What is 120 GSM High Speed Dye Sublimation Paper and Why Do We Use Them?

14, Apr. 2025

 

[Sublimation Guides] Sublimation Paper 101 - htvront

Have you ever wondered how to create vibrant, long-lasting designs on fabric, mugs, or even metal? Sublimation paper is the secret! With sublimation printing, you’re not limited to just cotton or basic materials, you can transfer high-quality images onto a variety of surfaces with stunning results.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Million Ton.

So, if you're a crafting enthusiast, or maybe just someone curious about diving into this world for the first time, don’t worry! I’ve got you covered. In this guide, I’ll walk you through what sublimation paper actually is, how it works, and the tools you’ll need to get those perfect prints.

I’ll even throw in some tips on inks, heat presses, and share a few simple tricks to help you avoid the common mistakes people make.

Ready? Let’s get started!

Quick in

How Sublimation Works?

Sublimation is the process of printing where ink transforms from solid to gas without ever passing through the liquid state. It's just about transferring vibrant designs onto material, like cloth or ceramics. Here's a step-by-step explanation of how to go about it:

1. Design Creation

The process starts with creating or selecting the design you would like to print. The design is usually created on a computer with LOKLiK design software.

2. Printing the Design

The design is printed on sublimation paper with sublimation ink . The ink turns into a gas when heated, and that is why sublimation printing is unique. The printer heats solid dye to gas, which sticks to the material.

You can sometimes use sublimation spray, especially when printing onto non-polyester materials or hard surfaces. This guarantees a coating is created on materials like cotton clothing or ceramics to allow sublimation ink to stick properly.

3. Heat Transfer

The sublimation paper, either spray-coated or not, is printed and applied on the material (fabric, mug, ceramic, etc.). Apply heat and high pressure in a heat press machine. The heat press setting is typically 180-200°C (356-392°F) for 40-50 seconds, depending on the material.

4. Dye Sublimation

The heat, at this stage, sublimates the sublimation ink on paper, turning it into a gas. The gas moves into the fabric or material and bonds to the fibers (or coating) on a molecular level.

The result is vivid, full-color prints that will not peel, crack, or fade quickly.

5. Cooling and Setting

After the heat transfer process is completed, the material is cooled. Upon cooling, the design is a permanent and fully integrated element of the material.

Types of Sublimation Paper

Sublimation paper comes in various types, each for the use of different printing needs and materials. The following are the most common types:

1. Fast-Dry Sublimation Paper (105g-120g)

Fast drying, ideal for high-speed printing. 105g is thin and best for soft clothing and detailed designs, while 120g has better ink absorption and is suitable for clothing, mugs, and covers.

2. Tacky Sublimation Paper (120g-125g)

Has a sticky surface that resists shifting on stretch fabrics. The 120g is perfect for everyday apparel, and the 125g is better for sportswear that needs high adhesion. 

3. High-Release Sublimation Paper (120g-125g)

Transfers more ink for thicker colors. The 120g works well on fabric, but the 125g works well on rigid materials like ceramics.

4. Heavyweight Sublimation Paper (125g+)

Thicker, curling is avoided. Ideal for large prints on rigid surfaces like wood and metal.

Note: For high-speed printing, 105g is best. For regular use, 120g is best, and for rigid surface bold prints, 125g.

How to Use HTVRONT Sublimation Paper

HTVRONT sublimation paper is a favorite among DIYers and professionals for creating vibrant, long-lasting designs. Here are its key features:

Sizes: A4 (8.3” x 11.7”) & A3 (11.7” x 16.5”) for small projects, 13” x 19” for larger designs.

Thickness: 120gsm (faster drying) & 125gsm (deeper colors).

Best For: Polyester fabrics (65%+ polyester) and sublimation-coated surfaces like mugs, metal plates, and keychains.

Not Suitable For: Cotton fabrics or untreated ceramics/glass unless treated with sublimation spray.

