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  • Sublimation & transfer papers advice please?

    Posted by Paul.Gadsdon on May 2, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    Now I am a little confused!!

    What is the difference between using sublimation inks and sub paper and transfer paper?

    Does one need to use sub inks with transfer paper? If so why would one not just use normal sub paper as it doesnt need to cut it as well.

    Ummmm

    Dark colours I suddenly realize!!

    So is it normal sub on light colours and transfers for darks?

    Cheers

    Colin Crabb replied 9 years, 11 months ago 1 Member · 1 Reply
  • 1 Reply
  • Colin Crabb

    Member
    May 3, 2014 at 9:23 am

    I think your looking at a couple of different processes all at once here.

    Sublimation process – uses a chemical reaction to dye the special coated object or polyester based t-shirt. Using special inks (sublimation inks) you print onto dye-sub transfer paper, this is then placed onto you object / t-shirt, pressed with heat to turn the dye into gas which then transfers & dyes your printable object.

    Transfer Paper Process – eg Magictouch. The transfer paper is a special media that is general used with laser type printers. The image is printed onto the transfer paper to basically make a decal type sticker (Not totally accurate, but easiest why to describe it!), again using heat the decal is bonded onto the t-shirt, BUT it does not ‘dye’ the t-shirt, its a sticker, this is why you have to cut around the graphic before transferring or you might see the transfer paper.
    Does allow to print onto cotton & dark material unlike sublimation.

    Hope that helps?

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