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)