SUBLIMATION IMPRINTING EXPLANATION

SUBLIMATION IMPRINTING WITH A HYBRID DYE-SUBLIMATION RIBBON FOR COLOR THERMAL PRINTERS

The word sublimation refers to the process by which solids are transformed directly to the vapor state without passing through the liquid state. The application of heat is essential to the process. 

Color thermal transfer printers employ a unique method of transferring multiple colors onto plain paper. A dye is mixed with wax. This dye/wax mixture is then applied to a thin polyester film or sheeting in continuously repeating blocks of yellow, cyan, magenta. A black panel is not included on the sublimation ribbon because black can be created by combining 100% of the three primary colors. This set of three color panels is repeated over and over again throughout the entire length of ribbon. (WE HAVE A SINGLE PASS PRINTER WITH A BLACK PRINTER RIBBON TO CREATE BLACK)

The color thermal transfer printer feeds a sheet of paper into the print engine where it is aligned with the first panel of the print ribbon. Both the paper and ink ribbon pass simultaneously over a roller which presses them against a thermal print head the same width as the paper and print ribbon. As the paper and ink film pass beneath the print head, multiple heating elements arranged in a row on the thermal print head are turned on and cause small dots of dye saturated waxes to be melted and released from the film. The melted dots are pressed against the paper where they remain. The paper continues moving under the print head along with the ink ribbon until the entire print area has been covered with the required formation of dots for the first color. (WE HAVE A SINGLE PASS PRINTER) The paper is then automatically retracted back into the printer and aligned with the second ink panel and the thermal process is repeated. This process is repeated for all the colors used by the printer after which the finished paper with full color imprinting is ejected.

Since all colors are a complex arrangement of the above listed colors-cyan (blue), magenta (red), and yellow, this method of printing can create extremely satisfactory results. To verify this, look closely at a magnified portion of any full color imprint and you will see the pattern of dots. You can use the three color (cyan, magenta, yellow) sublimation ribbon to create millions of process color combinations on a single printed output.

You can create full color sublimation transfers for printing on mugs, melamine plaques, polyester clothing, glass plaques, ceramic and marble tiles and coasters, hats, can wraps, mouse pads, carpet mats, poly reinforced fiberglass sheeting, engraveable metals, emblem patches, etc.