To print on HTVRONT sublimation paper, here’s what you’ll need:

White Polyester T-shirt

A4 8.5” x 14” sublimation paper

HTVRONT Sublimation HTV for dark fabrics

HTVRONT Heat Tape

Step 1: Upload and Resize Your Design

Open Cricut Design Space, upload your image, and select "Print Then Cut." Resize it to fit your project, and if needed, change the print size to 8.5” x 14” so you don’t run into sizing issues.

Step 2: Duplicate for HTV Cut Layer

Duplicate your design to create a cutting layer for the HTV. Change the duplicate to "Basic Cut" so it cuts properly—this ensures your design prints edge to edge without any white showing.

Step 3: Mirror and Print

Turn on the mirror setting for both layers. Send the design to your sublimation printer, keep the bleed on, and disable mirroring in the printer settings (since it's already mirrored in Design Space).

Step 4: Cut Your Designs

Load your printed design into the cutting machine and cut it using the medium cardstock setting. Then, cut the sublimation HTV using the everyday iron-on setting with the shiny side down.

Step 5: Press the HTV onto the Shirt

Pre-press your shirt to remove moisture, then place the HTV about three inches below the collar. Press it at 310°F (154°C) for 10 seconds using heavy pressure. Let it cool completely before peeling.

Set your heat press to the correct temperature and time(see Heat Press Settings for more details):

Material Temperature Time Pressure Polyester Fabric 385-400°F 40-60 sec Medium to High Mugs 375-400°F 150-180 sec Medium Hard Surfaces 385-400°F 60-120 sec Medium to High

Step 6: Align and Tape the Sublimation Print

Carefully line up your printed design over the HTV and secure it with heat tape. Slip some butcher paper inside and under the shirt to protect your heat press from ink bleed.

Step 7: Sublimate the Design

Cover everything with butcher paper and press at 392°F (200°C) for 50 seconds. Peel the paper while it’s still warm—this is the exciting part where you see your vibrant design come to life!

Step 8: Remove the Paper and Reveal Your Design

Once the time is up, carefully peel off the paper while it’s still warm to reveal your design. Take a moment to admire the bright, vibrant, and permanent sublimation print, it’s now beautifully transferred and ready to enjoy!

Sublimation Paper vs. Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)

When customizing T-shirts, mugs, and more, two popular methods are sublimation printing and heat transfer vinyl (HTV). But which one suits your project best?

Sublimation printing uses special ink that bonds with polyester or coated surfaces when heated, creating long-lasting, vibrant designs. However, it doesn’t work on cotton.

HTV, on the other hand, is a vinyl material with adhesive that sticks to fabric when heat is applied, making it ideal for cotton and dark garments. Available in various finishes, HTV offers versatility but may peel or crack over time, unlike sublimation, which is more durable.

Here's a table comparing Sublimation Paper and Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) for clearer understanding. Head to this article for more information.

Feature Sublimation Paper Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) Best for Polyester fabrics, sublimation-coated hard surfaces Cotton, polyester, blends, and dark fabrics Feel on fabric No texture, ink is embedded into material Slight texture, vinyl sits on top of fabric Durability Permanent, won’t fade or crack Good, but may peel or crack over time Color limitations Works only on light-colored surfaces Works on any color, including dark fabrics Equipment needed Sublimation printer, sublimation ink, heat press Cutting machine, heat press or iron Ease of Use Requires more specialized equipment Easier for beginners

To learn more about HTV, visit HTVRONT's blog post: What is HTV? How to Use?

Sublimation Paper vs. DTF Film: Which is More Versatile?

Sublimation printing is done by heating ink and turning it into a gas, bonding it to polyester material or coated materials to create durable, vibrant prints. It's ideal for high-polyester items but won't work with cotton or black-colored items.

On the other hand, DTF printing utilizes a special PET film and adhesive powder to print images onto various fabrics like cotton, polyester, and blends. This makes it more versatile for application on light- or dark-colored fabrics.

DTF prints, however, lie on the surface of the fabric, which leads to peeling or cracking after some time, although the latter is robust if well maintained.

Here’s a comparison table between Sublimation Paper and DTF Film for better understanding.

