My students are very creative and love making custom items for themselves as well as family and friends. I have made my students custom clothing in the past which in turn sparked their curiosity about how it is done. Sublimation printing is a process that involves transferring a design or image onto a substrate, such as fabric, using heat and pressure. This process is commonly used in the production of custom apparel, promotional items, and signage.
Sublimation printing produces high-quality images that are vibrant, long-lasting, and resistant to fading or cracking.
It is also a versatile process that can be used on a wide range of substrates, including textiles, ceramics, metals, and plastics.
The sublimation printing process starts with a digital image or design that is printed onto a special sublimation paper using a dye-sublimation printer. The printer uses special sublimation inks that contain dyes that can bond with polyester or polymer-coated surfaces, such as ceramics or metals.
Once the image is printed on the sublimation paper, it is then placed onto the substrate and secured in place using heat-resistant tape. The substrate and paper are then placed into a heat press, which applies heat and pressure to transfer the design onto the substrate.
During the heat press process, the sublimation ink on the paper turns into a gas when it reaches a certain temperature. This gas then permeates the substrate, bonding with the polymer fibers and permanently dyeing the fabric. The heat and pressure also ensure that the image is transferred accurately and completely onto the substrate.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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