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Put simply, sublimation is a fancy word for a simple chemical process. During the sublimation process, a specially formulated ink is heated into a gas, then bonded into the surface of a sublimation compatible material as it cools, resulting in a vibrant, durable, and professional-looking print.

Overall, sublimation prints offer a great option for printing a multitude of colors, including skin tones, on both hard and soft substrates. The blank, or substrate, must have a special polyester coating or polyester content for the process to work, and be a white or light colored item.

The process is easy; print your transfer, apply heat and pressure, and your transfer is complete! To get started, you’ll need a sublimation printer, a sublimation blank, and a way to add heat pressure, like a heat press, mug press, or convection oven.

You’ll print your design onto a special sublimation paper using a sublimation ink. Once your image is printed, you tape your print to your blank item, and add the heat and pressure to initiate the chemical process of sublimation! Check out our buyer’s guide to learn how to get started with sublimation printing.

A sublimation system comes in a variety of configurations depending on the decorator’s product offerings and production volume. There are five main components to a typical sublimation system.

1. Computer - No matter what the product or output, a computer with graphics software is necessary. Professional graphics software which have advanced color management settings, and which allow for the use of custom color profiles (e.g. ICC profiles) are recommended. Wide format systems may require RIP software (an advanced print drive which can be calibrated for color and quality specifically based on your individual printer, sublimation ink set, paper and final product).
2. Sublimation Printer - Printer models come in a variety of print widths and ink configurations depending on the products you’ll be making and your anticipated production volume. Johnson Plastics Plus offers sublimation systems for all needs.
3. Sublimation Inks - Johnson Plastics Plus offers a few different brands of sublimation ink.
4. Sublimation Paper - Sublimation paper is a specialized paper used in the sublimation printing process, designed to hold and release ink when exposed to heat.
5. Heat Press - Depending on the products being made and output volume, there are a variety of heat presses to choose from:
   • Clamshell and Swing-away presses with larger platens offer versatility for sublimating larger products. For larger items it’s recommended to utilize a swing away press
   • Pneumatic Heat Press uses an air operated press to give consistent results with no guesswork.
   • A mug press can deliver a sublimated mug, or tumbler often makes sense for a decorator offering single or short-run mug orders.
   • Convection Oven - mugs and other cylindrical items can be produced in a standard convection oven with the use of heat wraps.
6. Blank sublimation-ready products - There are literally thousands of blank substrates available to customize, for setting and details see the JPPlus Tech Tips for each item.

Savvy business owners have long enjoyed the versatility of dye sublimation. It’s not unusual for sublimation users to make a variety of special products to satisfy an individual customer’s diverse needs. Whether it provides interior signage, full color plaques or promotional goods, a single vector logo delivered to a digital decorator can yield hundreds of individually customized, sublimation products. Furthermore, digital decorators from other industries like engraving and embroidery are finding that they can target entire new market segments merely by adding a sublimation system.

When you’re first getting started, the sublimation process can present some unique learning curves. Should you ever have questions, we urge you to contact one of our sublimation professionals. Johnson Plastics Plus has numerous support options and sublimation resources, including videos, blogs and more. We also offer numerous educational opportunities including trade show seminars, webinars, technical articles in trade magazines and our open house/hands-on events at various locations around the country. We look forward to answering any questions you might have about dynamic sublimation technology and our many available solutions. Check out our buyer’s guide to learn how to get started with sublimation printing.

Adding sublimation and other full-color printing technologies can be an exciting and profitable way to expand your business! There are many options available to you...and sorting through those options can be a daunting task. That’s where JPPlus can help!

Read our blog post here about how to choose the best sublimation printer to start your creative journey! Explore our other blog posts and discover the ins and outs of sublimation and how to get started.

Whether you're choosing sublimation, toner heat transfer, direct-to-film, direct-to-garment or UV-LED printing to start your full-color printing journey, JPPlus has the equipment, supplies, and technical expertise to make sure you're getting the most from your purchase!

If you aren't sure which equipment is right for you, fill out this form here and an equipment sales representative will be in touch to help you with any questions.

Whether you’re just starting out with a sublimation business or continuing to grow, it can be confusing to choose what would be the best sublimation printer for your business. Before you select a printer for your business, you’ll want to decide what features are the most important to you. Epson offers SureColor printers for every stage that your business is in, let’s look at what Epson sublimation printers are available.

Epson SureColor F170: The smallest of the Epson sublimation printers, this machine prints letter or legal-size sheets. You can use it for smaller papers like mug size, or small custom size paper. It utilizes ink tanks; you can quickly see your ink levels. You can print directly from any design program without any additional software needed. For example, you could design in CorelDraw or Silhouette Studio and print directly to the Epson SureColor F170.