Feature Sublimation Paper DTF Film Best for Polyester, coated hard surfaces Any fabric (cotton, polyester, blends, leather) Feel on fabric No texture, ink is part of the fabric Soft feel, ink sits on top of fabric Durability Permanent, won’t fade or crack Highly durable, stretchable, resists cracking Color options No white ink, works only on light fabrics Prints white and full-color designs on dark fabrics Versatility Limited to polyester and coated items Works on any fabric type Equipment needed Sublimation printer, sublimation ink, heat press DTF printer, PET film, adhesive powder, heat press, curing oven Ease of use Easier setup, but limited application More steps but works on all fabrics

Sublimation Paper vs. Copy Paper: Why You Can’t Use Regular Paper

If you’re new to sublimation printing, you might wonder: Can I use regular copy paper instead of sublimation paper? Or even, Can I use sublimation paper in a regular printer? While both might look similar, the reality is regular copy paper is not designed for sublimation.

Here’s what happens when you try to use copy paper or a regular printer for sublimation.

1. Copy Paper Cannot Hold Sublimation Ink Properly

Sublimation ink is dye-based and designed to turn into gas under heat. Unlike copy paper, which absorbs ink like a sponge, sublimation paper has a special coating that holds the ink on the surface until heat is applied. If you print on copy paper, the ink will soak in, leading to dull, faded, and blurry transfers.

2. Copy Paper Won’t Transfer the Ink Effectively

During sublimation, heat converts ink into gas, which bonds permanently with polyester fabric or coated materials. Sublimation paper’s coating helps release nearly 100% of the ink during this process. Copy paper, however, traps most of the ink in its fibers, meaning barely any ink will transfer to your product, resulting in weak, faded prints.

3. Sublimation Paper Is Designed for High-Temperature Transfers

Regular copy paper can scorch, curl, or burn when exposed to the high heat (around 375-400°F) required for sublimation. Sublimation paper is made to withstand these temperatures without warping or sticking to your blank.

Can You Use Sublimation Paper in a Regular Printer?

No, sublimation paper cannot be used in a regular inkjet or laser printer and here’s why:

1. Regular Ink Won't Transfer Properly

Sublimation printing requires special sublimation ink, which turns into gas under heat. Standard inkjet printers use dye-based or pigment-based ink, which won’t sublimate.

If you put sublimation paper into a regular printer, the ink will sit on the coated surface but never properly transfer onto your material.

2. Regular Printers Can Get Clogged

Sublimation ink has a different viscosity and drying process than regular ink. Regular inkjet printers are not built to handle sublimation ink, and attempting to use it can clog the printheads, damage internal components, or even void your printer’s warranty.

Sublimation Paper vs. Infusible Ink: Which Delivers Better Results?

When it comes to vibrant, permanent prints, both sublimation paper and Infusible Ink are popular choices. But which one is better?

Sublimation paper is used with sublimation ink, which turns into gas under heat, bonding permanently with polyester-based materials. It requires a sublimation printer and is ideal for printing custom designs on items like mugs, shirts, and coasters.

Sublimation paper is used with sublimation ink, which turns into gas under heat, bonding permanently with polyester-based materials. It requires a sublimation printer and is ideal for printing custom designs on items like mugs, shirts, and coasters.

Want more information on 120 GSM High Speed Dye Sublimation Paper? Feel free to contact us.

But which one is better? The following key differences will help you make an informed decision.

Feature Sublimation Paper Infusible Ink Printing Method Prints designs using a sublimation printer Uses pre-inked transfer sheets or Infusible Ink pens Customization Fully customizable – any design, color, or text Limited to available Cricut transfer sheet colors/patterns Application Heat press required Cricut EasyPress or heat press required Material Compatibility Works on a variety of polyester-coated items Limited to Cricut-compatible blanks Color Range Unlimited color options Pre-made color selections Best For High-quality, professional, or business-level sublimation projects DIY crafters using Cricut machines

Sublimation Paper vs. Laser Paper: Can You Use Sublimation Paper in a Laser Printer?

If you're new to sublimation printing, you might be wondering: Can I use sublimation paper in my laser printer? The short answer is no, but why? And what happens if you try?

