Dye sublimation transfer paper is a specialist paper designed exclusively for use in sublimation printing.
It serves as a crucial intermediate medium in the sublimation process, holding the printed dye sublimation inks before they are transferred onto a final substrate like fabric, ceramics, or metal under heat and pressure.
Understanding Sublimation Transfer Paper
Sublimation paper isn't just regular paper. While its base is a paper substrate, broadly similar to standard paper, what makes it unique is its special coating.
- Paper Substrate: Provides a base structure, similar to typical printing paper.
- Special Coating: This is the key differentiator. The coating is engineered to:
- Hold the dye sublimation inks in a stable state after printing.
- Prevent the inks from soaking too deeply into the paper fibers.
- Release the inks readily when heat and pressure are applied during the transfer process.
Without this coating, dye sublimation inks would be absorbed into the paper, resulting in dull colors and poor transfer efficiency.
How it Works in Sublimation Printing
In the dye sublimation process:
- Dye sublimation inks are printed onto the transfer paper using an inkjet printer.
- The printed paper is then placed in contact with the target substrate (e.g., a polyester shirt, a mug).
- Heat and pressure are applied using a heat press.
- The heat converts the solid dye sublimation inks on the paper's coating directly into a gas (sublimation).
- The pressure helps the gas penetrate the fibers or coating of the substrate.
- As the substrate cools, the gaseous dyes revert to a solid state, permanently embedded within the material.
- The transfer paper is then removed, leaving the image behind on the substrate.
Key Characteristics
- Specialist Use: Exclusively for sublimation printing.
- Coated Surface: Essential for holding and releasing inks.
- Medium: Acts as a temporary carrier for the ink.
- Optimized for Transfer: Designed to release nearly all the ink onto the final product.
Using the correct type of sublimation transfer paper is vital for achieving vibrant colors and crisp details in the final sublimated product.
