A sublimation paper is a specialty paper used to print on shirts, mugs, and other sublimation blanks. Many beginner and professional printers use sublimation printing because it's cost-efficient and produces vivid prints.

You've landed on this page for one reason ' you're trying to find out what a sublimation paper is. If you're a beginner in the sublimation printing industry, this ultimate guide will help you understand the ins and outs of a sublimation paper.

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You've landed on this page for one reason ' you're trying to find out what a sublimation paper is. If you're a beginner in the sublimation printing industry, this ultimate guide will help you understand the ins and outs of a sublimation paper.

What Is Sublimation Paper? 

First of all, you need to learn what a sublimation transfer paper is made of. A sublimation paper is made of a special polyester coating on its print area. This special coating keeps the dye ink inside the paper which then transfers to the merchandise when exposed to heat.

How Do You Print On A Sublimation Paper? 

To print on a sublimation printer, you'll need an inkjet printer that contains dye sublimation ink. There's no other way around it. You can't use regular printer ink to print on sublimation paper because it won't work. Furthermore, you can't print on a regular printing paper using dye sublimation ink and use it for sublimation printing. In a nutshell, for sublimation printing, you'll need sublimation paper and an inkjet printer with sublimation ink.

How Does The Sublimation Process Work? 

The sublimation process works in a simple way. Let's say you have a sublimation paper printed with a design, of course using dye sublimation ink. You're about to press it into a polyester t-shirt under the heat press machine.

What happens is that the sublimation ink turns into gas. At the same time, the fabric of the polyester shirt opens up and absorbs the ink. Once you're done pressing the shirt, and it cools off, the gaseous ink that transferred to the merchandise turns solid. This means the ink is permanently printed on the merchandise. For knowing about more information about how to do sublimation shirts: a complete guide check ou blog.

What Projects Can I Do With A Sublimation Paper? 

There are plenty of custom-printed projects you can do with sublimation paper. With a sublimation paper, you can print directly on polyester fabric or any polyester-coated sublimation blank.

You can directly sublimate on synthetic fibers like polyester, lycra, nylon, and sportswear. Furthermore, you can also print the sublimation paper over a heat transfer vinyl. You see, directly sublimating on a cotton shirt or a dark-colored shirt won't work.

Direct sublimation printing on a garment is only recommended for polyester shirts. But if you want to print on a dark-colored shirt or a cotton shirt, you can print the heat transfer vinyl first on the shirt. Then sublimate over it.

As for the sublimation blanks, there are plenty of products available in the market now. This means you can custom-print on plenty of merchandise. For knowing about best sublimation paper for dark shirt you should be check our blog.

Several Sublimation Blanks Available In The Market Now Are: 

• Round fans
• Mouse Pads
• Tumbler
• Mugs
• Aluminum plate
• Earrings
• Keychain
• Pet bandana
• Tote bags
• Cup coasters
• Pillow covers
• Jigsaw puzzle
• Cosmetic bags
• Pens
• Caps
• Baby bib

You can't sublimate on random merchandise. It must be a 'sublimation blank' because it has a special polymer coating wherein the dye sublimation ink will bond. For instance, you can't expect to sublimate on a regular mug bought at a craft store. It must be a sublimation mug. All of these sublimation blanks are in white colors.

What Do I Need For Sublimation Printing?

As mentioned, for sublimation printing, of course, you'll need a sublimation paper and a sublimation printer that contains dye sublimation ink. One more machine you need to invest in is a heat press machine and each one has its purpose.

Here Are The Different Kinds Of Heat Presses Available:

• Flat heat press machine: Available in swing type or clamshell type. Recommended for use for t-shirts, tote bags, jigsaw puzzles, pillowcases, mouse pads, and other flat surfaced items.
• Tumbler heat press machine
• Cap press machine
  
• Mug press machine
• Mini heat press machine (not recommended for sublimation printing)

Do you need to invest in all these heat press machines? The more heat press machines you have, the better! But if the budget does not allow it, starting with a flat heat press machine and mastering t-shirt printing first is a good way to start.

With sublimation printing, you'll need other supplies like thermal transfer paper or tape, scissors, a Teflon sheet, and a silicone rubber pad. A bright desktop lamp on your workspace can also help you big time when printing. For knowing about sublimation temperature chart check our blog.

Sublimation Temperature Chart

How To Sublimate Merchandise? 

