InkTec's Dye Sublimation Sublinova ink for
Epson Sublimation Printing has been developed on the base
of the 12 year ink development know-how, and InkTec has supplied
the suitable ink to the large-format printer applying the
technology possessed. The Ink has been formulated to make
images transfer well by using heat and pressure, that the
colour on the substrates can be deep and brilliant. For smooth
ink flow without head clogging, moreover, we make particle
size of dispersive dyes smaller under 100nm (0.1um) and use
the high class dyes in light-resistance grade to keep the
colour. Now, you can get long lasting head and colour.
Is Dye Sublimation Printing
ok for me?
Do you want to print on hard surfaces
such as porcelain mugs, plastic plates then Dye Sublimation
printing is the answer!
Dye Sublimation is the method of
applying an image to specially coated ceramics, metals and
polyester cloth, using three main ingredients: sublimation
ink, heat and pressure.
Sublimation ink is unique in its
ability to convert from a solid to a gas without going through
a liquid form. (Just like dry ice.) The conversion is initiated
by heat and controlled with pressure and time. Hard items
such as ceramic, fibre board, metals, etc. require a special
coating to accept the sublimation inks. You must purchase
the mugs, tiles, metals, etc. with the coating already on
them, it is not something you can coat yourself. When you
apply to 100% polyester (e.g mouse mats) you do not need
any coating, it is applied directly to the 100% polyester
fabric.
You can purchase dye
sublimation ink recommended only for certain Epson /
Mimaki / Mutoh / Roland ink jet printers to do sublimation
printing. Epson do not supply the printers with these specialty
sublimation inks but by installing a CIS system for example
The sublimation inks are something you would need to buy
from a specialist ink supplier such as us and the heat transfer
paper that you would print these inks. The heat transfer
paper for sublimation printing has a coating on it so the
inks do not soak into the paper. After you print the transfer
paper it is then placed on the product to be applied with
a heat press.
PLEASE NOTE:
You can switch your printer back to using regular inks at
any time. However, it is not practical to switch back and
forth. If you are setting up a Sublimation Printing System
do not expect to use the same printer for other purposes.
Dye sublimation
is a process that uses a special heat sensitive dye to print
graphics and text onto paper. This is called a transfer.
The paper is then placed on a sublimatable item and both
are placed into a heat press for about 20~45 seconds at
180-230 degrees.
When the cycle (sublimation) is completed, the image on
the paper has transferred to the item and has actually become
a part of the surface. If you run your finger across the
surface of a sublimated plate you will feel nothing.
The reason for this is that sublimation is always done on
a polyester, polymer, or polymer coated item. At high temperatures,
the solid dye converts into a gas without ever becoming
a liquid. The same high temperature opens the pores of the
polymer and allows the gas to enter. When the temperature
drops, the pores close and the gas reverts to a solid state.
It has now become a part of the polymer.
For this reason, true dye sublimation cannot be done on
natural materials, like 100% cotton. Natural fibers and
non-coated materials have no "pores" to open.
Inkjet printers use a liquid filled inkjet cartridge that
has a suspension of the dye in it and requires transfers
to be printed on special coated inkjet paper. The printer
should be dedicated to sublimation, as the cartridges cannot
be easily or cheaply switched with regular cartridges, for
regular document printing.
Dye
Sublimation Inks
Dye Sublimation
Ink has been used in printing on the materials as Mug, Tile,
Wood, Polyester, Nylon, Plastic, etc that impossible digital
printing. The method of use is like with digital printer
cartridge.
After image printing on the transfer paper, the image can
be transferring the materials on the high pressures and
temperatures
Characteristics
Dye Sublimation Ink have the characteristic of dyes. It
is different with digital printer inks. The brilliance and
clearness of an image has been influenced by sublimation
of the ink. Sublimation ink can be realize the customer's
needs that get more brilliance and clearness color by even
sublimation of all color on the wide range of the temperature
about from 160°C to 180°C compared with existing dye sublimation
ink.
It is possible transfer on the low temperature as 160°C
and can be apply to all kinds of materials. Also sublimation
solves the problem of the precipitation that exists with
dye has and sublimation ink has durability. There is no
appearance of spreading on the materials. It is excellent
for colour brightness and exposure and there is no difference
of the tone of colour compared with general inkjet cartridge
(Epson Stylus, HP..etc)