Dye sublimation transfer printing technology is developing rapidly in recently and has a wide range of applications. Due to its low investment in equipment, outstanding printing effect, no pollution, resource saving and other reasons. Sublimation printing application prospect has a huge development space. Also Application fields of sublimation transfer printing technology have become more extensive. In summary, thermal sublimation transfer technology has the following four characteristics:
Good printing effect.
Heat Sublimation transfer printing technology has fine patterns to print fabric. Bright colors, rich and clear layers, high artistry, and strong three-dimensional effect. which is difficult to achieve by general printing methods, and can print patterns in photography and painting styles.
The printed matter is soft to the touch and has a long service life.
We can see that the biggest feature of dye sublimation transfer printing is that the dye can diffuse into polyester or fiber. Sublimation printed product feels very soft and comfortable, and the existence of the ink layer is basically not felt. In addition, since the ink has already dried during the transfer printing process. Sublimation image life of the image is as long as the life of the garment itself. No wear and tear of the printed graphics will affect the beauty of the fabric. Printing process is simple, the investment in equipment is small, the flexibility is strong. The authenticity rate is high. During sublimation transfer printing, multiple color patterns can be printed at one time without alignment.
Save resources and protect the environment.
Different from traditional fabric printing, sublimation transfer printing does not require post-processing such as steaming and washing, which saves a lot of water resources and no sewage discharge, which can save resources and protect the environment.
Factors affecting the quality of sublimation transfer printing
Dye Sublimation ink
Sublimation printing ink is the key material of sublimation transfer printing technology, it is mainly composed of disperse dyes, binders, solvents and a small amount of additives. Sublimation dyes are required to have good sublimation transferability and permeability, and reach a certain fastness index. The molecular weight is 230~380, and the sublimation temperature is 180-240°C. The commonly used transfer printing dyes include dyes, azo dyes and cationic dyes, etc. At present, dye-sublimation inks are divided into two types: water-based and solvent-based. Most dye-sublimation inks are water-based. Water-based dye-sublimation inks can used in various small-format desktop On wide-format inkjet printers, solve the problem of inkjet printing speed and width. The quality of sublimation ink directly affects the quality of products, so it is very important to choose high-quality sublimation ink.
Temperature time
Thermal sublimation transfer process requires temperature control within the range of 180-230°C, and the transfer time is about 1O-30s. At the same time, attention the reasonable allocation of temperature and time.
Pressure
Heat transfer Pressure is also one of the important parameters of the sublimation transfer printing process. Taking fabric sublimation transfer printing as an example. If the pressure is too small, the gap between the fabric and the transfer paper will be large. The round yarn and the ink gas molecules will collide with the air in large quantities. If appropriate the pressure , the yarn is flat, and the gap between the fabric and the transfer paper.
In addition to ink, temperature time and pressure that will affect the quality of sublimation transfer printing. There are some precautions worthy of our attention in the actual production process. The first is the selection of sublimation transfer paper. Stable quality and high reputation are the first choice for printing companies. The color difference after printing is very large. Sub inks generally look dark and dull before transfer printing. And rely on a high temperature of about 200°C to restore the color. This method is necessary to proof before printing and production. Finally, when heat transfer printing, make sure that the heat pressing surface, transfer paper and the surface of the substrate are in close contact with each other without gaps, otherwise the transfer image may be blurred.
