Sublimation Paper & Heat Transfer Paper: 13 Questions ...

1. What is Transfer Printing?

Transfer printing describes two different types of printing: Heat transfer printing and sublimation. 

Contact us to discuss your requirements of sublimation paper bulk. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

They both have their pros and cons, but they both tend to be more suited for different needs. There is still some ambiguity on sublimation and how it works, so we are going to take a look at the most frequently asked questions and try and provide a little more clarity.

2. What is Heat Transfer Printing?

Heat transfer printing is done using a specialist paper that is called transfer paper. You can use a standard inkjet or laser printer to print onto this paper with your normal ink. You then place the paper onto your clothing and use a heat press, or in some cases, you can use an iron, and peel away the paper.

Your design will then be stuck-on to your garment, and you will be able to see the transfer. You can use most heat transfer paper on a variety of fabrics, including most poly textiles and natural cotton. You can print on both light and dark-colored garments.

3. What is Sublimation?

Sublimation is a modern digital printing technique that is increasing in popularity. Search volume has increased by around 115% worldwide since 2004, according to Google Trends. It uses sublimation paper and heats to print your design.

We advise that you use this on fabrics that are 85% poly or more. This is because it is the poly fibers that open their pores to accept the dye. You can use a lower composition, however, your colors will be affected. You’ll end up with more of a ‘vintage faded’ look. You can also print on hard surfaces with a poly-coating, such as keyrings, jigsaws, mugs and so much more.

4. What is Sublimation Paper?

Sublimation transfer paper is a specialist paper that is used exclusively in sublimation printing. Made using a paper substrate, which is broadly based on normal paper. A special coating added to the paper holds the dye sublimation inks. The coating includes around 35% silica and 5% binder, based on the weight of the paper when it’s dry.

5. How does Sublimation Transfer Printing Work?

Sublimation doesn’t use any liquid in the process. Inks heated from their solid state on the sublimation paper, convert straight to a gas. It is a printing method that bonds to poly fibers, and because the poly fibers have been heated, the pores expand. These open pores then allow the gas into them, which then fuses to the fabric itself, before resuming its solid state. This makes the ink part of the fibers themselves, rather than just a layer printed on the top.

6. What Are the Steps for Using Thermal Transfer Paper to Make a T-shirt?

Sublimation is a two-step process. Firstly, you need to print your design onto the sublimation paper, using specialist sublimation dyes. The image would need to be mirrored but don’t worry about that, Contrado does that for you when you place your order, so all you need to do is create your design as you want it to look when it’s finished.

Then you need to press the design from your paper onto your t-shirt (or fabric or surface). This is done using a heat press which applies either heat and pressure or heat and a vacuum. Once pressed, simply remove the transfer paper, and voila, your t-shirt is printed.

7. Does Sublimation Paper Transfer onto Dark Fabric?

Sublimation is best suited to white or light-colored fabric bases. You can use it on darker shades, however, it will affect your colors. White ink is not used in sublimation printing. White parts of the design remain unprinted which shows the base color of the textile.

The benefit of sublimation over heat transfer printing is that there is a much broader range of colors. This means that you could print your background color onto the fabric rather than use a different colored fabric, and because of the advanced printing methods, the material would feel exactly the same.

8. Is heat transfer paper sensitive to humidity in the air?

Sublimation paper holds an enormous amount of moisture and humid air is not great for it. Exposure to humid air causes the sublimation paper to absorb it like a sponge. This results in image bleeding, uneven transfers, and color shifting.

Heat transfer paper is also sensitive to humidity. Inkjet or laser printing is more prone to dotting and color bleeding if there is excessive moisture in the paper, and as this form of printing applies a film, rather than being textureless, you may find that the transfer is not flat, or curls or peels at the edges.

9. Which is the right print side of the sublimation paper?

When working out which side to print on your sublimation paper, it is important that you print your design onto the bright white side. If you order sublimation paper from Contrado already printed with your design, you will be able to tell which side is the right side.

You’ll find that your colors look pale on the sublimation paper. This is completely normal and isn’t what the finished press will look like. Once transferred to your medium your colors will come to life! Another benefit of sublimation over transfer printing is that there is a much bigger range of colors.

10. Can thermal transfer paper be reused?

You can’t reuse your thermal transfer paper, whichever type you use. Although with sublimation paper, you may find that there is some ink remaining on the paper, it will not be enough to make a good-quality print.

With transfer paper, the iron’s heat melts the plastic lining on the paper, which transfers the ink to the fabric, as well as the plastic from the paper. This would be impossible to re-use.

11. What mistakes do you make when using a T-shirt transfer paper?

There are some common mistakes when it comes to designing your own t-shirts, other clothing, and items.

• Printing on the wrong side of the paper
• Applying too little pressure
• Applying too much or too little heat
• Putting the wrong side of the transfer to your fabric
• Incorrect positioning
• Not mirroring design*
• Press for too long (you can end up scorching or melting the paper)
• Using the wrong kind of inks on the wrong paper
• Using the wrong material (sublimation requires a high poly percentage)

*remember, if ordering through Contrado, we will do this for you, it’s important that you don’t do this step.

We always suggest testing on a small piece first, to ensure that you get the right amount of heat and pressure, before printing your full design.

