Introduction to sublimation paper
Sublimation paper is a type of paper that is used exclusively in printers for sublimation printing, and its main function is to transfer ink to the substrate. This paper possesses ink-absorbent properties that allow the ink to adhere to it briefly.
The paper is coated with a specialized ink-absorbent coating, which allows the ink to be printed onto the substrate after it has been laminated with a heat press. The so-called sublimation printing is actually a fixed ink and paper with a printer for printing and transferring operations!
From the appearance, you will think that sublimation paper is no different from ordinary copy paper, but when you actually use it, you will realize that ordinary copy paper can not absorb ink and transfer prints because it does not have a specific coating.
The quality of the sublimation paper is linked to the actual result of the transfer. It is important to note that a good printer using a bad sublimation paper will not produce the same results as a bad printer using a good sublimation paper.
There are many types of sublimation paper on the market, and the various manufacturers of sublimation paper use different production processes. So it is not the more expensive the better, you need to choose the right paper for your printing!
Characteristics of sublimation paper
What is grammage?
The most significant feature of sublimation paper is that it has the concept of grammage, followed by the size and the visual effect of the pattern after transfer. The grammage of paper on the market ranges roughly between 90 – 125 grams, the higher the grammage means the thicker the paper!
Higher grammage sublimation paper usually has a thicker coating, and a thicker coating means better ink retention. Thicker coatings mean better ink retention. Which is an advantage when you are using a printer to print complex images.
Especially if the image has multiple layers and the top and bottom layers have different colors. Using a high grammage paper will make it easier for you to print in a single pass! It also ensures that the colors of the image are full and vibrant.
Sometimes a small difference in grammage doesn’t make a big difference. It depends on the ink used for your image. Lower grammage papers offer the advantage of faster transfers for increased productivity.
If you’re printing an uncomplicated pattern and are printing large quantities. Then you may want to consider using a lower grammage paper. Usually the durability of paper is similar between grammages.
Lighter paper weights are more likely to cause movement, ink bleed and ghosting, and if the surface of your paper looks dull and faded like a t-shirt. It may also be related to the light weight of the paper.
What is size and visualization?
Sublimation paper has the concept of size, commonly divided into 30cm to 60cm, there are also non-standard sizes of this kind. You can find manufacturers to customize. The size is related to the suitability of the transfer pattern and the needs of the printer.
Small printers generally use 30cm sublimation paper size can be. Larger printers may or may not use paper. Some larger units can sublimate directly onto the substrate, but those are usually more expensive.
It is important to note that sublimation paper comes in sheets and rolls. Generally speaking, the sheet size is not too wide and is more suitable for smaller sublimation printers. Rolls of paper can be customized to be extra wide and are more suitable for medium to large printers.
Looking at the visual effect of the sublimation paper is really looking again at the integrity of the image on the substrate. Paper is a key part of the transfer, and if it doesn’t give you a complete image, then your plans for this production are hampered.
If you are experiencing image ghosting or discoloration after the transfer, then the paper could be the cause. Especially when printing on fabrics with stretch, the use of high penetration inks can result in a “whitened” print if the wrong paper is selected. This is not always a problem with the paper. But sometimes it is also related to the ink and the heat-pressing temperature, or the printer.
Sublimation paper on the market basically does not claim to be 100% successful. This is because the printed image itself is uncertain! Especially for large wide format printing, the print image has a great deal of difficulty in transferring.
How to use sublimation paper
First you need to print the ink onto the sublimation paper. Depending on the needs of the print pattern and the substrate to determine what kind of paper to use. Secondly, the printed paper will be laminated and transferred to the substrate through a heat press.
Sublimation paper is usually only used for printing. However, it is often the case that the paper leaves a lot of waste because the pattern does not completely cover the paper. In this case you can recycle the paper to see if it can be used in other printing projects.
Good paper and a good printer are a very good match! This is why many printer manufacturers will recommend that you use the paper they produce. Paper is much more compatible than sublimation ink, and almost most papers can be shared.
On which substrates can sublimation paper be used?
Exploring who this paper is used for is really exploring sublimation printing itself, which generally works on these substrates:
- Specific fabrics: polyester fabrics can be used for sublimation paper for transfer printing, generally the best light-colored fabrics. In addition, the individual can withstand the high temperature generated by the transfer of fabrics can also use paper for transfer.
- Gift industry supplies: such as mugs, cell phone cases, mouse pads, these can use sublimation paper for transfer printing. Individual gift items can also be coated with special coatings to make paper transfer success.
- Outdoor supplies: flags, backpacks of specific materials can also be printed using paper. But it is best to transfer on a substrate with a smooth surface. If there are irregularities in the surface, it may lead to incomplete printing patterns.
Conclusion
Sublimation paper is a type of paper that is specialized for sublimation printing and its appearance does not look much different from the regular paper. Sublimation paper exists in concepts such as grammage and size, visual effect, etc. All you need to do is to choose the right paper for printing.