Epson SureColor F570 Pro: This printer works with either sheet paper or rolls of paper, giving you flexibility and efficiency with your printing. Instead of printing to 11” x 17” sheet, you can opt for a 17” or 24” roll and maximize your paper usage. Epson also includes a RIP software called Epson Edge print to assist you with layout options and color management. It’s a great step up for small businesses or can be a workhorse for larger shops.

Epson SureColor F6470: For the shop that needs to prioritize product, this 44” roll printer offers quick, high-resolution printing. Utilizing the Epson Edge RIP software for layout and consistent color management. A take-up reel allows you to print longer jobs and maximize your printer’s productivity.

Epson SureColor F6470H: The same great printer as the F6470, but with six color channels and several color configurations available, for the shop that wants to offer fluorescents, or a wider color gamut for stunning photography panels, this printer is what you are looking for.

For more information on which printer would be the best for your business, fill out this form and an equipment sales representative will be in contact.

If you are experiencing a paper jam on an Epson SureColor F570, there are some general steps you can take to clear the jam. If you are unable to clear the jam, reach out for additional technical support.

General steps for clearing paper jams on the Epson SureColor F570:

1. Cancel the print job: stop any active print job from your computer.
2. Access the printer: open the front cover of the printer to see if you can access and remove the jammed paper.
3. Gently remove paper: carefully pull the jammed paper out, ensuring you do not tear it.
4. Inspect for debris: use a flashlight to look inside the printer for small, torn pieces of paper or other debris.
5. Restart the printer: once the paper is removed, close the cover and turn the printer on to see if the error is cleared.

For roll paper jams:

1. Open covers: open the cut sheet cover and then the roll paper cover to release the lock on the roll paper.
2. Remove jammed paper: carefully remove the jammed paper from the paper feed path.
3. Close covers: close both the roll paper cover and the cut sheet cover.
4. Continue printing: close the printer and attempt another print.

There can be several reasons you may not be getting proper color transfers when sublimating. Here’s a brief checklist of what to look for to help correct the issue:

• Did the nozzle check pattern print correctly?
• Are you using the recommended paper?
• Are you pressing at the correct time, temperature & pressure?
• What color are your substrates?
• Are your inks proven to work during sublimation?

Because your monitor and printer use different technologies to represent colors, your printed colors can’t exactly match the colors you see on your monitor screen. Set up swatches labeled with the color that corresponds to them. Print a transfer and sublimate it onto the respective substrate. Place this color chart next to your work station & refer to that instead of what you see on the screen.

JPPlus recommends using specialized sublimation paper during the sublimation process. These papers have a coating that helps promote proper image reproduction during the sublimation process. Using uncoated paper can lead to disappointing image results.

Sublimation paper is a specialized paper used in the sublimation printing process, designed to hold and release ink when exposed to heat. Unlike regular printer paper, sublimation paper is coated with a special layer that is typically composed of silica and a binder. This coating absorbs the sublimation ink and allows it to be released when heated. This process enables vibrant, long-lasting prints to be transferred to polyester coated materials.

What makes sublimation paper an important part of the sublimation process:

• Heat Resistance: The paper must withstand the high temperatures used in the sublimation process, without burning or degrading.
• Ink Release: The coating is designed to release the ink efficiently when heated, allowing it to transfer to the substrate.
• Material Compatibility: Sublimation paper is designed for use with sublimation inks and works on polyester fabrics or polyester-coated materials.

Sublimation Paper Types:
Sublimation paper comes in various types, primarily differentiated by their weight, measured in grams per square meter (GSM). Common types include standard, high-release, hybrid sublimation papers, and tacky papers each designed for different substrates and printing needs.

• Standard Sublimation Paper: The most common type, suitable for general printing and a wide range of substrates.
• High-Release Sublimation Paper: Designed for coated and low-porosity materials like ceramics and metals, offering better transfer efficiency.
• Hybrid Sublimation Paper: A versatile option that balances versatility and adhesion, suitable for various applications.
• Tacky Sublimation Paper: Features a built-in adhesive, preventing movement and ghosting during the transfer process, especially useful with fabrics.

Paper Size Options:
Sublimation paper comes in many options. There are sheets available in a wide variety of sizes and rolls of sublimation paper available in varying widths and lengths. Always check to see if your printer has specific recommendations about what sublimation paper sizes are compatible.

Learn how to easily sublimate on tumblers and mugs with shrink wraps with our step-by-step guide. This method is a great tool for sublimation on mugs without a mug press or sublimation tumblers that are too large for your mug press or oddly shaped.

Whether you’re sublimating a small image or a full-wrap sublimation design, the key to vibrant, crisp transfers is applying consistent pressure and heat. Start by securing your printed sublimation transfer to the tumbler or mug using heat-resistant tape. Then, apply a shrink wrap sleeve and use a heat gun to tighten it evenly around the surface to eliminate air pockets and prevent ghosting. Once cool, simply peel off the brittle shrink wrap and transfer paper to reveal your finished product.

