Printing Systems
High Penetration Sublimation
A high-penetration sublimation system prints the design onto transfer paper first; heat and pressure then carry the dye into polyester fibres. It is considered for applications where deeper penetration into the fabric structure is wanted.
01 / About the System
What is High Penetration Sublimation
In sublimation printing, ink containing disperse dye is printed onto transfer paper. Under heat, the dye turns to gas, penetrates the polyester fibre structure and is fixed there.
High-penetration inks are a sub-class formulated to penetrate fabric fibres more deeply than standard sublimation inks. This property is considered in applications that call for dense colour.
Whether penetration is sufficient depends on the fabric structure, the transfer temperature and the time. The choice of system and consumables is therefore confirmed with test prints on the target fabric.
02 / Applications
Areas of use
- 01
Sports and team wear
Dense-colour prints on polyester jersey and activewear fabrics.
- 02
Flags and textile graphics
Polyester flags, pennants and textile signage fabrics.
- 03
Home textiles
Printing on cushions, curtains and decorative polyester fabrics.
- 04
Dense fabric structures
Thick or textured polyester surfaces where penetration matters; suitability is set by test prints.
Penetration and colour density are confirmed with a test transfer on each fabric.
03 / System Structure
Process flow
- 01Printer
Printing
The design is printed onto transfer paper with sublimation ink.
- 02Drying
Drying
The printed paper is brought to a dry, flat state before transfer.
- 03Heat Transfer
Heat transfer
Paper and fabric are joined under heat and pressure in a calender or press; the dye moves into the fibre.
- 04Finishing
Finishing
The fabric is cooled, separated from the paper and prepared for cutting or sewing.
Transfer temperature, time and pressure vary with the fabric, the paper and the ink series.
04 / Process
Supply and Commissioning Process
On a high-penetration sublimation line, machine selection is assessed together with the target fabric, the transfer equipment and the consumables. The existing calender or press capability is one of the factors that set the supply scope.
- 01
Needs assessment
The target polyester fabrics, the colour density expected and the existing transfer equipment are identified.
- 02
System configuration
The printer, the transfer paper, the ink series and the calender or press equipment are defined according to the target fabric.
- 03
Supply
It is clarified whether the supply scope covers only the printer or also the transfer paper and the calender or press equipment.
- 04
Installation
The energy need of the transfer equipment and its layout in the print area are addressed in the installation plan.
- 05
Commissioning
Transfer trials on the target fabric are used to assess colour density and penetration results.
- 06
Technical support
If colour density or transfer results drift after commissioning, a technical service request can be created.
05 / Related Ink
TrueHue High-Penetration Sublimation inks
The ink for this system can be selected from the TrueHue High-Penetration Sublimation family. Compatibility is not determined by the ink alone; the machine configuration, the print head, the transfer paper and the transfer conditions are assessed together.