What Ink is Used for Sublimation?

Admin   10 Jun 2025 | 05:30 AM

Sublimation inks refer to inks used in the sublimation process, and this article will take a closer look at the merits and demerits of sublimation inks and the areas of their use.

Sublimation printing is one of the market's widely used digital printing technologies. In this technique, the design is transferred from a sublimation paper to a substrate or fabric.

If making sublimation ink is on the agenda, it is possible to use a sublimation-specific printer that can produce professional quality. Some known printers for this purpose include inkjet printers that simplify converting to sublimation. Sublimation ink cartridges are typically used in printers and contain a liquid with particular dye particles.

Sublimation is changing state from solid directly to a gas phase without passing through the liquid phase. For this change to occur, sublimation ink is designed in a unique way that can enable this change. 

These ink types have their advantages and limitations, as follows. In this article, the author tries to make clear what sublimation ink is and how it works, as well as to describe the possibilities of its usage in different industries. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of these inks in these fields is also essential.

What Are Sublimation Inks Printing?

Sublimation ink refers to ink that has been designed so that it can be used in sublimation. It is not the same ink used in any standard office laser printer that is commonly available. There are two types of sublimation inks commonly used: 

Aqueous-based sublimation inks dyes and Solvent-based sublimation inks dyes. 

It is intended to heat the substance and convert it directly from a solid to a gaseous phase. It is a specialized ink made from ink particles and designed to be used with sublimation printers only. 

The dye particles are dispersed in a liquid phase without dissolving in that phase or a solvent. The definition of sublimation ink is more comprehensive based on the sublimation printing process.

How Do Sublimation Inks Printing Work?

Sublimation ink printing is a digital process that utilizes special inks printed on transfer paper and then permanently fixed on the substrate or material through heat and pressure. Understanding how sublimation inks work in printing is very helpful. 

It is popular because it produces high-resolution images and designs on the fabric. Sublimation inks are for use with inkjet printers and can work with these unique sublimation ink cartridges and the inkjet printer technology. 

The sublimation printer then prints the ink in a form that can be printed on heat transfer paper. Sublimation printing involves having an image printed on the sublimation paper using a digital printer; then, it is transferred onto the fabric or print material. 

The dye particles in the transfer paper turn directly from a solid to a gaseous state and seep deep into the polyester fabric when heated under pressure to produce high-quality print media.

The sublimation inks form reverse images on sublimation papers that are heat resistant. They are then transferred onto polyester fabrics to form the final print photos. This process is standard in creating graphics on t-shirts for instance, the company’s logo. The ink, however, is part of the garment after the printing and does not wash off with time.

Areas of Use – Industries and Applications

Sublimation inks have varied uses, as described below. Screen printing has constantly experienced reliability problems, so sublimation printing technology has been adopted due to the quality of the prints it produces. Sublimation printers have endless benefits, and some of the major industries have adopted them.

1. Textile Industry

Imagine the attractive image and other prints in full color on your t-shirt. Some products that may be useful with sublimation printing include textiles such as polyester garments and apparel such as t-shirts, jumpers, and socks. 

However, it is essential to note that all forms and types of polyester are printable with sublimation inks. Images printed on textiles and apparel through dye sublimation are easily washable, remain intact, and do not fade or peel off with washing.

2. Hardware

There has been a growing trend in the need to personalise printed items. Dye sublimation printing provides preferable images and other prints on several types of hardware, including ceramics, metals, and wood. 

Others also desire to customize images on surfaces of items such as mugs and plates. Sublimation printing can develop clear images in hardware items that retain color intensity after washing.

Four Advantages of Sublimation Ink Printing

Sublimation printing is a technique whereby ink on a printed item is transferred to another surface and dried to make it permanent and cannot be washed off or faded with time. Sublimation printing works by using a specific type of ink called sublimation ink. Here are some pros of printing with sublimation inks: 

Here are some pros of printing with sublimation inks:

1. Detail on the High-Quality Images

Sublimation printers are highly effective and can produce very smooth prints. The sublimation ink in its gaseous state gets transferred to the printing material. It enters through the weaves of the fabrics and sets with a firm grip under heat and pressure. 

The dye particles of the ink are not soluble in water and are fixed on the substrate so they cannot easily wash off. This sublimation process is more accurate and provides better quality and higher-resolution printing. 

While using screen printing, smudging and smearing are some of the factors that can compromise the quality of the image, such considerations do not apply to sublimation.

