Below are our most common questions about using sublimation paper. If something has gone wrong with your application see the Help My Sublimation Paper Is Not Working section at the bottom of the page.
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What's the difference between Heat transfer paper, screen printing and sublimation printing?
Heat transfer paper and screenprinting sit on top of your surface, whereas sublimation printing vaporizes the sublimation inks and embeds them onto the polyester surface, so you can't feel the design sitting on top, it's part of the surface. This is why sublimation printing is used commercially because it is very hard wearing.
Does sublimation printing give permanent results?
Yes, it is dishwasher safe, washing machine safe and UV resistant.
Can I use my inkjet or laser printer to print on sublimation paper?
No, sublimation printing only works with special sublimation inks, regular inks won't work on the paper. Some people do convert their new inkjet printers to be a sublimation printer but this can only be done when the printer is brand new and has not printed anything yet. It still requires sublimation inks.
Do you need a heat press to press sublimation paper?
Yes, you need a heat press to be able to reach the high temperatures required for sublimating.
How does sublimation printing work?
We created a more detailed sublimation Instructions page where you can learn more about the process. We also feature articles on our blog about sublimation, check it out.
Can you sublimate onto any surface?
No, sublimation only works on surfaces with 60% or more polyester content or polyester, sublimation coated surfaces. These polyester coated surfaces are often called sublimation blanks and include t-shirts, photo frames, keychains, puzzles, tumblers, ceramic cups and more.
What is the difference between 105GSM, 120GSM and 125 GSM sublimation paper?
GSM stands for Grams per Square Meter and is a term used to describe paper weight or thickness. So the larger the number the thicker the paper. Thicker paperweights like the 125GSM can absorb more sublimation ink, this makes them a more premium paper with a higher transfer rate. The thickness of the paper weight is often a preference thing. Some people prefer the thinner 105 GSM paper weight as it may be easier to manipulate around a curved surface like a sublimation coated mug. Others pressing onto t-shirts may prefer a heavier weight paper so it is less likely to move during pressing. If you are not sure what is right for you, you can always order a sample to test it first.
How big is an A4 sheet of sublimation paper?
It's similar in size to Us letter paper and is 8.3 x 11.7 inches or 210 x 297 mm.
Do you need to mirror your design before sublimation printing?
Yes! This is very important. If you do not mirror your design things like the lettering will be the wrong way around and unreadable.
Can you print white colors using sublimation printing?
No, you can't print white. Any white area in your design will print as transparent so the base color will show in the areas of your design that are white.
How do I tell what side of the sublimation paper to print on?
We have two types of backing. The backing is normally a light pink or cream and it has a rougher texture. The correct side to print on is whiter in color and has a smoother more satin finish.
Do you need to cut out your sublimation design before printing?
No, this is the beauty of sublimation, you do not need to weed or cut around the design unless you desire it. Any area without ink will be transparent on the design once printed.
Do I need to use heat proof tape when pressing sublimation designs?
No, but we recommend it. Heat proof tape helps hold your design in place while pressing, without it, your design may move more during pressing and won't be as perfect as you want.
Can I put a sublimation t-shirt in the washing machine and dryer?
Yes, you can, follow the garment manufacturers recommended washing instructions. Do not use bleach on your sublimation garment. You can tumble dry your sublimation garment on low heat.
Can I put my sublimation mug or tumbler in the dishwasher?
Yes you can, the print will not come off.
How should I store sublimation paper?
Store unused paper in a cool, dry area, out of direct sunlight.
Is sublimation paper recyclable?
Yes, blank unprinted or pressed paper is recyclable. Printed paper with ink should be thrown in the trash.The cardboard envelope package is also recyclable. The clear plastic slip protecting the paper can be reused or should be discarded in the trash (not recyclable).
Is sublimation paper vegan?
Yes, it is vegan.
My sublimation design didn't press onto the surface.
First check you have used a sublimation printer loaded with sublimation inks to print your design. If you have used a sublimation printer, loaded with sublimation inks then it is likely your surface. You must press onto a surface with a higher than 60% polyester content. For example if you try to press a regular ceramic mug that is not coated with a polyester surface then no design will transfer. Same thing if you try to press onto a 100% cotton t-shirt, the transfer will not work, it must be a polyester surface.
My sublimation print is reversed on the final surface.
This is a common mistake and happens to the best of us. You must always mirror your design before printing.
My final printed sublimation design has white dots or specs.
