Sublimation printing industry growing day by day and we have to update yourself for the latest technology. As we face different challenges daily. One of them which you may face is can you use sublimation ink on heat transfer paper? If you have a sublimation printing business and want to learn about it then this article is for you.
The simplest answer to this question is yes, you can definitely use sublimation ink on heat transfer paper. In fact, it is the most reliable ink for heat transfer paper. In sublimation printing, before design print on material it first transfer on heat transfer paper. Keep on reading for further details which are as follows.
Table of Contents
Can You Use Sublimation Ink On Heat Transfer Paper?
What is Sublimation Ink?
Sublimation ink is special type of ink. When heat is applied, it converts itself from solid to gaseous state without converting into liquid state. It uses in sublimation printing process. Sublimation ink is long lasting and recommended for a lot of products.
What Is Heat Transfer Paper? – Sublimation Ink Transfer Paper
A heat transfer paper is a special kind of paper coated with certain chemicals. It makes it more tolerant and receptive to high heat temperature. A little bit more compatible with sublimation inks as compared to regular paper. With a standard sublimation printer and correct sublimation inks, the risk of getting a blotched image on the sublimation heat transfer paper is minimal.
All you will have to do to get a perfectly sublimated t-shirt is select an image, adjust its size, and other details as per your liking. Once you are done, hit print. You can now heat press this image onto your desired t-shirt. However, you cannot do this without heat transfer paper. The sublimation inks will not stick to it, thus outputting a hazy blotched image. For more clarity we will more discuss on can you use sublimation Ink on Heat Transfer Paper?
Can You Sublimate on Heat Transfer Paper?
Yes, you can sublimate on heat transfer paper. heat transfer paper can be used for sublimation printing. Heat transfer paper is the essentials element for sublimation printing. In sublimation printing process the design is transferred to the material from paper. For this process heat transfer paper is necessary. In sublimation printing process, there is no restriction, we can use sublimation paper or heat transfer paper. Printing process will work fine for both of them.
Can You Use A Regular Printer To Print A Heat Transfer Paper?
For the purpose of getting a print on a heat transfer paper, you will have to use a sublimation printer. This will help you get the most perfect output you have ever imagined. However, while we are on this topic, I would like to further clarify that you can also use a regular printer to print a heat transfer paper. However, there are certain bold pointers you will have to bear in mind. First of all, it should be a laser printer. Secondly, it should be brand new. Thirdly, use sublimation inks. And finally, never try to use this printer for any purpose other than sublimation printing.
Can I Use Sublimation Ink on Dark Transfer Paper?
Yes, you can use sublimation ink on dark transfer paper. Sublimation ink is used with sublimation printing and it is used on light colored or white materials to achieve vibrant colors. The process involves the transfer of ink by using heat onto a surface that is coated with a special layer. There are also dark transfer papers available that are specifically designed to use with sublimation ink on dark fabrics or materials.
Dark transfer paper has a different coating that allows the sublimation ink to adhere to dark colored fabrics effectively. When heat is applied during the sublimation process, the ink sublimates onto the material and make a permanent and durable design.
I want to share onething that the quality of the design may be differ based on the particular brand and type of dark transfer paper. To get the best results, I will suggest you to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for both the dark transfer paper and the sublimation ink.
How Long Does Heat Transfer Fabric Last?
If you are wondering how long it will take to break the sublimation ink printing on your t-shirt? Then let me tell you that it takes about fifty washes to fade the colors away. It may take more or less depending upon the type of detergent and the way you handle your garments. But fifty washes are standard lifespan of a sublimated t-shirt.
Start-up Costs and Equipment Requirements
If you are thinking about getting a sublimation business started then you better start as early as possible. The start-up costs of this business are the lowest as compared to other businesses. You launch your business under a thousand dollars. All you need is a sublimation printer, a heat press machine, sublimation inks, and a bundle of heat transfer papers . The price may vary from brand to brand and product to product, but it shouldn’t be higher than a thousand bucks. So, what are you still waiting for? Gather all this equipment and start up your constant stream of income right now!
FAQs
Can sublimation ink be used in any printer?
If you are wondering whether you can use your extra sublimation inks for other printer purposes then let me warn you beforehand, it is a thoroughly risky step. You might end up wasting your time, sublimation ink, and the paper you use for that matter. The reason behind this is that sublimation inks are specifically produced for a material other than just a regular paper. Thus, it will have difficulty sticking to the regular paper and might spoil the paper. Moreover, the colors will also appear dull as well.
How to print on sublimation transfer paper?
Printing on sublimation transfer paper is the same as printing on regular paper. The steps are the same, just the materials are different. For instance, you will need a sublimation printer and specific sublimation inks to go with the printer. Next, just feed the ink and the heat transfer paper into the appropriate places in the sublimation printer and adjust the settings as per your liking. Once you are done customizing the settings, hit print! Beware, that the colors of the print will appear dull on the paper but this is mainly due to incompatibility between the ink and the paper.
How does heat transfer paper work?
Heat transfer paper acts as a bridge between a sublimation printer and the material you want to sublimate the ink on. You cannot put the material directly into the sublimation printer. So, you get the desired image printed on the heat transfer paper using the appropriate sublimation inks and then heat press that paper onto the fabric. This will effectively transfer the ink onto the fabric.
Can I use any printer for heat transfer paper?
No you can not use heat transfer paper in any printer because laser and inkjet printers has their own transfer paper. If you use inkjet transfer paper in laser printer, the paper will burn because it is not designed for laser printer. Similarly, if you use laser heat transfer paper in inkjet printer the result will be poor, low image quality.
Final Thoughts
Summing it all up, now you have got your answer of can you use sublimation Ink on heat transfer Paper? It is safe to conclude that yes, you can definitely use sublimation ink on heat transfer paper. In fact, heat transfer paper is the most suitable option to get a sublimation print on. The chemical coating on the heat transfer paper makes it more compatible with the sublimation inks. Thus giving out the most perfect results. If you don’t believe my words, then go ahead and try to use a regular paper for this purpose.