Sublimating merchandise is a simple process. Print and press! That's it! Whether you're printing on a shirt or a sublimation blank. Whether you're sublimating on a shirt or a mug, the transfer process is fairly similar. To give you an idea, here are the steps.

• Print the design on your computer using sublimation paper.
• Don't forget to use the highest quality print setting on your computer.
• Print on the white side of the sublimation paper.
• Don't forget to mirror the design.
• Let the ink on the sublimation paper dry for a few minutes.
• Cut the un-printed part of the sublimation paper.
• Prepare the heat press machine to its recommended time and temperature.
• Take note that the time and temperature of the heat press vary on the product you want to sublimate on. Make sure to check out the manufacturer's recommendation.
• Place the printed image, with the printed side facing down the merchandise.
• Secure the sublimation paper on the merchandise by using thermal transfer tape.
• Heat press the merchandise.
• Remove the merchandise from the heat press and remove the sublimation paper.
• You're done!

Sublimation Vs Heat Transfer Paper: Which Is Better?

You may have heard of another transfer printing method using heat transfer paper. These heat transfer papers are called dark transfer paper and light transfer paper. These types of special printing paper are coated with wax and pigment which transfers into the canvas.

Unlike sublimation paper where the dye-based ink turns into a gas and only the ink transfers into the merchandise. Sublimation printing and heat transfer paper printing are both different printing methods.

Heat transfer paper is available in laser heat transfer paper printed on a laser printer. There's also the inkjet heat transfer paper to be printed on the inkjet printer only. Which printer do you use when working on a heat transfer paper design? Inkjet or laser printer?

Inkjet or laser transfer paper is commonly used as an iron-on print. But which printing method is better? Sublimation or heat transfer printing? This depends on your preference. If you don't want the wax coating transferred onto the heat transfer paper garments, sublimation printing is preferred.

Which Printers Can You Use With Sublimation Paper?

There are printers specially used for sublimation printing. However, you can use a regular inkjet printer with dye sublimation ink on it. If you intend to invest in a printer for sublimation printing, make sure to consult with the manufacturer if the printer is compatible with sublimation printing.

There are also printers you can convert into sublimation paper using a CISS Ink system. If you have a regular inkjet printer at home and it already has regular ink on it, you cannot use it as your sublimation printer. Just like any other printer, when you refill a different kind of ink, other than the original ink you used, it might ruin the printer. That's a big no-no!

The best brands of inkjet printers for sublimation are Epson and SawGrass. Just a tip, most HP printers won't print a sublimation paper. Also, generally speaking, laser printers cannot print quality images.

Can I Use Regular Ink On Sublimation Paper? 

No, you cannot use regular ink on sublimation paper. Even though the sublimation paper will produce prints, it will not transfer to the merchandise. Sublimation paper is a special paper that contains a special coating that locks the ink and releases it into gas when exposed to heat.

The bottom line is, that regular printer ink is not made compatible with sublimation printing. The regular ink when printed onto a sublimation paper when printed on light-colored polyester fabrics or any sublimation blank.

Can I Use Dye Sublimation Ink On Regular Paper?

In sublimation printing, you cannot use dye sublimation ink on regular paper. You can try to print dye sublimation on regular paper, maybe for your documents, but it won't look too good. The colors will look pale on the paper, a bit too blurry, and oftentimes smears. Don't even think about using dye sublimation ink on regular paper if you intend to use it for sublimation printing. It simply won't work! Sublimation paper works only for dye sublimation ink, and that's about it!

Contact us to discuss your requirements of 63 Inch Heat Sublimation Paper. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Does Sublimation Ink Transfer Onto Dark-Colored Shirts?

No, sublimation ink does not directly print onto dark-colored shirts. If you want to print on a dark-colored shirt, there's an indirect way to do it. What you want to do is print a white heat transfer vinyl on the dark shirt, then sublimate over it.

Sublimation print won't be visible in dark-colored shirts like royal blue, dark gray, maroon and black. Also, one tip you should know ' white ink does not print out in sublimation printing. White ink remains unprinted, in short, transparent.

Which Side Do You Print On Sublimation Paper?

The print side of the sublimation paper is the white side with a matte texture. Typically, a sublimation paper has one white side and a colored side. As for TeckWrap Craft's sublimation paper, the colored side is colored light pink. in dark-colored shirts like royal blue, dark gray, maroon and black. Also, one tip you should know ' white ink does not print out in sublimation printing. White ink remains unprinted, in short, transparent.

