Sublimation

 

SUBLIMATION CERTIFIED

Vapor Apparel garments that are Sublimation Certified℠ are specifically engineered for the sublimation process. When a garment is marked as Sublimation Certified℠, it means the color of the fabric will work with a wide swatch of sublimation colors, producing superior image quality.

 

DIGITAL SUBLIMATION PRINTING

 A full color digital print technology that works with polyester substrates and polymer coated substrates. Sublimation dyes are carried via liquid ink or gel ink through a piezo-electric print head and deposited on a high-release inkjet paper which is then transferred onto the substrate.

The result of this process is a virtually permanent full color, high resolution print that will not crack, fade or peel from the substrate under normal conditions.

Sublimation print technology requires a combination of time, temperature and pressure to “transfer” the sublimation dyes into the polyester molecules on the substrate from the high-release inkjet paper. The conventional equipment for sublimation transfer is a heat press. Most sublimation dyes start to sublimate at 350 degrees Fahrenheit but 380-400 degrees is recommended for most substrates.

Digital sublimation printing works on light colored, polyester or poly coated substrates. Athletic textiles, sports performance apparel, ceramic products and poly coated fiber reinforced plastic are some of the main product categories.

Digital sublimation printing is also used in the creation of trade show displays, snowboards, skis and skateboards. Digital sublimation printing is commonly referred to as "dye sub" printing, or simply "sublimation."

 

SUBLIMATION

Sublimation is the scientific term for a phase transition where a solid material changes directly into a gas without passing through the liquid stage. Sublimation is an endothermic reaction, and occurs when the right combination of pressure and heat are applied to a solid.

In digital sublimation printing, the pressure and heat from a press change the ink from a solid transfer sheet into a gas, which is then transferred at the molecular level onto a sublimation certified garment.

Most sublimation dyes start to sublimate at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, but 380-420 degrees is recommended for most substrates to attain maximum color. The time and temperature of the sublimation process is dependent on the type of fabric used for digital sublimation printing.