Glossary

Dye sublimation

Thermal sublimation, also known as dye sublimation or thermal transfer printing, is a printing process in which dyes are transferred to a substrate using heat and pressure. The process is often used to produce high-quality prints on various materials such as paper, textiles, plastic films, aluminum foil and other materials.

The process of dye sublimation is described in more detail below:

Preparation of the print motif: First, the print motif is created on the computer and saved as a high-resolution digital file. This file is then transferred to a special printer equipped with dye-sublimation technology.
Preparation of the backing material: The backing material is applied to a special roll of transfer paper. This roll consists of a thin, coated layer that melts at high temperatures and bonds to the print motif. The carrier material can consist of different materials such as paper, textiles, plastic foils, aluminum foils and other materials.
Printing the motif: The printer prints the motif in reverse on the transfer paper. Special thermal sublimation ink is used, which consists of a solid dye and a carrier material.
Transfer of the motif: The printed transfer paper is now applied to the carrier material and bonded together using heat and pressure. The dye melts on the transfer paper and is embedded in the carrier material. As soon as the transfer paper has cooled, it is removed from the carrier material and the finished print motif remains on the carrier material.

Advantages of dye-sublimation:

High print quality: The prints are very detailed, have a high resolution and are durable.
No smudging or fading: the print is waterproof and will not fade from exposure to the sun.
Versatility: Dye sublimation can be applied to a wide variety of materials, including textiles, paper and plastic films.

Disadvantages of dye sublimation:

Cost: Dye sublimation printers are more expensive than traditional inkjet printers.
Complexity: The process of thermal sublimation requires several steps and is more complex than other printing methods.
Limited Materials: Dye sublimation can only be applied to materials that melt at high temperatures, which limits the choices.