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Our Top Tips For Successful Dye Sublimation
Gus Altmann • Sep 11, 2020
It doesn’t matter whether you’re printing fabric for garments, mugs, stubby holders or even general prints - if you follow our top tips for dye sublimation, you can rest assured that you’ll get the best possible results each and every time.
- Look after your printer
A printer that isn’t in perfect working condition will produce poor quality prints. So ensure that you store and operate your machine, inks and paper within the recommended environment. Always leave your printer powered on when not in use and perform maintenance as required. - Come to grips with your graphics application
Knowing how to manipulate an image within your graphics application - such as resizing or enhancing its overall quality - is key to producing a quality finished product. There are many courses and training resources available to help teach you the basics of most popular graphics applications. - Use impressive images
Keep in mind that your printer will only reproduce your artwork, it won’t improve it - if it starts out poor quality, it’s still going to be poor quality once printed. This is why you should always use high resolution images with great clarity and vibrant colours to ensure the best possible results. - Know your time, temperature and pressure
Ensure that you know the right time, temperature and pressure settings for your heat press and the substrates you’re using. Every substrate brand requires specific settings, and these may vary from press to press. It’s also a good idea to check the calibration of your press every now and then. - Choose suitable printer settings
Using the correct colour management software will help to streamline the printing process, but there are still some settings that need to be selected to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Keep in mind that these settings will vary depending on your selected graphics application. - Monitor your ink cartridges
Remember that all ink cartridges have a shelf-life - and for good reason. Over time, the chemical makeup of the ink can change, which can affect the colour output and even has the potential to damage your printer. There is an expiry date printed on the cartridges, so be sure to monitor them. - Arrange your workspace
Sublimation setups can vary in size from around A4 to over 3 metres wide, so plan your workspace carefully. Keep your printer at least 1 metre away from heat sources and ensure that the room is kept between 15 and 25°C. You’ll also need a preparation area to apply transfers and a cooling area.
Whether you’re new to dye sublimation or just looking to hone your skills a little, we hope that you find our above list of tips helpful in getting the best success for your business. Need help choosing a printer or consumables? Machines Plus is here to help.