Sublimation paper is designed specifically for sublimation ink, which turns into a gas when heated. However, laser printers use toner, not liquid ink. This means:

The toner won’t bond with sublimation paper, so your print won’t transfer properly.

Laser printers use high heat, which can damage sublimation paper and even your printer.

Sublimation ink requires a special chemical reaction, which laser printers don’t support.

Using sublimation paper in a laser printer won’t produce a successful transfer and could ruin your equipment.

What About Laser Transfer Paper?

If you own a laser printer and want to transfer designs onto fabrics or other materials, laser transfer paper is the right choice. Here’s how it compares:

Feature Sublimation Paper Laser Transfer Paper Printer Compatibility Works only with sublimation printers Works with laser printers Ink Type Requires sublimation ink Uses toner from laser printers Transfer Method Ink turns into gas and bonds with the material Toner adheres to the surface of the material Material Compatibility Best for polyester and sublimation-coated items Works on cotton, polyester, and even dark fabrics (with special papers) Durability Permanent, won’t fade or peel Can crack or peel over time, depending on quality

What Kind of Sublimation Paper Do I Need for Tumblers?

Not all sublimation papers are created equal, and when it comes to tumblers, choosing the right paper for different tumbler sizes is key to achieving vibrant, long-lasting designs without fading or peeling!

Here's a detailed table!

Tumbler Size Recommended Sublimation Paper Size Why It Works 20oz Skinny Tumbler 8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14" Perfect fit for full wraps with minimal trimming. 30oz Tumbler 11" x 17" Ensures full coverage with room for adjustments. Other Custom Tumblers 13" x 19" (for larger designs) Ideal for oversized tumblers or multiple prints on one sheet.

What to avoid for best transfer results: 

Using standard sublimation paper: Some papers are meant for fabric, not hard surfaces like tumblers.

Not using enough pressure: A loose wrap can cause ghosting or faded edges.

Skipping the heat-resistant tape: Your design might shift, ruining the final print.

How Many Times Can You Use Sublimation Paper? (One-Time Deal or Reusable?)

For those new to sublimation printing, a common question is whether sublimation paper can be reused, or if it’s strictly a one-time use.

The simple answer: No, sublimation paper can’t be reused. Unlike heat transfer vinyl (HTV) or screen printing stencils , sublimation paper is designed for single-use only. This is because the process transfers the ink permanently, leaving no ink left for reuse.

So, here’s why you can't reuse sublimation paper:

The ink transfers completely: Sublimation ink is designed to fully release from the paper onto your blank (fabric, tumbler, etc.) under high heat and pressure. Once the ink is transferred, there’s nothing left on the paper to reuse.

Leftover ink is faded and uneven: If any ink remains on the paper after pressing, it’s usually dull, patchy, or incomplete. Reusing the same print will only give you a faded, low-quality result.

The paper’s coating breaks down: Sublimation paper has a special coating that holds the ink in place before transferring it. Once heated, the coating is compromised, making it ineffective for a second use.

How to Keep Sublimation Paper from Sticking?

Sublimation printing is an exciting way to create vibrant, long-lasting designs, but nothing ruins the process faster than sublimation paper sticking to your blank.

Whether you're working with mugs, tumblers, fabric, or other coated materials, a stuck transfer can lead to ruined prints, ghosting, or residue left behind.

So, how do you prevent sublimation paper from sticking? Here are some practical tips to ensure a smooth, frustration-free transfer:

1. Use the Right Temperature and Time

  • Fabric (polyester shirts, pillowcases, etc.), Typically 385-400°F for 40-60 seconds

  • Hard surfaces (ceramic mugs, metal plates, etc.), Around 375-400°F for 3-5 minutes

  • Too much heat ink over-release + paper sticking! Always refer to manufacturer guidelines for your specific blanks.

2. Use Butcher Paper or Teflon Sheets

  • Butcher paper absorbs excess moisture, preventing paper from sticking.

  • Teflon sheets create a non-stick barrier that makes peeling easier.

  • Avoid using wax paper or parchment paper, they won’t work as well and may leave unwanted textures on your design.

