The Beauty of Dye Sublimation
What comes to your mind with the term Dye Sublimation? Do you think of limitless potential? A variety of appealing vibrant visuals that you can't take your eyes off of? Or maybe you haven't heard of the term before, and want to know what on earth this even is.
The production world has come a long way when it comes to providing us with our home goods, apparel, and everything in between. There are so many options to choose from when it comes to your end product. Depending on your final need and intended use, you may have several options. I am only going to cover dye sublimation in this particular article though.
What is Dye Sublimation :
So what is this wonderful world of dye sublimation I speak of? I'll leave out all of the technical details, and just give you the gist. With special inks, paper, and heated machines you can print out almost anything you want and apply it to a product of your choice. There are a wide variety of products available such as textiles, ceramics, wood, metal, and more. Think of this process similar to when your are applying an applique to a garment, except that it is becoming one with the garment.
Limitless Color :
*Sigh* See all of that glorious color? Just sitting there decorating each little drop, waiting to capture someones eye. There is no doubt that we have probably always been fascinated by the colorful things around us. Causing us to search deeper in our visual appeals, and find various meanings and uses. This wonderful image can be captured with all of its color in the dye sub world.
Now I know I said limitless color, but there is a minor potential caveat. Depending on the supplier, your option for metallic shiny colors are limited. Technology is always advancing, and there are some alternative methods to help add metallics now. As a general rule though, you won't get that shiny foil look with the standard process and equipment.
Limitless Potential :
So we've confirmed you can grab all of the colors you want, and more. So then what are the limits? Technically speaking, there really aren't a lot of limits as far as what you can print and apply. There are some minor details and colors to consider when it comes to quality and expectations, but more on that later. So this potential I speak of?
- Photo of your family, pet, or a location? You bet.
- Company Logo? Definitely.
- Need a banner or advertisement? You got it.
- Digital creations, including advertisements? For sure.
- Favorite painting or something your toddler drew on the wall? Just take a photo and bam!
The list goes on and on, but you get the idea right? If you can digitize it, or already is digital, it can be printed.
So What Are The Products Made From :
You may be wondering what all can be used as a dye sublimation substrate. The wonderful news here is that there are a lot of options. Depending on what it is made from, its coating, and its heat resistance will determine if it can be used. These aspects are vital in order to ensure vibrancy, durability, and quality.
Fabrics will be polyester or polyester blends, as natural fibers have various limitations. These are the standard go to for fabrics, as they provide the best results with the most vibrant colors. Natural fibers, such as cotton, are generally not available in the dye sublimation world. There are a multitude of reasons having to due with not only the fibers, but also the science behind the process. Are there other options for this? Yes, but it will be very dependent on the manufacturer and their capabilities.
Solid items such as ceramics, stone, wood, and metal are an option too. The key here is generally in a coating that is applied to its surface, in order to allow for a successful result. Sometimes a solid option may not have a coating, but will still take to the process. The result generally means a less vibrant coloration, and shows more of the substrates color. These options are light or white in color, so any color coming through will be light.
Pros :
Print anything you can turn into a digital asset Complexity of print is mostly irrelevant
High Heat Resistance
No limit on colors (except for metallics), or charge per color
Durable and long lasting
Texture of product is felt, but not the print Vast variety of products and options
Care instructions, such as washing, are product based
Can add a coating for UV and/or Water protection
Options for local USA based manufacturing
Cons :
Limited or no metallic colors, dependent on manufacturer
Substrate must be white, or little to no color at all
Can't print white, substrate color will effect final outcome
Will fade in sunlight exposure, UV protection dependent on manufacturer
Conclusion :
As a whole dye sublimation has wonderful options for almost all of your product requirements. With its wonderful capacity to create durable long lasting options from almost any digital image. Making it a great option for your business, home decor, apparel, accessories, gifts, special occasions, birthdays, holidays, and more. A true crowd pleaser with its boundless variety of options.
Technology is always advancing with more and more options. Which will result in more being available with the dye sublimation process. Fortunately, there are many great options to choose from already.