Yes, and no,

Dye Sublimation printing was specific to100% polyester for garment like, swimwear, activewear and sportswear.

This is obviously the huge downside for uniform industry, therefore, we have developed a suitable cotton backed fabric for dye sublimation, to get sharp and bright colour from cotton backed fabric without the white fluff from the cotton, that was a big challenge.

Normally dyeing of polyester/cotton blended fabric required double bath dyeing of polyester/cotton blend fabric gives far better results in terms uniformity of shades in both light and dark shades, but dye sublimation is single heat transfer dyeing process, , for decades the clothing industry only used 100% polyester fabric for dye sublimation, if you jump onto the internet now, the result for the best fabric for dye sublimation printing will still be polyester.

At Australian Spirit, we always believe that there is always the solution for the problem, after months of research and discussion with our fabric mill and dying house, we have finally developed our first-generation dye-sublimation friendly cotton backed fabric in 2016, up to today, the fabric is already 4^th generation.

Our cotton backed fabric also features with UPF 50+, it’s the best choice for school wear, out-door workwear, and corporate uniforms.

• Need a picture of cotton backed fabric in comparison.
• UPF 50+
• ILLUSTRATOR OF COTTON BACKED

Dye sublimation is a digital printing technology that enables the reproduction of distinctive images on common everyday items, including clothing and novelties. Prior to digital printing, reproducing images on these items (T-shirts being a typical example) required labour-intensive analogue processes, such as screen-printing.

SAVES TIME

The modern dye sublimation process is quite simple in comparison to conventional methods. You create an image on your computer, print it onto some special transfer paper using sublimation inks, and then apply the image to the paper to create a design which is then implemented to the clothing of choice

Using a heat press, the transfer paper is pressed onto the surface at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees celcius), which then causes the sublimation inks to “transfer” from the paper to any polymer fibres within the substrate. After less than a minute, the heat is removed and the transfer paper is peeled off, leaving behind a permanent, full colour image on the substrate. The whole process can take less than 20 minutes from design through to production.

SAVES SPACE

Suitable printer types for dye sublimation work can range from a small desktop toner- or inkjet-based printers to medium-format inkjet printers. Large printers are no longer required for printing on various materials.

LESS WASTE

Whilst digital dye sublimation printing does often involve the waste of the transfer paper (as the paper offers limited opportunities for re-use), reduced wastage occurs in the ability to produce both short and long runs of a required print.

Designs can effectively be “made to order” or samples can be produced conveniently and efficiently without having to waste extra materials or substrates.

REDUCED ENERGY

Digital dye sublimation technology is constantly evolving and with this evolution comes even more efficient ways to sublimate. Earlier models required the user to physically change the inks to keep the print run going, but recent models allow for unattended ink switching –The machine doesn’t run idle until the ink has been switched but instead it can continuously run for hours of uninterrupted printing.

Furthermore, digital inkjet sublimation printing, in comparison with screen-based processes, require minimal post-print washing. Printing with sublimation inks brings the advantages of easy wash, quick dry, and reduced creasing properties to significantly reduce the impact on the environment.

FLEXIBILITY OF PRODUCTION

Digital printing, especially dye sublimation printing, is quick and inexpensive in both the setup and production, making it an ideal choice for creating personalised, one-of-a-kind items or for mass producing a variety of custom products. Moreover, dye sublimation printing yields beautiful and permanent colours that are embedded in the substrate or fabric, rather than printed on the surface. Images on fabric won’t fade or crack even after multiple washings. Images on hard substrates will not chip, peel, or scratch.

You may be surprised to know that one of the major benefits of sublimation printing is its level of safety for both the environment and the worker. In fact, it is the most friendly-environmental and sustainable method of garment printing and production currently being used today.

The dyes are safe and not in any way harmful. Printers usually opt for using CYMK, so the result is that the dye sublimation printing process only uses a minimal amount of dye sublimation inks.

Amazingly, dye sublimation printing creates absolutely ZERO WASTE.

Our sublimation ink is a “green” WATER-BASED ink, less harmful to the environment than a solvent-based ink.

There are no solvents in any sublimation ink products. Eliminating the use of solvents has been proven to be good for the environment. Solvents have been linked to the production of ozone and to the increase in smog production. Smog contributes to poor air quality which can have a harmful effect on both humans and vegetation. Some solvents have also been linked to global warming.

Many solvents are also toxic to humans. The volatile organic compounds in solvent-based inks can cause fumes which can be unhealthy for those who work with the ink.  The VOC-free nature of a water-based ink also provides a safer work environment for production employees and eliminates the need for concern about things like personal exposure limits. Sublimation inks that are solvent-free are the smarter choice both for the health of the person printing with the ink and for the Earth as a whole.