Printing Systems
Sublimation Textile Roll-to-Roll Printer
A roll-to-roll sublimation system prints the design continuously onto a roll of transfer paper; the print is then transferred to polyester fabric in a calender. The system is set up for roll-based, continuous textile production.
01 / About the System
What is Sublimation Textile Roll-to-Roll Printer
A roll-to-roll sublimation printer feeds transfer paper from a roll and winds the printed paper back onto a roll. This arrangement suits long-length and continuous print jobs.
The printed paper runs through a calender together with polyester fabric under heat and pressure. Under heat, the dye turns to gas and penetrates the polyester fibre.
In continuous production, colour consistency depends on managing the paper, the ink, the calender temperature and the speed settings together. The system configuration treats the printer and the calender line as one.
02 / Applications
Areas of use
- 01
Sports and team wear
Production of polyester jersey and activewear fabric.
- 02
Flags and soft signage
Production of polyester flag and pennant fabric on the roll.
- 03
Home textiles
Prints on curtains, cushions and decorative polyester fabric.
- 04
Fabric by the metre
Continuous pattern transfer onto polyester fabric on the roll.
Colour consistency and transfer results are confirmed with a test transfer for each fabric and paper pairing.
03 / System Structure
Process flow
- 01Printer
Printing
The design is printed onto a roll of transfer paper with sublimation ink.
- 02Drying and Rewinding
Drying and winding
The printed paper is dried and wound back into a roll.
- 03Calender Transfer
Calender transfer
Paper and polyester fabric travel together through the calender under heat and pressure.
- 04Finishing
Finishing
The fabric is wound into a roll, the paper is separated and the fabric is prepared for the next step.
Calender temperature and speed values vary with the fabric, the paper and the ink series.
04 / Process
Supply and Commissioning Process
On a roll-to-roll sublimation line, machine selection is based on the expected production pattern, the calender equipment and the consumables together. How the printer and the calender line work together is central to the plan.
- 01
Needs assessment
The expected production pattern, the fabric type and the existing calender line are identified.
- 02
System configuration
The printer, the paper feed and winding setup, the calender line and the ink series are defined according to the production pattern.
- 03
Supply
It is clarified whether the supply scope covers only the printer or also the paper feed and take-up setup and the calender line.
- 04
Installation
The energy need of the calender line and the layout for roll handling and storage are addressed in the installation plan.
- 05
Commissioning
Calibration and test transfers are used to confirm colour consistency, paper travel and calender settings together.
- 06
Technical support
If colour consistency or paper travel shows problems after commissioning, a technical service request can be created.
05 / Related Ink
TrueHue Sublimation inks
The ink for this system can be selected from the TrueHue Sublimation family. Compatibility is not determined by the ink alone; the machine configuration, the print head, the transfer paper and the calender conditions are assessed together.