As mentioned, a tip when printing on sublimation paper is to always mirror the image on your computer. This tip was mentioned earlier because it is important. Once you press on merchandise, you have to press the printed image facing the merchandise, that's why you have to mirror the image.

What To Look For In A Sublimation Paper? 

When you're looking for a sublimation paper, what you need is a high-quality product. A sublimation paper must have a high transfer rate, at least 100 gsm, fast drying speed, ink-saving performance, and does not fade, smudge or crack.

High Transfer Rate

When you're looking for a sublimation paper, you'd want a product with a high transfer rate. A sublimation paper with a high transfer rate prints vivid images and is ink-saving. A sublimation paper with more than a 98% transfer rate prints higher quality images.

Fast Drying Speed

Some sublimation paper may have longer drying times. This means you have to wait several hours for the ink to dry before pressing the design onto merchandise. You can't even touch the ink for hours as it may smudge. Why wait for the ink to dry if there is sublimation paper with a fast-drying speed? That's what you should look for!

Ink-Saving Performance

Who likes to waste ink? No one! If there's any way you can save on ink or any additional overhead cost, you should! That's why you should look for sublimation papers with an ink-saving performance. Sublimation papers with a higher gsm have an ink-saving performance.

What Is The Best Sublimation Paper? 

One of the best sublimation papers available is from TeckWrap Craft. It's fast-drying, waterproof, has great ink-saving performance, and does not fade, smudge or crack. Additionally, it's affordable. You can use the TeckWrap Craft sublimation paper to print on shirts, mugs, tumblers, and all sublimation blanks.

The Takeaway 

 Updated By TeckWrap Craft On September 9,

Best Heat Transfer Paper For Inkjet Printers: The Ultimate Guide 

If you are wondering about the best heat transfer paper for inkjet printers, you have come to the right spot. T-shirt printing has become one of the most lucrative businesses in the world. Selecting the right heat transfer paper for printing designs on them is very important as it can make or break your project.

To assist you in making the right choice, we present this comprehensive guide on different transfer papers for inkjet printers. Whether you aim to start a t-shirt printing business or want to customize shirts at home, this blog will provide valuable insights.

What Is A Heat Transfer Paper?

Heat transfer paper is a specially coated medium designed for transferring images and patterns to compatible garments. These can be printed using an inkjet printer. The coating allows the ink to adhere to the paper and then be transferred onto fabrics using heat and pressure. It is better to use a heat press machine for this but you can also work with a household iron in the beginning.

Generally, for heat transfer applications, the temperature should be set between 350°F to 375°F. The pressure applied depends on the thickness of the fabric. Thicker fabrics require less pressure. Most projects require medium or high pressure.

Features Of The Best Heat Transfer Paper

When buying the premium heat transfer paper for your project, you must take into account the following factors:

• Do not compromise on the quality of the product to save a little money. Invest in a reliable seller like TeckWrap Craft. Research, read reviews, and then make the purchase.
• The coating on the heat transfer paper should be uniform to get an even and consistent print. The colors should not appear vibrant in some areas while dull in others.
• The best heat transfer paper will be pure white with high density and a smooth surface.
• It will transfer bright, washable designs that do not fade or crack.
• It also has excellent color reproduction. You will get vivid shades, exactly as you see on your design software, transferred onto your t-shirt or any other garment.
• Another feature to look for is how well the heat transfer paper absorbs ink. It should have a good absorption rate for perfect transfers.
• The drying time of the printed design also matters. Inks on a high-grade transfer paper dry quickly leading to a time-efficient printing process.
• After printing, the paper should remain smooth and flat, there should be no wrinkles in the design that might transfer to your garment.
• A quality-conscious vendor will offer heat transfer papers for both light and dark-colored fabrics.

What To Look For When Choosing The Best Heat Transfer Paper?

• The Right Printer: You must first identify the printer you have or intend to purchase. When working with heat transfer paper, you will need an inkjet printer that has cartridges with liquid ink. These are affordable and can print a full range of colors.
• Types of Heat Transfer Paper: Consider what type of heat transfer paper you need for your project. You can choose from the following:

• Light Heat Transfer Paper: Only white or light fabrics can be designed using this. It contains a transparent polymer coating that takes on any empty space in your print and may slightly change the color of your printed image after the application of heat.
• Dark Transfer Paper: This works on both light and dark-colored fabrics. It has a white, more opaque polymer coating. When using this heat transfer paper, cut around your design before pressing leaving no empty spaces otherwise you will get an excess print which will show up white on your dark-colored fabrics.

