Editing Dye-sublimation printing (section)

==Sublimation transfer printing==
Sublimation transfer printing is a [[digital printing]] technology using full-color artwork that works with [[polyester]] and [[polymer]]-coated [[Substrate (printing)|substrates]]. Originally used for printing polyester fabrics, the process is now commonly also used for decorating apparel, signs, and banners, as well as novelty items such as cell phone covers, plaques, coffee mugs, mouse mats, and other items with sublimation-friendly surfaces. 

The images are first printed onto coated heat-resistant transfer paper as a mirror-image of the final design, which is then transferred from the transfer sheet onto the substrate using a [[heat press]]. 

Early large-format printers used for printing transfer paper were modified [[electrostatic plotter]]s using toner, but now are generally large-format inkjet printers using special inks. For small-format printing, inkjet has also become the dominant technology, though special dye-sublimation transfer laser printers are also available.<ref>{{cite web |author1=UNINET, Inc. |title=IColor 350 Dye Sublimation Transfer Printer |url=https://www.icolorprint.com/products/icolor350 |access-date=19 March 2023 |ref=icolor350}}</ref>

In order to transfer the image from the paper to the substrate, it requires a heat press machine process that is a combination of time, temperature, and pressure. Different settings are used depending on the substrate. This application will transfer the sublimation dyes at the molecular level into the substrate. The most common dyes used for sublimation activate at 350 degrees Fahrenheit / 175 degrees Celsius. However, a range of 380 to 420 degrees Fahrenheit / 195 to 215 degrees Celsius is normally recommended for optimal color.

The result of the sublimation transfer process is a nearly permanent, high-resolution, full-color print. Because the dyes are infused into the substrate at the [[Molecule|molecular]] level, rather than applied at a topical level (such as with [[screen printing]] and [[direct to garment printing]]), the prints will not crack, fade or peel from the substrate under normal conditions. The fabric is permanently dyed so it can be washed without damaging the quality of the image.
Advantages of dye-sublimation over other methods of textile printing:<ref>{{cite book |title=Graphic Designer's Digital Printing and Prepress Handbook |last= Sidles |first= Constance J. |pages= 26–27 |publisher= Rockport Publishers |date= 2001 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=MfLXgLvRHIcC&q=dye+sublimation+fabric&pg=PA26 |access-date= 2011-10-05 |isbn= 9781564967749 }}</ref> images are permanent and do not peel or fade, the dye does not build up on the fabric.
Colors can be extraordinarily brilliant due to the bonding of the dye to the transparent fibers of the synthetic fabric, truly continuous tones can be achieved that are equivalent to photographs, without the use of special techniques such as half-screen printing, and the image can be printed all over the entire item, with no difficulty in printing all the way to the edges.

=== Piezo inkjet transfer printing ===
There are two types of dye sublimation inks for piezo inkjet transfer printers available in the market. The most popular one is aqueous dye sublimation ink for use in both desktop and large format printers. The other is solvent dye sublimation ink that can be used in XAAR, Spectra, and some [[Konica]] printhead-wide format printers.

Due to the fast development of [[digital textile printing]], dye sublimation inks are becoming more and more popular in digital [[inkjet]] printing on [[fabrics]].

Print speeds for large-format piezo inkjet printers using aqueous dye sublimation ink continue to increase. Speeds range from 18 square meters per hour in a smaller 44 in wide printer to over 3,000 square meters per hour in a high-speed industrial textile printer.