Have you ever wondered how sublimation printing achieves such long lasting and brilliant colors? What is the role of polyester content for getting those vibrant results?
Polyester plays a major role in dye – sub printing. To achieve the best result you should understand the role of polyester in sublimation.
I experimented printing on multiple t-shirts having different polyester blends and to my surprise the vibrancy of design varies as per the percentage of polyester content. higher the polyester content, great is the vibrancy. Let’s check out why polyester is a critical ingredient for amazing prints.
Why is polyester a key element in dye – sub printing?
Polyester plays a critical role for a very simple reason i.e. chemistry. The printing technique relies on special ink which turns in gas upon heating. Polyester fibers open upon heating and allow gaseous ink to make a permanent bond with the fabric.
When this heat is removed, the pores close and trap the dye inside. This chemical bond between the polyester and ink is what gives the print their longevity and vibrancy.
On the other hand, natural fabrics like cotton lack this bonding ability and the dyes sit on the top of natural fabrics instead of penetrating them. Which leads to dull and faded prints after a few washes.
The unique chemistry of polyester with ink makes it the non-replaceable ingredient for durable and dazzling prints.
What percentage of polyester is best for sublimation?
To get amazing results, remember that more polyester is always better. But if we talk about the ideal amount of how much polyester for sublimation is best, then here is my answer.
To balance performance, feel and cost (obviously) you should always choose a fabric with 65% polyester content.
Fabrics having 100% polyester results in the most durable and vibrant prints and maximize the bond of dye with the fabric’s fiber. But 100% polyester fabric may feel stiff and will cost you more.
On the other hand, fabrics having 50% polyester offer adequate prints and at very less price. But the color vibrancy will not be good.
Landing at 65% polyester content hits the harmonic balance as there is enough polyester for dazzling colors, while 35% other fiber content results in affordability and softness. For various projects, 65% polyester offers outstanding results without disturbing your bank balance.
Why does the percentage of polyester matter?
The percentage of polyester impacts the overall result of your prints. High polyester contents offer more vibrant colors which truly pop and lower amount of polyester results in more dull and faded results.
It is because the ink relies on the polyester to properly bond during the printing process. E.g.
- Blend of 30% polyester and 70% other fabric restricts the bonding of ink with material.
- 50/50 polyester and other fabric blends limit the dye making bond only with half of fibers and the rest half sits on the top of fabric, resulting in less saturation.
- 100% polyester fabric permits almost all ink to fuse with the fabric for amazing vibrancy.
It is a direct correlation i.e. more polyester content is equal to more vibrant prints. For amazing performance, I advise you to avoid the fabric having polyester content less than 50%.
Tips for successful sublimation
Apart from the right polyester percentage it is important to follow below tips for getting best results.
1. Preparing fabric
Before beginning the process of printing, it is critical to prepare the fabric properly. Most of the fabric comes with coating or sizing which may affect the ink transfer.
So, it is necessary to wash the fabric properly for removing any coating or sizing. Also, ensure that the fabric is purely dry before beginning the printing process.
2. Select right ink
Selecting the right ink for printing is critical to achieve successful transfer. Strictly choose the dye – sub ink as they are compatible with dye – sub printers and offer long lasting and vibrant prints.
3. Adjusting pressure and temperature
The pressure and temperature used during the process of sublimation is critical to achieve the proper transfer. The optimal temperature for sublimation is between 385°F and 400°F and the pressure should be medium to high, based on the thickness of fabric. It is mandatory to adjust the temperature and pressure as per the composition & thickness of fabric to achieve best results.
4. Post – processing the printed fabric
Once the printing process is completed, it is mandatory to follow post processing process properly. It includes removing the paper from the substrate and letting it cool down. Once the fabric is cooled down, it is mandatory to remove any excess dye or debris which may have accumulated during the process of transfer.
5. Fabric composition
The composition of polyester in fabric is a significant factor for determining whether it is suitable for printing. Material with high percentage of polyester absorbs more ink and generates more vibrant colors. Fabrics which contain other fabrics like spandex or cotton may not be ideal for printing as they offer less vivid colors.
6. Fabric color
The polyester fabric color also affects the result of sublimation printing. Light or white color fabric is suitable for printing as the ink is translucent and requires a light background to show color vividly. Dark polyester fabrics can also be printed but they will not generate vibrant colors.
7. Fabric quality
The quality of the substrate is also important. Low quality polyester fabrics are generally inconsistent woven or have uneven surface texture which can result in uneven ink transfer. On the other hand, high quality fabric with tight weave and even surface texture generates amazing results.
Conclusion
Hope the above information has answered the question about ‘how much polyester for sublimation’. You can follow my personal tips mentioned above to boost the color vibrancy. If you have any suggestions regarding polyester content in fabric, let me know in the comments or you can message me.
FAQs
Q- What will happen if I use less than 50% polyester?
Printing on the fabric having less than 50% polyester can significantly reduce print quality. With less polyester content, the ink lacks enough fiber to make bonds with. The outcome appears washed out and faded as most of the dye sits on the top of fabric instead of making bonds with the fabric. It will be best to have minimum 50% polyester content in your substrate.
Q- Can I use 100% polyester for a softer feel?
No doubt, 100% polyester generates amazing print vibrancy, but the hand feel is quite plasticky and stiff. For a softer feel always use microfibers polyester materials. The small polyester fibers in the microfiber fabrics helps to retain color vibrancy while offering a comfier, smoother feel.
Q- What is the easiest polyester bend to work with?
Generally, you should use 65% polyester and 35% other fabric blend as it is easy to source, affordable and achieves amazing results. But if you want longer lasting and vivid prints then you should use the material which has highest polyester content as the printing ink makes bond with the polyester fiber. So, more the polyester, strong is the bond.
Q- How to determine the polyester percentage in fabric?
Always check the manufacturer’s tag to find the exact breakdown. If you cannot find any tag, contact the supplier for the percentage. Knowing polyester percentage in any fabric is important to determine optimum heat press settings.