• Choose the Method of Transfer: You can transfer prints using a commercial heat press or household iron. Small business owners can use a commercial heat press. It ensures high-quality prints and applies heat and pressure evenly. Beginners can use the common household iron. Apply pressure and heat on the design as best as you can to get excellent results.
• Paper Size: Heat transfer papers come in various sizes. At TeckWrap Craft, you can get these in A4 size which is 8.27 by 11.69 inches. Ensure that the size you choose fits into your printer.
• Project Size: Choose heat transfer paper according to the size of your project to reduce material waste. For instance, when designing a baby's t-shirt, you will need a smaller paper compared to what you would use for an adult.
• Versatile Usage: See the different mediums on which you can print designs with heat transfer paper. You can print on soft surfaces such as shirts, pants, tote bags, pillowcases, and other types of fabrics. These should be of cotton or should have high cotton content, preferably more than 30%, for the prints to be vibrant and long-lasting.
• Durability of the Design: The best heat transfer paper prints vivid designs and transfers them on the t-shirt without image degradation. It ensures that the design won't crack and peel and is fade-resistant.
• Resistance To Spatter: During printing, spots of ink can accidentally splash onto the fabric and are hard to remove. Hence invest in a good heat transfer paper that is resistant to spatter.

How To Use Light Inkjet Transfer Paper

Since white or light fabric paper is often transparent, the image printed on the paper will not show up clearly on dark fabrics. It is a good thing that TeckWrap Craft has a separate product specifically for dark fabrics. Here is the step-by-step guide on how to use Light Inkjet Transfer Paper:

• Set a mirror image and print it on the WHITE SIDE of the transfer paper
• Cut the image with a scissor or in Design Space
• Place the image on light fabrics with the image facing down; Cover the image with a parchment paper
• Transfer the fabric, with the parchment paper still covering it, on the heat press machine or under a flat iron. The temperature of the heat press is 185 degrees Celsius or 365 degrees Fahrenheit and must be maintained within 15 seconds.
• Peel the parchment paper within five seconds after heating it.

How To Use Dark Inkjet Transfer Paper

TeckWrap Craft offers a solution to the inability of light transfer papers to work for dark fabrics with this Dark Inkjet Transfer Paper for dark fabrics.  Here is the step-by-step guide on How to Use Dark Inkjet Transfer Paper

• Print the image on the white side.
• Cut the image with a scissor or using Design Space.
• Peel off the paper backing and place the image on the dark fabric facing up; cover the image with parchment paper.
• Transfer the covered fabric to a heat press machine, the temperature at 165 degrees Celsius or 329 degrees Fahrenheit within 25 seconds.
• Let the peeling cool off before peeling off the covering.
  

Frequently Asked Questions

No. heat transfer vinyl is made with polyvinyl chloride. You apply HTV to your garments whereas a transfer paper prints on them transferring every detail of your design. You can transfer photo images as well which you cannot do with HTV.

They both stand on the same level as they have their pros and cons. It depends on the kind of look you want and the number of colors your design has. With heat transfer paper, you can print sharp, multicolor images easily which is not possible with HTV.

Most heat transfer papers leave a matte finish on the design. But this may vary depending on the brand and product. TeckWrap Craft also offers a glitter finish in this.

In sublimation printing, a high-resolution design is transferred onto the polyester or poly blend fabric. The vibrant colors of the sublimation dyes fuse with the fibers of the fabric creating a long-lasting print. You can only sublimate directly on light-colored fabrics. In HTV printing, vinyl is cut and weeded and then transferred onto a fabric. You can layer designs with different HTV films overlapping each other to achieve a multicolored look. The lifespan of your design is short and you cannot work with detailed images.

Start Your Printing Journey Now With TeckWrap Craft!

If you have just started crafting, you must go to authorized sources of information that can guide you well on your path. At TeckWrap Craft, we not only offer premium products that inspire your creativity but also help you become an expert crafter! You can design exclusive shirts with vibrant colors that everyone will love. Whether you want to work with light or dark-colored fabrics, you can easily customize them with our quality products that are made to last!

For more information, please visit 24 Inch Heat Sublimation Paper.