishlist!

Computer/Tablet with Software Installed-Not sure what design software to use? Check out the Best Sublimation Software. But some common software includes Cricut Design Space, Silhouette Studio, Canva, Infinity Designer, and Adobe Photoshop.

What kind of computer do I need for Sublimation? 

A computer can be a MAC or a PC. The computer for Sublimation can also be a desktop or a laptop. 

Prefer a tablet? 

Additional resources:
10 Things to Consider When Buying lamellars
The Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Purchasing Hot Oil Boiler

For more information, please visit Dye Sublimation Consumables.

Tablets also work for sublimation. An iPad will work as well. Make sure you have enough space left on your tablet for your design software. 

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Heat Press- A good heat press for sublimation ranges from 0 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. I prefer Heat Press Nation for my heat press purchases, and I suggest you buy the largest press your budget will allow. Mine is a 16 x 20, and it&#;s the perfect size for all my sublimation projects. 

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Sublimation ink-The Best Sublimation Ink is SubZone Ink. I recommend Pirate Jacks (now with Auto Fill Technology), Cosmos, or SubZone Ink. I&#;ve used all three, and they are amazing; I&#;m currently using SubZone and love the results. Plus, all three of those sublimation inks work with Epson Printers. I&#;ve heard great things about Hiipoo Sublimation Ink but haven&#;t personally tried it.

Sublimation Paper-In my experience, the best paper to use is the A-Sub Brand Sublimation Paper.

I started with Printer Jacks Paper but learned A-Sub holds the ink better and is a higher quality paper. 

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Practice Material-When first starting, especially when you aren&#;t sure your color profile will be correct, using a yard or two of 100% polyester to practice will save you a lot of money. I use my practice pieces of polyester fabrics for covering my printers and heat press when not in use. 

Blowout Paper & Dispenser-Butcher Paper or parchment paper will work as a barrier between your design and your actual heat press. This helps with preventing ghosting and protects your heat press. 

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Substrates or Blanks-This is the item you want to sublimate on and can range from mouse pods to blankets, apparel such as t-shirts, and everything in between. More examples of substrates are listed in the What is Sublimation Printing.

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Heat Tape & Dispenser-Heat tape secures your sublimation print to the substrate/blank. The dispenser is a MUST-have for heat tape that allows you to have both hands ready for the next step. (LINKS) Also called: heat-resistant tape

Lint Roller- A lint roller should be used on t-shirts and other soft substrates. It will keep you from having blue specks on your items, among other common sublimation issues. 

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Syringes with needle-this will allow you to fill your refillable cartridges or CISS systems. Some brands of sublimation ink come with them and/or have lids that will enable you to fill straight from the bottle.

Heat Resistant Gloves- Heat Resistant Gloves are handy for extremely hot items that protect your hands. Tumblers, mugs, metals, and glass are all things I sublimate on that require heat-resistant gloves.  

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Refillable Cartridges or CISS system-Depending on your sublimation printer, you will either have to have refillable cartridges or a CISS system. However, some printers already have them in the machine. But you should always keep an extra set on hand for your sublimation printer. 

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Repositionable Spray adhesive (not necessary in my book, but other people swear by it)

Mug/Tumbler press and or Hat Press *If you are going to be doing tumblers, mugs, and hats. Or a convection oven if you are going that route for mugs/tumblers.

Do I need a convection oven for Sublimation? 

If you are going to wrap mugs or tumblers, you can purchase a convection oven or a mug press. Both are optional, but please remember if you use a convection oven for food, don&#;t use it for Sublimation or vice versa. I have yet to take that leap. However, I&#;ve been doing my research, so I will be ready when it&#;s time to take the jump.

Sublimation Printing allows you to make various beautiful things without breaking the budget. Plus, it is the perfect small business to start in your own home, but it is a business that allows you to have a storefront if you choose to do so. 

What is dye sublimation printing? 

The Sublimation Ink starts in the liquid stage, solid state on the sublimation paper, and gaseous state when the heat applies the design to the blank. The final state is a solid state or solid form because it attaches to the blank. Read more in The Complete Guide to Sublimation Printing.