3. Preheat Your Blank to Remove Moisture

  • For fabric: Pre-press at 385°F for 5-10 seconds.

  • For hard surfaces: Heat the item slightly before taping the design in place.

4. Let the Blank Cool Before Peeling

If sublimation paper sticks after pressing, don’t rush to peel it off immediately!

  • For fabrics: Let the shirt cool slightly before removing the paper to prevent ink smearing.

  • For hard surfaces: Allow mugs, tumblers, or plates to cool before peeling to avoid ghosting.

5. Use Heat Tape Instead of Spray Adhesive

Some people use spray adhesive to hold sublimation paper in place, but too much adhesive can make the paper stick even more. Instead, use heat-resistant tape to secure the design without leaving residue.

  • Heat tape keeps designs from shifting without sticking.

  • Avoid excessive spray adhesive, especially on hard surfaces like mugs or tumblers.

6. Choose High-Quality Sublimation Paper

Not all sublimation paper is created equal! Cheap, low-quality paper may not have the right coating, increasing the chances of sticking.

  • Look for reputable brands with good reviews.

  • Use the correct weight, heavier paper tends to stick less than thin, flimsy sheets.

How Long to Let Sublimation Paper Dry Before Transferring?

Timing is very important when it comes to sublimation printing. Your sublimation paper that is not completely dry can lead to uneven transfers, blurriness, or ghosting. So, how long do you have to wait before transferring it to your blank?

Sublimation paper drying time typically differs depending on the printer, ink, and paper you're using. However, as a rule of thumb, let it dry for at least 10-15 minutes after printing the design on the sublimation paper. 

This is usually sufficient time for the ink to have settled and for the paper to be dry enough to undergo the transfer process. You should also, nevertheless, check for signs that the paper is dry enough to use.

How to Tell If Sublimation Paper Is Dry Enough?

It’s not just about waiting 10-15 minutes, it’s about making sure the paper feels ready to go. Here’s how you can tell:

1. Check for Wetness or Ink Transfer

Touch the printed area gently with your finger or a clean cloth. If you notice that the ink feels wet or you see smudges transferring to your finger, then the paper isn’t dry yet.

2. Paper Texture

Sublimation paper should feel slightly stiff and smooth after the ink has dried. If it still feels soft or like the ink hasn’t settled in, give it a little more time.

3. Absence of Glossy Finish

Some sublimation papers have a glossy finish right after printing. If the paper is still glossy, it’s not fully dry, as the ink hasn’t settled completely into the coating yet. You should wait until the glossy look has faded, leaving the paper with a matte, dry appearance.

How to Remove Stuck Sublimation Paper?

Sublimation printing is awesome, but sometimes things go wrong. One common issue is sublimation paper sticking to your material during transfer, which can ruin your design and waste time and materials. 

Don't stress! Here's a quick guide to fix it when it happens.

1. Let It Cool Down

First, let the material cool down completely. If it is warm, trying to strip off the paper can tear it or damage the design. Let it cool down for 10-15 minutes naturally before you attempt stripping off the paper.

2. Gently Peel the Paper Off

When the material starts to cool, you can try peeling off the sublimation paper. Start in one corner and work around the edges slowly, being careful not to damage the design. 

A craft knife or tweezers can be employed to work into the edge if it is stuck in an extremely small area. Gently, don't rush.

3. Reheat Again

If the paper is still stuck, apply a little heat to loosen it. Use your heat press or heat gun at low temperature (about 250°F/121°C) and heat the area for about 5-10 seconds. This should loosen the adhesive between the paper and the substrate.

4. Apply a Solvent

If the paper is still stuck and will not be peeled off easily, you may try applying a small amount of acetone or rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth. 

Soak the cloth with the solvent (not dripping with it) and rub gently on the area where the paper is stuck. This should break the glue between the paper and the surface. Use solvents with caution, however, as they may destroy certain materials.

5. Remove Residue

Occasionally, sublimation paper leaves behind paper fibers or residual ink on the fabric. If this is the case, use rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth to wipe away the residue gently without smudging or distorting the design.

