How
To Transfer Your Photos Onto Objects
With
Dye Sublimation
by Adam Shelton
Dye sublimation allows you to transfer images onto products such as
mugs, t-shirts or mouse mats. This is done using special dye, which
needs to be heated to transfer.
To perform this process, you will usually print your design onto
special sublimation paper through an inkjet printer. Most often, an
Epson printer is most appropriate for this task, as it can handle the
relatively large dye sublimation particles, unlike many other printers.
The sublimation inkjet cartridges do not actually carry any ink. They
store fluid inside, which carry the dye. When printed using this dye
the image on paper may look nothing like intended, because the dye
has very little colour to it.
Once you have the image on the paper, you can place the paper onto
the item you wish to transfer to. You will usually use a special
press to heat the dye to the needed temperature, although there are
ways to do this using a conventional oven.
You should be aware that the dye will only bond with polymers, so the
higher the polyester content in the material/product the more dye
will bond. The more dye that bonds - the brighter the image. Many
objects such as mugs can easily be coated with a special layer of
polymer, so that the dye can bond to them. Whatever product you want
to transfer the image to, needs to be able to withstand the high
temperatures needed for this process. There are many suppliers that
sell items specially made for this type of dye printing.
Unlike ink, dye cannot be used to lighten material, meaning you can't
print onto anything black or very dark. It's the same in that respect
to hair dye. If your hair is naturally black, you need to bleach it
before you can even consider adding another colour.
I hope this has got you interested enough to want to look into dye
sublimation more.
About
The Author
Adam Shelton, is the administrator of several websites, including
knowstuff.net - A place to learn about whatever you want.
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