These are likely caused from dust/ fiber particles on the paper or surface before printing. To avoid this in the future use a lint roller on any fabrics before sublimating and for hard surfaces you can wipe with alcohol to remove any residues or dust.
My design has a ghost type effect after pressing.
If you didn't secure your sublimation print during the pressing stage, it may have shifted slightly during the press and caused the ink to give a ghost effect. To avoid this, tape your design in place with heat proof tape.
The sublimation ink soaked onto the back of my t-shirt.
Always make sure you put a teflon sheet or butcher paper between the front of your t-shirt and the back, then if there is any excess ink, it will not soak through to the back of your shirt.
The sublimation paper is jamming in the printer
Printer jams are frustrating, we know! Have you tried feeding the paper one sheet at a time? Checking the paper type settings are set correctly? Try turning the printer off, wait 10 seconds and turn back on. You can try resetting the printer to factory settings and as a last resort you contact the printer manufacturer. If you feel like the paper itself is causing the jam, please send us a photo of the issue and we'll help you as much as we can.
Check out our Blog for tips and tricks on crafting and see your YouTube channel for helpful videos. If your question is not listed above or you are having trouble applying the paper please us at or call us at PH +1 (415) 915-. If you can take a photo of the problem and include it in your message, it will help us troubleshoot any issues faster.
Happy Creating!
Whether you desire to profit from your sublimation business or sublimation printing is just one of your many hobbies, you'll want to use actual sublimation paper.
Sublimation paper usually has unique coatings to aid the printing process, unlike regular paper. This attribute often produces excellent image quality and brilliant finishing.
However, knowing to use this unique type of paper in the innovative sublimation printing method is not enough. It would be best to use the appropriate weight of sublimation paper.
What do we mean by the weight of sublimation paper? And how can you identify the precise weight for any specific printing task?
We'll answer these questions in this guide. Then, you will learn how to identify the weight of any given sublimation paper product. And, we will direct you on learning to utilize the right paper according to your project's needs.
When buying any sublimation paper product, it is common to see relevant information about the brand name, paper size, amount of sheets packed, and the weight of the paper.
Perhaps the most critical information for you should be the weight of the sublimation paper. This information is crucial in sublimation printing, which we'll discuss in detail as you read on.
Product pages usually denote the weight of a sublimation paper in units of g, or gram, or gsm. For instance, 120 g for the product shown below.
So, what does this product attribute mean?
120 g, or gsm, or gram, indicates the product's weight per square meter of paper. This means the heaviness of the product before it is cut to size and packaged.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Heat Sublimation Paper For Mimaki.
Examples of paper sizes are 8.5 by 11 inches or 11 by 19 inches, and manufacturers often pack papers in 50 or 110 sheets.
So, one square meter of a 120-gram product weighs 120 grams on the scale. This information is accurate for all other weights of sublimation paper.
Therefore, one square meter of 105 and 125 grams of sublimation paper weighs 105 and 125, respectively.
Now, you understand what the weight of a sublimation paper means.
It is necessary to comprehend what any sublimation paper's weight indicates is not the final step. This knowledge requires that you use the printing paper according to its respective use.
Most printers opine that heavier sublimation papers are appropriate for sublimation projects that involve high color saturation. However, these projects often require a large volume of ink that may bleed through lighter sublimation papers.
Conversely, experts suggest you use lightweight printing papers in lighter sublimation projects. These may include more straightforward tasks of transferring minor designs to smaller items.
Asides from these opinions, you'll find lots of information about the proper uses of sublimation paper at different weights.
So, how do we use sublimation paper in different weights appropriately?
Firstly, the lighter sublimation papers refer to products that weigh between 105 grams to 113 grams.
Primarily, these papers find use in printing on fabrics with at least 30 percent of polyester content. These items include clothing items, curtains, and other textile products.
The possible print products are not limited to material items. For example, a printer can use light sublimation papers to design items such as ceramic mugs, key chains, and mouse pads.
Sublimation papers weighing between 120 to 125 grams make up the heavier weight group of papers.
Generally, they are applied in high-definition sublimation projects. These involve the creation of aluminum and MDF blanks.
In all, we can apply sublimation papers for diverse purposes. Different weights of paper may have advantages in specific situations, like heavier papers in high color printing projects.
Still, printers can interchange their purposes for various tasks. For instance, if you prioritize color and clarity in your final prints, lighter sublimation papers can serve your needs adequately.
Yet, a user cannot verify this benefit for all sublimation paper brands. That's why we bring you the best sublimation brand; A-SUB.
