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Sublimation Paper Guide
The sublimation process is easy, but if you’re just starting out there are a few things you need to know on your way to becoming a personalization pro. For sublimation, you’ll need specialized paper to go with your sublimation printer. This sublimation paper guide will help you make the best paper choices for your next project.
What is sublimation paper?
Sublimation paper has a special coating to help transfer sublimation inks to your shirt, mug, coaster, and more. This paper works with your sublimation printer to make sure you get the best possible color reproduction for your projects.
Sublimation paper coating helps hold the ink inside of the paper. This coating is an important part of the transfer process, as it’s designed to withstand the heat and pressure of a heat press while releasing as much ink as possible onto your polyester coated or poly blend item.
What can I do with sublimation paper?
With your sublimation paper and supplies, you can personalize a wide variety of polyester coated products made for sublimation. There are thousands of products available, including home décor, drinkware, photo panels, signage, and apparel.
What ink should I use with sublimation paper?
With sublimation paper, the only type of ink you should be using is dye sublimation ink. When you print to your sublimation paper with sublimation ink, the print itself may look slightly dull. This is due to the fact that sublimation paper has a specialty coating that holds the sublimation ink until it’s transferred to your item.
While the print may look washed out initially, you’ll get a vibrant image transfer to polyester coated hard goods and polyester or poly blend fabrics.
Which side do I print on sublimation paper?
The special coating on sublimation paper is only applied to one side of the paper. Some paper manufacturers include a grid or other identifying watermark on the non-printable side of the paper, making it easy to determine how to orient the sheet in your printer.
However, if there is no watermark, you’ll typically want to print on the bright white side of the paper. To determine which is the printable side, bend the sheet of paper in half. One side should be noticeably whiter than the other.
Now you’re a sublimation paper expert
Using the tips and information above, you should be ready to make the right choice for sublimation paper for your next project. If you have any more questions about the paper or the sublimation process in general, you can reach out to our advanced support team, and they will help guide you with answers about any of the equipment, paper, inks, and supplies we offer.