The sublimation process is explained in this image. 

Sublimation Printing is the artwork being transferred to an object in the form of gas by using heat.

The sublimation ink is printed using a sublimation printer paper and then allowed to dry.

After it dries (which takes very little time), you apply it to your project using a heat press.

The image is printed (infused) onto the printing paper, leaving very little mess and making it easy to do dye sublimation printing.

The transfer of the image happens when you add heat to the article to an object. Use a piece of Butcher Paper or parchment paper on top of the sublimation paper to protect your project and heat press.

Where do you get Images for Sublimation?

Images for Sublimation are usually digital files that you can get for free in some cases. However, in most cases, those sublimation designs have an additional cost. My favorite places to get sublimation designs are: Creative Fabrica, Design Bundles, The Hungry JPG, So Fontsy, Etsy, or making your own with software such as adobe photoshop.

Join us on Facebook in our Creative Dye Facebook Group to talk about all things Sublimation. 

Do I need a specific paper for Sublimation Printing? Can I use regular copy paper for Sublimation Printing? 

YES- What is Sublimation Paper? Check out this extensive post on Sublimation Paper. 

Do I need special tape for Sublimation?

Yes, it would be best if you had Heat Tape. It can be any &#;brand&#; of heat tape or an off-brand name. I&#;ve used Cricut brand tape in a pinch, but it&#;s a little more expensive in the long run. I&#;ve also read that painter&#;s tape can be used, but I&#;ve never done it because I&#;m a stickler for the rules like that. &#;

Do NOT use Scotch tape in place of Heat Tape because it will melt when using the heat press to sublimate your product.

Printing Sublimation Prints

If you want to print your own designs, you will need a sublimation printer, sublimation ink, and sublimation paper/transfer paper. You will also have to have a Sublimation Design Program. Then, to make finished products, you will need sublimation blanks, a heat press, heat tape, heat-resistant gloves, and butcher paper. Don&#;t forget packaging supplies for your finished products and bags for shipping and/or craft fairs. 

Basic Equipment needed to start a Sublimation Business

What supplies do I need to start sublimation printing?

Sublimation Printer

Sublimation Ink

Design Program/Software

Computer for Software

High-quality print files &#; Graphics in PNG/SVG files work great, but the choice of imagery or design you use must be high-quality.

Sublimation blanks

Sublimation Paper, sometimes called transfer paper

Heat Press or a variety of heat presses depending on your business type

Heat Tape

Heat-Resistant Gloves

Butcher Paper/Blow Out Paper

Packaging Supplies

Bags

What is dye-sublimation printing?

The process of Sublimation Printing includes some specialized equipment that is often converted to the use of sublimation ink onto a specific type of paper. The definition of Sublimation is when a solid material turns into a gas without going through a liquid stage.

Remember Sublimation Printing requires high temperatures, special ink, and a special sublimation printer to name a few things. There is a learning curve but the chemical process is one that is easily repeated time and time again after getting your settings correct. 

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What kind of Sublimation Printers are there? 

A Sublimation Printer can include an Epson ecotank printer, Epson Workforce printers and Sawgrass printers like the Sawgrass SG and Sawgrass Virtuoso Sg. But there are lots of sublimation printers to choose from, read more about the best sublimation printers -. Another factor to consider is how large you are going to be printing, so a large format sublimation printer might be something you consider. If you go with a large format printer you will have infinite possibilities, however, you will need a lot of space for those sublimation printers.

What equipment will I need for Sublimation?

This sublimation shopping list will help you get all of the equipment you need for sublimation.

What kind of computer do I need for Sublimation?

A computer can be a MAC or a PC. The computer for Sublimation can also be a desktop or a laptop. 

What computer is best for Sublimation?

A computer can be a MAC or a PC. The computer for Sublimation can also be a desktop or a laptop. 

What equipment do I need to go into the Sublimation Business?

Get our Sublimation Business Plan PDF to help you out!

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