Sublimation: Do or Dye

The opportunity to customize products has taken off like never before. A consumer can now personalize everything from pet tags to apparel. This ability allows for a buyer to have choices when it comes to what products are available for purchase. Stitch-It designs recognizes the power of customization and is now allowing customers the chance to design custom apparel using a process known as sublimation. This is a heat transfer process that makes it possible to move a digitally created image onto an object. In order to explain this technique, we will use a t-shirt as an example.

How does it work?

Step One: First a digitally created image (such as a photo or logo) is sent to a printer. The graphic is then printed on high release transfer paper using specialty inks. It is printed as a mirrored image so it does not appear backwards.

• Sublimation ink is heat activated so a printer must use vibration to release ink from printer heads.
• Polyester fabrics or poly-coated substances work best.
• Graphics show up best on white substances; printing on black or dark colored garments will not work.

Step Two: After the image or graphic is printed, the printer will cut the paper and release the transfer. The transfer should then be placed with the ink directly on the garment. Heat resistant tape should be applied to prevent the transfer from moving.

Step Three: The garment should be placed on the heat press. The heat from the press causes the ink to be transferred to the garment.

Step Four: When the garment is done being pressed the tape and transfer paper can be removed. The
product is now complete!

Why Order a Product?

The process of sublimation allows one to create a personalized, quality, and professional product.
Stitch-It Designs offers a variety of products to customize. Some include iPad cases, pet tags, pillow cases, lanyards, cell phone covers, luggage tags, mouse pads, and keychains. To find out what other products can be ordered and to find out more about the process of sublimation, visit http://www.stitchitdesigns.com/.