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  1. #1
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    Question about an unconventional sublimation use...

    Hi there,

    Humour me please - everything I know about sublimation printing has been learned over the last week!

    I'm setting up a business making sewing kits and I want to print iron on embroidery pattern transfers. These are a popular 'thing' in the craft world and have been around in some form or another for a very long time. The modern version must use some kind of heat transfer ink so I guess they use sublimation printing?

    In a nutshell, they are simple, single colour (usually) line-art printed on what feels like very normal paper. They are not a transfer film, there is nothing to peel off, and there is no residue left on the unprinted areas once transferred to fabric. The image is transferred to fabric using a standard home iron.

    Witchcraft to me! So, having explored the internet, and even purchased some transfers to have a closer look, I wonder if they are made with sublimation inks printed onto regular paper or some kind - maybe laser paper as it's heat resistant?

    The other part is, they transfer to cotton, not just polyester. So, I know that sublimation printing involves a special type of paper, and a heat press, and polyester fabric. However, the key here is that the transfer doesn't need to be great quality, and it doesn't need to last or survive washing. They are usually advertised multiple use, though degrading each time - I suspect because the heat of the iron doesn't manage to transfer a very dark print (there is always print left on the paper).

    So this is the unconventional part - if you were to print an image using sublimation inks on regular paper of some kind, do you think you could use an iron to get some kind of print on cotton fabric? I know you 'can't' sublimate to cotton, but if you're not after quality, would it at least transfer something?

    Anyone with any ideas on this will make my day. I'm happy to buy a printer to set this up, as long as I know it will work!

    Thanks all, Jenny.

  2. #2
    Senior Member webtrekker's Avatar
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    The sublimation process doen't start until at least 160°C has been reached and best reults occur at around 170 - 180°C. I'm not sure if a domestic iron would be suitable and wouldn't be able to sustain the even pressure provided by a dedicated press.

    Saying that, there are many iron-on inkjet tranfers out there suitable for use in an ordinary inkjet printer. As you say, washability isn't a factor so these may suffice.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to webtrekker For This Useful Post:

    Jenny Golightly (04-02-2020)

  4. #3
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    Thanks for taking the time to respond. Inkjet transfers tend to leave a film and I'm sure these transfers use heat transfer ink. A quick google tells me that domestic irons heat to around 180-220 degrees. As for even pressure, it doesn't need to be perfect because it just has to transfer a visible line, not even that dark, that someone can use as a sewing guide.

    Is there any reason you couldn't experiment with non-specialist papers in a sublimation printer? Would it damage the printer in any way?

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    Senior Member Mrteajunkie's Avatar
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    If you have a sublimation printer why not just try one and see?
    You wouldn’t get any decent print from it especially on cotton. but a simple black Line would be easy enough if your iron can get hot enough! although timings and different fabrics would be hard to figure out.

    mdp supply a weed free vinyl alternative.
    https://www.mdpsupplies.co.uk/sheetflex.aspx

    Or the alternative.
    purchase a heat transfer pen (available from £2)
    fit it into a vinyl plotter cutter
    and print your design to paper using the plotter
    iron onto fabric and your done.
    Last edited by Mrteajunkie; 04-02-2020 at 05:28 PM.

  6. #5
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    Thanks for replying, I don't have a printer yet - I'm deciding whether to buy one, trying to figure out if it could work. As you say, all I need is a simple black line so hopefully it would.

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