Knowledge Center
Sublimation Ink: What It Is and How It Works
Sublimation ink is a dye-based ink system that turns directly from solid to gas under heat; the image printed on transfer paper is transferred into the fiber structure of polyester fabric with a calender press.
How It Works
Under heat, sublimation dye skips the liquid phase and turns directly into gas. The image is first printed onto transfer paper, then, in a calender press, heat and pressure drive the ink into the polyester fibers.
Which Fabrics It's Used On
For the dye to bond chemically with the fiber, the fabric needs a high polyester content; the lower the polyester content, the more limited the result.
The Key Difference from DTF
In DTF, the ink stays on the fabric surface; in sublimation, it penetrates into the fiber structure. That's why sublimation is limited to high-polyester fabrics, while DTF can be applied to a wider range of fabrics than sublimation.
What to Consider When Choosing
Start by checking the polyester content of the fabric to be printed, then assess whether your production flow can accommodate the transfer paper and calender press steps.