12. What are the Pros and Cons of Sublimation?

Pros

• Color is permanently transferred to the fabric
• No liquid in the printing process, immediately dry
• Incredibly durable and super long-lasting
• Completely textureless design, even when all over
• Can be used on rigid products with poly-coating
• Prints full colors, perfect for photos and a Variety
• Inks have good UV resistance as standard
• Self-weeding (only transfers the ink to the fabric)

Cons

• Not great for dark-colored fabrics
• Requires a high poly content (85%+)
• More expensive to set up than transfer

13. What are the Pros and Cons of Heat Transfer Printing?

Pros

• Much cheaper to set up, and can use a home printer
• Can be used on 100% cotton fabrics
• Works with both light and dark garments

Cons

• Leaves a textured film on clothing
• It is only for use on fabric, and doesn’t work on rigid products
• Much less durable and fades a lot with washing
• Can crack and peel over time
• Cannot iron design (although you can iron the rest of the clothes)
• Not self-weeding (you need to cut your image out – especially on dark fabric)

Top 10 questions answered : 

1. On what products can I sublimate?

In order to understand why only certain items are good for sublimation, you will need to first understand what the process of sublimation is.  Basically, sublimation is when a solid turns to a gas without first becoming a liquid.  Dry ice is a great visual example of sublimation.  It goes from a solid state directly to a foggy gas as I’m sure you have seen many times in stage theatrics.  With dye sublimation, the ink is actually a gel that is printed on special paper, becomes a gas when heated, and then turns back into a solid state on the substrate.  Recommend products to sub on anything that has a poly coat. 

2. Do the shirts have to be 100% polyester.

Shirts for sublimation need to be at the very least, 50% polyester.  The higher percentage of polyester the better as the ink will only transfer to the poly fibers. 

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit sublimation protective paper supplier.

For best sublimation shirts we would recommend the following vendors:

Dnias Apparel: www.dniasapparel.com and Red Coat Design www.redcoatdesign.com

3. Is it possible to sublimate on 100% cotton shirts?

It is possible to sublimate on 100% cotton shirts, but it’s not as easy as you might think.  

• Cut a shape to match your design from white glitter flake HTV.  Tack it to the shirt at 365 degrees for two seconds.  Then align your sublimation transfer on top and press for an additional 60 seconds.  Glitter can be a little girly and it is quite thick.  I’ve used it, but it is not my favorite.  Unfortunately there is no flat HTV that can withstand the higher temps for sublimation.  The reason the glitter flake works is because of the glitter itself.

• Transfer Paper- Simply print your design on it and transfer it to the cotton shirt.  There will be a little bit of a film that comes off onto the shirt, but it will wash away with just one wash and leave you with a barely detectable “hand”.

4. Should I purchase an Epson or Sawgrass printer?

We love Epson the ink is not costly I recommend www.comos-ink.com. Sawgrass it is a little more expensive.  The ink is also more costly.  However,  many issues people come across with printers that are not designed specifically for sublimation. Sawgrass you won't have that issue of troubleshooting.

5.What equipment will I need to go into the sublimation business.

If you are just starting out in sublimation the main equipment you will need is a good heat press, a sublimation printer, and a computer or tablet for designing.  If you plan to add mugs and hats to your business, you will also need a mug press and a hat press. Smaller items you must have are often bundled with your printer or heat press.  They include:

• heat transfer tape
• crafting besties sublimation paper
• cosmos ink 
• adhesive spray for sublimation
• butcher paper
• Teflon sheets and pillows
• parchment paper

6. Do I need special tape for sublimation?

YES, you will need a special tape that can tolerate the high temperatures used in dye sublimation.  Do not use Scotch Tape.  Purchase your heat tape from your sublimation vendor.  There really are no substitutes.

Why do you need tape to begin with?  Tape is cheap compared to the price of your substrates.  More often than not, you will need tape to hold your design in place for pressing.

7.Why do I need a lint roller for sublimation?

Sublimation is permanent.  A lint roller will remove any tiny hairs or lint from your product prior to pressing.  This is a necessary step because once the item has been pressed, any lint or hair that may have been present will leave little white spots when it finally does come away from the product.

Again, lint rollers are a very inexpensive investment that will save you from having to redo a product.  

8. What is the best graphic design software for sublimation?

If you already have a graphic design software you are comfortable with, stick with it while you are just starting out.  The learning curve associated with Photoshop and Corel Draw is huge.  Both are amazing if you know how to use them, but if you are just starting out, I would recommend using what you know.

9. Why can’t I sublimate on dark colored garments?

It is not possible to sublimate on dark colored garments because there is no white sublimation ink. 

Even pastel colored shirts will not produce perfect colors.  As long as you are aware that white tees are the only ones that will result in true color prints, go ahead and experiment with the lighter colors.  We often use a light heather gray shirt as an alternative to white.
The main rule to keep in mind is your shirt needs to be lighter than the graphic you are transferring.  The darker the transfer, the better the turnout.

10. How much should I charge for custom sublimation items?

Much consideration must be given in order to decide the best price point for your custom sublimation products.  

• Where are you selling your items?
• How much time have you put into the process?
• What is your competition?

You will probably be able to sell your items at a higher price point in venues where there is little or nothing to compare your work.  If you are the only person selling custom sublimation items at a craft fair, for example, people will see what you have to offer and pay top dollar for it if it.  
You definitely want to be competitive with your prices, but keep in mind that lowest price does not necessarily win out.
Social media with your own online store may be the best way to go.  You can promote quality products at decent prices.  People will buy from you because they know you.  Just don’t over do it.  No one likes to see you on Facebook when all you are doing is trying to sell them.

A basic formula for deciding on price is:
wholesale x 3 + labor and other expenses.
Some unique custom items can go for higher than said formula.  Just do a little research, see what the going rate is, and adjust depending on your target market.

The company is the world’s best 100 gsm high tacky sublimation paper supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.