All About Dye Sublimation Patches
Suppose you are fond of creating promotional material such as badges, patches, printing t-shirts, mugs, etc. Dye-sublimation is a unique printing process that creates sharp, vivid, and vibrant images. As a result, all the merchandise and the products produced have stunning visuals.
Dye sublimation patches are photo-realistic and good-looking. Many people appreciate this printing process because it helps keep the budget down. In addition, it is an efficient printing method if you are producing fewer items.
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Why are dye sublimation patches better?
Dye sublimation is a process of directly transferring the ink onto the patch. These patches are unlike your traditional ones woven together using thread and fibers. Because of this dye sublimation printing process, you can add an intricate level of details to the patches. You can get picture-accurate designs and artwork done on your patches.
You can achieve this through dye sublimation if you want picture-perfect designs. If you opt for weaving the artwork, it will take more time, effort, and money, and the result may not be according to your expectations.
Dye Sublimation Printing Method For Patches
This unique printing method is done from a particular type of ribbons capable of holding solid inks. The printer then heats the ink from the ribbon, resulting in the sublimate.
Sublimation of the ink is a process in which the ink heats and transforms directly to a gaseous state from a solid form. The ink here skips the liquid state.
As the ink hits the platform where you are printing, the ink immediately turns back to a solid state. A benefit of this immediate transition is that the ink does not smudge or spill. Also, dye sublimation patches look very good when printed on stuff. This process gives these patches an authentic look. Then the printer finally applies a clear protective coating on the print.
Patches containing embroidery are first stitched on a specific background. Typically, the background used for such work is a mesh cloth. Due to the mesh cloth, the patch develops a few small spaces in between the threads. Due to these spaces, the patch loses its intricacy and finer details.
If you instead go for a printed patch, then this patch will contain all the details seamlessly. The patch is initially printed on a transfer paper sheet. Then the patch printer uses heat and pressure to transfer the ink artwork onto the patch.
How Does A Dye Sublimation Printer Work?
You’ll find that the dye sublimation printer is not similar to a standard inkjet printer. One can divide the working of this printer into three categories.
- Operation: An inkjet printer controls where ink droplets drop onto the platform from the printer’s nozzles. The ink cartridge moves from one side to another in an inkjet printer. This printing process spreads the droplets onto the object you are printing on.
- Effectiveness: If you compare the efficiency of an inkjet printer to a dye sublimation printer, then the latter will lose. Less ink is wasted on an inkjet printer, whereas a dye sublimation printer wastes more ink. The ink remaining on the panels will go to waste from the printer.
- Quality: A dye-sublimation printer is better quality than an inkjet printer. Waterless sublimation printing is more seamless rather than an inkjet printer.
Dye sublimation printing is an excellent form of practical and low-cost printing. If you want a sharp and vibrant look on your prints, you should opt for this printing method. Unfortunately, this is not the typical printing method you find in offices. You can opt for these sharp image patches that can make anything stand out.