Light and heavy sublimation paper products have their applications in various tasks. Another
So, what makes A-SUB sublimation paper different from the rest of the market?
Ink transforms from the solid state to a gaseous form in sublimation printing. Unlike traditional heat transfer printing that creates an additional layer, this change allows the printed material to absorb the ink seamlessly.
This form of design transfer is why the sublimation process involves the use of coated inkjet papers. These sublimation papers have a receptor layer to support receiving the inks and transfer them quickly.
Though they closely resemble regular print papers, coated papers provide a higher range of colors (especially for pigment-based inks), better image quality, excellent brightness, and ink stability, reducing ink bleeding.
There are two prominent types of sublimation paper in the market. We classify papers by the inherent coating technology that enables them to absorb the printing ink.
This sublimation paper is made by coating it with organic polymers, like gelatin. This coating swells up to surround the sublimation ink once the ink strikes the paper.
After the coating swells, only a thin layer of ink is directly exposed to air, protecting the rest of the ink. As a result, swellable coatings tend to produce either a glossy or lustrous finish.
Some positives to the swellable paper include an excellent image finish and increased print permanence as the coating isolates the ink drops.
However, swellable paper is more sensitive to contact with water and highly humid environments. Therefore, the produced print requires a much longer drying period, too.
This posed a problem as inkjet printers tended to print faster than the sublimation ink could dry. Consequently, another form of paper has gained prominence.
As a solution to the issue resulting from swellable papers, microporous coatings were developed to prevent the ink from spreading.
Microporous coatings are alumina or silica in tiny, inorganic particles that create voids or cavities in the coating. The sublimation ink is then absorbed into these cavities by capillary action.
As a result, microporous papers help produce rapidly drying prints that you can handle immediately. In addition, microporous papers have high resistance to moisture and humid conditions.
However, the open areas of the microporous coatings still expose the sublimation ink to contact with air. So, the prints are vulnerable to contact with contaminants in the atmosphere.
Swellable and microporous papers yield designs with brilliant image quality and a vibrant finish. Still, each come with their obvious disadvantages in producing beautiful prints.
The heavier A-SUB sublimation papers are the most vibrant and most vividly colored sublimation paper around the globe.
The lighter A-SUB papers are not left out. These sublimation papers can withstand high-volume printing. And unlike sublimation paper products from other brands, they do not experience ink bleeding through the paper.
The key benefits of the A-SUB sublimation paper are:
A-SUB sublimation paper products are of high quality. Not only in their benefits in application, but in the recognition by users and experts across the internet.
A-SUB is widely recognized as having the best products in the sublimation paper industry. A quick search on Google for the 'best sublimation paper' will reveal this fact.
A host of expert reviews and recommendations from industry professionals list the A-SUB brand at the top of their products lists.
As a consequence of widespread recognition in the online space, A-SUB converts many prospective buyers into brand customers. How do we know this?
Amazon is the most prominent digital marketplace in the world. This fact is highlighted by the number of users (buyers and sellers) that make the digital platform for conducting business operations.
On Amazon, A-SUB sublimation paper products are among the best-selling items in the dye sublimation paper category. This 'Best Seller' tag denotes that A-SUB paper products have a high amount of sales among sublimation paper products
Consequently, A-SUB has the best sales among sublimation paper producers that cater to Amazon's far-reaching global audience.
Thus, you can see the remarkable exploits of A-SUB in the worldwide sublimation industry.
The available sublimation paper products are 105 grams, 113 grams, 120 grams, and 125 grams in weight.
However, we can make our products to order according to customer requests. Some possible custom weights of sublimation paper that we can produce are 123 grams and 130 grams.
No. Sublimation printing works well on fabrics with a high polyester count.
Using A-SUB sublimation paper, though, you can print on materials with as low as 30 percent polyester.
The principle of sublimation paper denotes that the sublimation ink melts further at high temperatures.
So, if you print with a low-quality transfer paper, the ink will clean after washing and fade out gradually.
Using good quality sublimation paper leads to the creation of excellent print products. Not just good paper, but the correct weight of paper according to the needs of your projects.
And where can you get top-of-the-line sublimation paper? From the finest sublimation brand; A-SUB.
Our sublimation paper uses innovative technology that offers multiple benefits and stands out in the market. And this is true when you use either lightweight or heavier paper products.
Expert reviews and recommendations point to A-SUB as the go-to brand for first-rate, reliable sublimation paper.
So, what wait longer? Use quality A-SUB sublimation paper to produce brilliant prints today.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Large Format Sublimation. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.