16   Sign Update    ISSUE 190 MARCH 2020

    DYE SUBLIMATION

the process is more widely used in the consumer retail market. Dye sublimation printing may be used on textiles, ceramics, glass, aluminium, brass, stainless steel, plastics and hardboard, which has led to the availability of dozens of different products that can be printed as one-offs and in small or large quantities. Images printed on suitable substrates can be used outdoors. However, it is the field of textile printing that dye sublimation is possibly best known. When printing on polyester (and blends with a minimum of 60% polyester) the colours and details are bright, crisp and sharp. Woven or knit fabric including twill, poplin, taffeta, chiffon and micro- stretch materials may be printed and because dye sublimation inks bond with the fibres, they will not crack or wash out. They can be washed, rolled, folded and used outside, making them ideal for T-shirts, swimwear and sportswear, as well as banners and flags. With dedicated, standalone software packages that handle the entire design-to- print dye sublimation workflow, large format printers have an easier route into this exciting and dynamic technology that can be tailored to meet your own skills and market. In other words, it’s do and dye. www.thinkSAi.com

sublimation printing. Finally, there are image creation and workflow management and RIP software packages (that you may already be using) that, with an additional optional module, can drive both conventional (solvent, water-based or HP Latex) printers and dye sublimation printers. The easy availability of small (desktop) sublimation printers as well as those up to large format sizes, means that

Traditionally the preserve of specialist printers producing textiles, T-shirts and novelty items, dye sublimation printing is a process that uses inks that are vapourised during transfer to the final substrate. The resultant images are colour-rich, vibrant and long lasting. Dye sublimation printing can be done direct to the final substrate or more commonly, via a transfer paper which is then applied to the substrate and transferred by heat using moderate pressure. Today, there is a convergence of factors which, if you’re a large format print provider, might make it worthwhile to consider dye sublimation printing as an additional revenue stream. The first is the digital technology that simplifies the process, giving absolute control over the placement of ink either to transfer papers or direct to fabric substrate. In addition, the proliferation of large format inkjet printing has created competitive conditions that require business owners to explore additional applications or services to help support profitable growth. Furthermore, the demand for photo and other image-based products is driving an expansion of main street and online printers offering dye

Live and let dye: grow your business with dye sublimation printing

You’ve all heard that selling more to existing customers is more cost effective than trying to find new ones. If you’re a large format print provider, this hopefully resonates with you. Michelle Johnson, director of worldwide marketing at SAi, suggests one way of adding a new range of products while using concepts, technologies and even software you are possibly already familiar with.

A convergence of factors make it worthwhile  for large-format print providers to consider dye sublimation printing as an additional revenue stream.

“Large format printers have an easier route into this exciting and dynamic technology that can be tailored to meet your own skills and market. In other words, it’s do and dye”