Anyone tried the sublimation coating spray?

[Customprintwales]

I'm looking at running some news lines shorty. I getting some mdf blanks custom cut for various signs etc and I was going to use printable vinyl for the design. I've seen some suppliers now beginning to offer sublimation coating spray where you just spray the white coating onto the blank you want to print onto.

This looks like it might be a good option over using vinyl and wondered if anyone had tried using these sprays before and how good a finish they give.

Thanks
Kevin

[Andrew]

Consistency is always going to be the problem. Sometimes hard to get depth of colour in areas. Easy to end up with too much or little in areas. Will take a lot of practice and control of method to get a half decent finish but can be done.

[Customprintwales]

Thanks,

I'll give it a try. I've got three possible options for producing mdf door signs - sublimation spray, printable vinyl or water slide decals.

I'll give each a try to see which gives the best finish. If I can get sublimation spray to work I think that would give a more long-lasting option with less fade than the other two ways.

I'll just have to practice to try and get a good finish to print on.

Kevin

[Andrew]

When you say less fade, are they to go on outside doors or inner ones? Sublimation is not UV resistant as standard although you can get another coating to help that part.

[Customprintwales]

They will be inside.

It's just children's bedroom door signs.

Kevin

[catcapers]

I've tried it on white tiles and the results were pretty good. The only downside is it's time consuming. I did one generous coat and then let it dry to touch and then baked in the oven to cure. I was using tiles so putting them in the oven wasn't an issue. I would use it again for special projects.

[Customprintwales]

Thanks,

I think probably one of the most important things with the spray is the preparation of the surface that you are going to spray. Ceramic tiles have a good smooth surface to spray on to.

I think I'll just have to make sure that the mdf is well cut and prepared before being sprayed and baked. I don't think 160 - 170 is going to have too much of an impact on good quality mdf. It seems to survive a heat press at higher temps without too much of an issue.

Kevin