2. Durability and Longevity

Regarding durability, sublimation prints are long-lasting. Heating rollers apply pressure on the prepared heat transfer paper to make the sublimation ink settle firmly on the printing surface like other rigid items like mugs and plates. 

The image is irreversible and does not fade, chip, or peel off, which is nearly impossible with DTG printing on printed material. 

For instance, in garments, print such as sublimation print can stay long, even without washing and fading to the point where the garments get worn out. The sublimation inks are expected to be waterproof and resistant to UV, scratching, or abrasion within a certain period.

3. Versatility in Material Application

This is one of the primary benefits of sublimation printing, which is versatility in the type of material that can be printed on. Ink can be applied to any material except pure cotton or silk, called sublimation ink. 

Notably, sublimation ink can be used to print on polyester fabrics, wood, glass, cardboard, and metal. Cotton, when given a polyester coating, can also be sublimated with the help of special inks. Business owners employ sublimation printing because the technique can print on different substrates.

4. Ease of Customization

Sublimation printing offers a high level of customization compared to other printing techniques. It enables anyone to create almost fixed images and other graphics instead of creating layers on the created items. 

It is best suited for small-scale rapid prototyping and direct-to-garment printing complex designs on mugs, clothing and other products. It is almost impossible to find clothes today without graphic designs; people are searching for clothes made from a suitable fabric that will also provide them with the desired look with such designs. 

The most straightforward T-shirts or other clothes are also produced without any sort of pre-printed graphics so that clients can apply their graphics. The designs are intricate and will not peel, provided the print is well done on the object's surface.

4 Disadvantages of Digital Printing with Sublimation Inks

While there are many advantages to printing with sublimation inks, there are also some cons to consider: 

1. Initial Setup Cost

One disadvantage of using sublimation printing is that the cost of implementing this technique is relatively high at the onset. Another disadvantage is that sublimation printers are more expensive than traditional inkjet printers. 

The equipment and ink used in special printers are more expensive than those used in other types of printing. This is because the sublimation printer used in the production of the t-shirts requires an expensive heat press machine. This printing method is costly, and this is especially true when one is printing large quantities of tickets.

2. Restricted to Polymer or Polymer Coated Substrates

Ink sublimation printers are restricted to plastic substrates and, most preferably, the polyester type. Before printing, all the materials must be laminated with a layer of plastic polymer. It is important not to print dye-sublimation inks on natural fabrics such as cotton because they are not suitable for the type of printing unless they have a polyester layer. 

Polymer-coated materials that have plastic polymers are a threat to the environment. These materials generate solid waste, counteracting attempts to be more sustainable by customers and companies.

3. Complexity of the Process

Understanding that different procedures are followed when using sublimation printing is essential. Sublimation printing cannot be easy, from installing the printing machines and preparing the transfer paper to heat pressing and the final printed output. 

Heat-pressing each item independently and printing different transfer papers complicates the process. When done for individual items simultaneously, these processes may also slow down sublimation printing.

4. Incompatibility with Certain Colors

Inkjet printers used in sublimation printing cannot print on dark surfaces because of the special inks used in these printers. This is because of the nature of these sublimation inks as they are mostly clear or, at times, semi-transparent, making them only suitable for use on white-colored backgrounds and very bright-colored objects. This incompatibility is one of the most significant disadvantages that the use of sublimation printing can have.

Conclusion

Sublimation printing is the right digital technology for producing bright-colored, quality designs. The sublimation inks are unique in that they have specific characteristics that become part of the design when transferred to the printed substrate. 

Similarly, for the quality outcome, the sublimation printer has the technology to provide the desired results. However, the sublimation ink has its particular benefits and drawbacks that are essential to begin with sublimation printing. When starting your business in sublimation printing, you must ensure you are environmentally conscious.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between sublimation ink and regular printer ink?

Sublimation ink turns into gas when heated and bonds with polyester fabric, creating vibrant, permanent prints. On the other hand, regular printer ink uses pigments or dyes to print on paper, which can fade or wash out over time.

Can you use sublimation ink in any printer?

No, you cannot use sublimation ink in any printer. Sublimation ink requires specific printers designed for sublimation printing, usually with specialized print heads that can handle the unique properties of the ink.

Can I use sublimation ink in Epson?

Yes, many Epson printers can be converted for sublimation printing. Models like the Epson EcoTank series are famous for this purpose, but they must be dedicated to sublimation ink only and not mixed with regular ink.