The sublimation printing process

So how does sublimation work?  Sublimation printing uses heat to essentially bring ink and product together as one.

First, a design is printed onto special paper. The inks that are used turn into gas when brought under heat, then combine with the product and permanently print onto the fabric. The effects are permanent and less prone to fading, as the ink is embedded in the product rather than simply laying on top like a normal print.

The process is almost like a tattoo, but instead of for your skin, it’s for your chosen product. The heat opens up the pores of the fabric, then with the applied pressure the ink cools and returns to a solid form.

The result is a permanent, full colour image that won’t crack, peel or wash away from the substrate. The process allows the ink to go from a solid to a gas without turning to liquid, a bit like dry ice. The conversion is initiated by heat and controlled by pressure.