Conclusion

Sublimation paper is the key to achieving bright, permanent prints in your sublimation projects. It holds and passes on dye to polyester materials and mugs, among others, and is thus vital for crisp, permanent prints. 

How to Choose the Best Sublimation Heat Transfer Paper

How to choose the correct sublimation heat transfer paper?There are four factors that you have to consider for choosing the right sublimation transfer paper.1.INK LIMIT / CAPACITY
This is a very basic factor. The higher the ink limit (wet), the heavier gram the paper should be in order to accept the moisture from the ink without any problems like curling and warping of the paper.
 2.HEAVY INK PATTERNS
This explains the printing of an artwork that has a very complex design that has a mixed heavy and light ink loading. You can face this in low gram papers, curling will occur and also shifting after pressing. To eliminate this the best solution is a 110gsm or more that accept heavy ink and also light inks.
 3.ROLL TO ROLL OR ROLL TO SHEET
Calendar press loves low gsm papers. But on heavy ink, consider factor #1.
 4.PRINT SPEED
This is the equation:
Fast printing = lightweight paper
Slow printing = thick paper
 According to the humidity of the working environment

Low humidity: In the humidity under 45% , It’s better to choose 70gsm . Because when in a low humidity , the paper will shrink, and the print side is hunch-up. During the printing , the paper absorb ink , the “hunch-up” will be more obviously. 90g and 120g paper are harder than 70g , so the “hunch-up” will damage the print-head . 70gsm is more softer , it could relief the “hunch-up” and protect your print-head from damage .
 High humidity: In the humidity above 70% . It’s better to choose 90-120 gsm . Because the paper is very easy to become damp in a high humidity , it will become softer and stiffness is weak at the same time . If you use low weight paper, it will be very hard to print smoothly because of the stiffness and hardness go down . At this time , 90-120 gsm is your best choice.
 When choosing the best transfer paper, there is rarely one paper that will work well with everything. The type of transfer paper you should be using depends on the substrate you will be transferring to.
 Please briefly explain to us inkjet sublimation transfer paper process?
Inkjet sublimation transfer paper is a widely used thermal transfer paper, load it using the sublimation transfer ink jet printer to mirror the way the graphic is printed on an inkjet sublimation transfer paper, then after heat transfer equipment heated to around 200 ℃, so sublimation paper sublimation disperse dyes penetrate into the substrate, so that the paper color images vividly transferred to one kind of printing process to the polyester-based textiles.
 5. How to Choose The Best Sublimation Paper When We Need?More issues need to be addressed too: How important is transfer yield? When do I need “high speed” sublimation paper? An entrepreneur who is considering his first investment in digital transfer printing is confronted with other dilemmas, too: Do I choose a water-based system, or should I consider oil-based or solvent-based inks? Which type of sublimation paper is preferable for transfers onto metal or tiles?
 The Aim
As a specialist supplier, Easty Ltd carries a broad range of sublimation paper. As our customers are entitled to objective advice, we wanted to describe the right sublimationpaper choice in a simple diagram for us to use when advising them. When we showed the draft diagram to a number of dye sublimation experts, they encouraged us to provide more background information. Thus, this article evolved from a diagram into a manual for choosing the right sublimation transfer paper, based upon the professionals’ collective experience. Unfortunately, it is not the simple diagram that Easty thought of at the outset. Rather, it is more complex.
 Overview
First, we shall discuss the fundamental choices for ink systems: water-based, oil-based or solvent-based.
Then we will provide a guide for water-based systems focusing on three aspects:
transfer onto textile fabric versus transfer onto a hard substrate
the “basis weight”- “high speed” versus “normal” transfer paper
Finally, we shall look at other aspects of the transfer printing operation because the right paper choice is by no means the only condition for successful transfer printing.
 Water-based Systems versus Oil-based and Solvent-based Systems
For many reasons, water continues to be the ideal carrier for sublimation inks. However, water and paper are not ideally suited for each other. Paper fibers absorb water by swelling. This mechanism poses an inherent problem for printing processes with water-based inks. Small variations in the amount of water can cause the paper to expand or shrink by as much as 1 percent or more. Such moisture variations not only occur as a result of the water-based ink being applied to the paper surface, but also because of variations in the air’s moisture content in the print room, to the extent that the unpacked paper is exposed to them. The limited dimensional stability of paper as a function of variations in moisture content generally does not pose many problems with narrow printers and small sheet sizes. However, wide-format printing is an altogether different matter. A change of 1 percent in the web width amounts to as much as 2.5 cm (nearly 1 inch) or more across the full width!
