There are many ways to decorate clothes, and people often compare sublimation paper vs. transfer paper. We will not necessarily tell you which one is better because it depends on the needs of your business and what you want to achieve and decorate. However, we will discuss the differences and compare the sublimation paper vs. transfer paper.
The basics of sublimation printing:
The first step in comparing sublimation paper vs. transfer paper is to learn about the sublimation process.
What is Sublimation?
Sublimation is a process used to print an image or design on special paper and then apply heat to the substrate. However, there are important differences in the science of how this process occurs. Sublimation ink is a dye-type ink, which changes from solid to gas when heated. This gas will contaminate the fabric. Because ink dyes the fibers of clothing, sublimation is only suitable for white and light-colored clothing.
What is the sublimation printing process?
Sublimation printers use a special ink that turns to gas when heated. Similarly, polyester fibers open and allow gas to enter the fibers and permanently dye them when heated.
Sublimation is suitable for polyester fabrics or other specialty-coated substrates. You can use polyester blended fabrics, but any non-polyester fibers will not accept ink in the same way. It means that if you have a polyester/cotton blend shirt, the cotton fibers will not be dyed. Sometimes it looks cool! It depends on what you want!
Can it be used with cotton? Yes! There are several ways to do it!
You can sublimate your design in HTV with white flash. (You can use the paper cutter’s printing and cutting technology to get accurate edges, or you can manually cut around the design)
You can buy a Dye press product, which can cover the cotton fiber of the shirt to better match the Polyester/Cotton Blend.
You can use Chromo blast ink and paper instead of sublimation ink. (But sometimes it tends to leave a residue. You should be prepared to practice this technique for best results)
Sublimation is not suitable for dark clothing because it is transparent ink. Any color behind it will show through your image. If you want to wear it in dark clothes, you can sublimate it with HTV flash white technology.
What is a sublimation paper?
Sublimation paper is used for sublimation printing. Manufactured with a paper substrate, which is usually based on plain paper. The special coating added to the paper can hold the sublimation ink. The coating consists of approximately 35% silica and 5% binder, based on the dry weight of the paper.
The basics of heat transfer printing:
The next step in comparing sublimation paper vs. transfer paper is to learn about the heat transfer process.
What is heat transfer printing?
Heat transfer, also known as heat printing, heat transfer, and wax heat transfer, is a printing method that allows you to print a design on a garment or object. Heat transfer printing uses a thermal process to transfer the image created in wax to an object or garment. This printing method supports pre-painted images on wax sheets or can create images by layering wax dye on objects.
What is heat transfer paper?
Heat transfer paper is a special type of paper used for printing. For example, a heat press can be used to transfer images to clothing or hard surfaces. The two types of heat transfer paper are inkjet and laser.
For each type of paper, you need its type of printer. For example, laser transfer paper cannot be used in inkjet printers and vice versa.
Heat Transfer Paper is suitable for most office printers. However, the best quality and effect can be obtained using a white toner printer such as OKI. These printers are designed for clothing decoration and are covered with a layer of white toner to transfer bright full-color prints to colored and dark clothing.
What kind of printer is used for heat transfer paper?
The printer is used for the heat transfer process, but it requires special ink to function. These wax-based inks bind the ribbon, and the printer presses the ribbon onto the object and then uses a hot press on the other side until the ink melts from the ribbon and forms an image on the object.
You can use inexpensive desktop inkjet printers or laser printers to print on thermal transfer paper. Common brands include Chong, Samsung, Canon, Brother, and Epson. The printer and ink that thermal transfer paper uses are the same as the printer and ink used when printing the paper at home; no special ink is required!
Sublimation paper vs. Transfer paper
What are the pros and cons of sublimation?
| Pros of sublimation | Cons of sublimation |
| It is one of the few methods that allow printing on rigid surfaces (mugs, photographic plates, printing plates, watches, etc.). | The fabric must be 100% polyester or at least 2/3 polyester. |
| After sublimation, printing is integrated into the substrate and becomes part of it. Unlike transfer paper, the result is invisible, will not be scratched, and will not fade. | Sublimation items must have areas printed in white or light colors. Black or dark surfaces cannot be sublimated. |
| You do not need to set the minimum number of prints. So, whether you customize 1 or 1000 units, the unit cost remains the same. | For non-woven substrates, only articles with a special polyester coating can be used. |
What are the pros and cons of heat transfer printing?
| Pros of heat transfer printing | Cons of heat transfer printing |
| Running in small batches allows customers to get their items faster. | Mass printing is expensive and time-consuming. |
| Photo printing can be transmitted in full color. | Printing is harder, making the fabric strong. |
| Allows the use of multiple colors and positions on clothing. | The print will fade after washing several times, and the duration is not long. |
| The software allows unlimited options for changing graphics. | Ironing the printed matter will destroy the image. |
Sublimation paper vs. transfer paper: which is best for you?
After reading this whole article, you can distinguish between sublimation printing and heat transfer printing. Both are best in their respective fields. It is up to you what your demand is. If your demands lie in the region of sublimation printing, choose it without any second thought. If it lies in the circle of transfer paper printing, choose it. Now, in the competition between sublimation paper vs. transfer paper, you can say which wins.