Dye-sublimation: This is a printing process where water-based or similar inks are printed onto fabrics in one of 2 ways: either paper-to-textile (transfer printing) or direct-to-textile. In both cases the fabric and inks are subjected to a heat fixation process where the inks change from a solid into a gasseous state and fixate into the fabric.

Fabrics for Dye-sublimation: 100% polyester fabrics are best suited to this method of printing. When printing paper-to-textile fabrics generally do not need a  pre-treatment to aid printing. When printing direct-to-textile a fabric pre-treatment may be required but this will depend on the type of machine and inks being used. Brook International recommends the Brook-7 pre-treatment for printing direct-to-textile.

Fabric Preparation: All Brook International fabrics are manufactured and produced to minimise shrinkage by heat-setting. This process is often carried out at over 210°C. Woven and knitted fabrics behave differently and it maybe advisable to pre-press fabrics prior to dye-sub printing the image onto the fabric. This is advisable when dye-sub printing paper-to-textile and will help minimise or even eliminate the possibility of ghosting.

Temperatures: Temperatures will vary depending on the method of printing. When printing paper-to-textile it is the industry norm to use a temperature between 190°C and 205°C or when printing direct-to-textile temperatures between 160°C to 190°C are often used. The optimum temperature will vary depending on the weight and construction of the fabric whether it’s 115gsm Knitted Poly flag or 500gsm Artists Canvas etc.

Suppliers of Dye-sublimation Print Machines: There are many suppliers and providers of dye-sublimation printing systems some of which are listed as follows.

United Kingdom:

DCP Systems
T: 0114 257 3640
E: info@dcp-systems.co.uk

MC Link
T:  01772 722 224
F: 01771 722 122

R A Smart
T: 01625 576 231
F: 01625 576 201
E: magnus@rasmart.co.uk

I-Sub
T: 01455 203204
F: 01455 203207
E: info@i-subdigital.com

Europe:

Copira - Denmark and Iceland
T: +454 976 7676
F:+454 976 7677
E: info@copira.dk

Creative Graphics Technologies - Italy, Austria, Switzerland
T: +39 052 376 8566
F: +39 523 770 177
E: info@cgtcom.com

Kalle Media – Finland
T: +358 (0) 10 841 80 80
F:+358 (0) 10 841 80 90
E: info@kallemedia.fi

TeBa – Poland
T: +48 42 637 7135
F: +48 42 636 1201
E: teba@teba.pl

Needing more information or have any questions? Please contact Brook International on +44(0)1535 639 020 or info@brookinternational.com