Grand Format printers are used for sublimation transfer printing with oil-based inks at widths of more than 3 metres.Compared with water-based inks, oil-based inks cause less swelling of the paper fibers and none of the resulting problems, such as linear extension and cockling. For widths greater than 250 cm (98 inches), we advise our customers to consider oil-based systems but to take into account the following limitations.
 Limitations of Oil-based Systems
Printed transfer paper is made up of a highly unstable system. This is because the transfer paper delivers a maximum amount of dye to the substrate during the transfer process. Dye particles in the printed paper must sublimate freely when exposed to heat in the transfer press. They must not be bound chemically or by any other means. Yet, before the transfer, the dye is not supposed to “migrate.” These more or less conflicting demands make the system extremely vulnerable and susceptible to contaminants from the environment. Even certain components of the paper and the ink may cause problems. Unfortunately, the “oil” in the oil-based ink is such a component.
When an oil-based ink is drying, the oil does not evaporate from the paper. At most the volatile fractions will evaporate. The remaining fractions facilitate the paper dye’s migration, causing colors to shift and details to lose their sharpness. Therefore, transfer paper printed with oil-based inks must be run through a transfer calender immediately after printing.
 Promise of Solvent-based Systems
Solvents hold the best promise of enabling wide-format printing systems without having the limitations associated with oil-based inks. Solvent-based systems would make a larger number of printing platforms available for dye sublimation transfer.
There is a very good reason why solvent inks have not played a bigger role in sublimation transfer printing. Solvents bring environmental and safety hazards, which printers thought they eliminated when they embraced water-based sublimation inks. Printers with a background in the textile industry are accustomed to water-based ink chemistry, which has its own environmental problems. To them, water-based transfer printing provides a clean and safe business model. The situation in the sign industry is quite different. Solvent ink is the preferred method for producing outdoor graphics on uncoated, non-absorbent media. Sign printers are fully familiar with health and safety requirements. To the sign industry, solvent-based dye sublimation is not equivalent with new health and safety hazards.
 It is too early to make recommendations about solvent-based sublimation transfer printing because there are still technical hurdles. However, we will be following developments in this new technology closely.
Small objects – the most popular application of sublimation transfer printing on hard surfaces.
 Guide for Water-based Systems
Open Substrate (textile fabric) versus Closed Substrate (metal, ceramics)
EastyLtd Transfer papers for textile fabrics are specially designed to deliver the maximum amount of dye to the substrate (maximum “transfer yield”) during the pressing process, thus meeting the highest coloristic demands and allowing for the least ink consumption. Maximum-dye release occurs when carrier liquid and dye particles are not strongly absorbed into the paper and the dye particles are not bound to the internal paper structure. To achieve this, manufacturers have developed a closed film coating, which forms a gel with water from the printing ink. The barrier character of these coatings makes the papers less suitable for transfer to hard (closed) substrates. The vapor, generated when the paper is heated during transfer, can only escape in a lateral direction. This can easily cause damage to the print, which is visible in the cloudy vapor patterns in full colors and blurred contours.
 For transfer onto hard surfaces, we recommend a transfer paper that allows the vapor to escape through the paper. This type of paper is similar to photo-quality inkjet papers, which dry immediately after printing. But there is a tradeoff. The dry paper surface is made possible by a special silicate-based coating, which draws the ink faster and deeper into the paper compared with the paper for textile fabrics. This results in a noticeably lower transfer yield. A second disadvantage of the hard-surface papers is that they cockle more easily due to the quick water absorption.

For more 44 Inch Heat Sublimation Paperinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.