Conventional digital thermal sublimation process using a digital printer in transfer printing paper to produce a picture instead of the image, then use heat transferring the image to the final substrates, the substrates can be polyester or other polyester or polyester coating materials. Traditional thermal sublimation process often use water, solvent, or oil-based thermal sublimation ink, and can use these to enlarge print ink color gamut.

The sublimation is a process of substances directly from a solid body becomes, no liquid process in the middle. The process of dry ice into fog at room temperature is a typical thermal sublimation process.

The amount of heat sublimation transfer paper printing ink is through a temperature between 356 and 410 ° F (180-210 ° C). The heat transfer between the machine to the final on substrates. Under the action of high temperature and high pressure, dye becomes gas penetration into the fiber, and ultimately curing on textiles. When heating temperature over 390 ° F (200 ° C), the sublimation ink will immediately turn into gas. In addition, the heat can also open the holes on the surface of the polyester or polyester coating substrates, sublimate to gas dye penetration into material. After stop heating, sublimation ink will be cooling into solid, gap will be closed on the polyester material. If the operation is correct, the printed image will not fade, crack or aging.

The sublimation of the traditional way is to use digital printing machine first image printed on the transfer paper, then transferring them to the final substrates; And direct the sublimation is to print the image directly on substrates, don't need to use the transfer paper. Used to direct the sublimation of the textile fiber usually has a can make the sublimation ink the free flow of special coating, when textiles are heated, will through the sublimation ink infiltrate the textile fiber, to form a lasting image.

Textile printing directly is a cost efficient way of production, and can make better ink infiltrate the textile fiber. Transfer paper, however, allow the user to get a better image quality, especially the detail of the image and edge. Transfer printing images can give a person with a very real sense, because fiber absorbent paper not so strong. But for the flags and other textiles need double-sided printing, direct thermal sublimation method is an ideal solution.

The sublimation transfer paper compared to UV and solvent inkjet printing, the sublimation printing the biggest advantage is its wide color gamut. Thermal transfer printing ink vigor and high density can give a POP advertising designers provide more choice.

In considering whether to use traditional or sublimation printing technology directly, be sure to think of equipment cost, saturation and image quality, consumables (ink and substrates) and Labour costs that several factors. Some printing equipment for thermal transfer machines, some take heating device, without human intervention. If you want to with the traditional heat sublimation printing, at least you have a printer and a heat transfer device, and the cost of production will increase as the printing size and multiply; If you want to direct heat sublimation printing, you can only buy a online or utility system.