View our shrink wrap sleeve guide here to know which wraps are compatible with our drinkware.

Browning (or scorching) of a sublimation print out happens when the print out is too hot for too long and the paper will turn brown. This can result in blurred or incomplete image transfers.

While it might sound counterintuitive, turning the temperature of your heat press UP and reducing press time may help eliminate the issue.

There are several things you can check if your transfers are coming out blurry when pressing an item:

• Make sure transfer is secured with heat tape or medium tack spray for substrates that you cannot use heat tape on.
• Make sure you are pressing the item with the proper time, temperature & pressure.
• Check to be sure you are using the recommended paper.
• Make sure you are printing on the correct side of the paper.
• Make sure you do not have a moisture problem. Try drying the paper on the press or putting a paper towel behind the transfer when you heat press it.

Items for sublimation need to have a polyester coating in order to accept sublimation inks. Uncoated items will not properly accept the inks and the images will not transfer. You can, however, add your own sublimation coating by using a product like Subli Glaze™. Subli Glaze™ is the only do-it-yourself sublimation coating solution that is designed to enable sublimation decoration on a whole range of surfaces such as ceramic, wood, glass, plastic, metal or stone. Coat substrates quickly and easily, making almost any surface sublimation ready!

JPPlus has a full line of sublimation blanks specially designed to accept sublimation inks.

If you’re getting streaks across your image from your sublimation printer, there are a few things you can check to help resolve the issue:

• Check your printer platen gap for your paper thickness.
• Perform a nozzle check. If nozzles are missing, clean the print heads. If the print quality does not improve, repeat the cleaning cycle 3 or 4 times.
• Clean the print head as directed by the printer manufacturer

If your printout appears really light on paper...don’t worry! This is completely normal. Sublimation ink naturally looks very subdued and washed out before you transfer the image. After you transfer the image to your sublimation substrate, the colors should appear as they did in your initial design.

There are free downloadable Tech Tips for sublimation items available through jpplus.com. Those can be found under the “Tech Docs and Downloads” tab at the bottom of each product page.

While time, temperature and pressure vary from substrate to substrate, there are some general guidelines that can send you in the right direction.

One of the most common causes of “blow outs” (spots where the ink did not absorb into the substrate) is moisture. During the pressing process, moisture can form into tiny steam pockets that “blow out” the ink from the substrate...hence the term.

Typically, a small amount of moisture can be absorbed into the substrate without issue. However, harder substrates, such as aluminum and ceramic, can’t absorb that moisture.

The good news is there are a few steps you can take to remove as much moisture as possible!

• Make sure your paper is dry. If it’s been in a sealed container (such as a zip-top bag) that may have been exposed to humidity or moisture, set the paper on your press for a few seconds BUT DON’T PRESS IT. Just expose it to the heat to help remove moisture.
• Use butcher paper or blow out paper instead of a teflon sheet when pressing. The paper may absorb some of the moisture, while the teflon sheet will not. Be sure to use new butcher paper or blow out paper after each transfer.
• Fabrics and garments may also have some moisture trapped in them. Pre-pressing the garment for about 10 seconds will remove any residual moisture as well as give you a nice, crease-free item for the transfer.

The first steps of sublimation often involve the same tools used with other technologies like engraving, screen printing and embroidery. It is only after the final image is printed to paper when sublimation sets itself apart from all other technologies.

Here’s the step-by-step process required to produce a sublimated product:

1. Design and customize a graphic specific to the final product using professional graphics software. Sublimation products showcase millions of colors utilizing high resolution.
2. Print the image to a supported sublimation printer using specialty sublimation inks on sublimation-friendly paper.
3. Face the printed image on the sheet to a sublimation-ready surface (e.g. polyester-based only). Some hard products like plaques and name badges will need to be taped using heat resistant tape. For soft substrates like T-shirts or mouse pads, the transfer can be “tacked” to the product using a light, repositionable adhesive spray available at any hardware, craft or super store, or by using a tacky sublimation paper, currently only available for wide format printers.
4. Place the product and sublimation print under a heat press. Each product type has its own formula for time, temperature and pressure for optimal decorating. Refer to the JPPlus Tech Tips for more information.
5. After the time expires, remove the product (using protective heat gloves is recommended when handling many sublimation products), tear away the transfer and admire the finished image. Besides assembly for some products (e.g. gift boxes, tile murals, etc.), the product is ready for delivery after cooling.

If you’re not sure which file format to use for your design, print, or web project, our resource guide is here to help! Below we break down the most common file types such as PNG, JPEG, SVG, PDF, and more. Whether you’re working with vector graphics, high-resolution photos, or laser and print-ready files, this guide will help you understand file extensions, compression, transparency, scalability, and ideal use cases for each file type.

• SVG: A Scalable Vector Graphics file, or SVG, is a file type for graphics, known for its ability to scale without losing quality. SVGs are defined by mathematical equations that describe shapes, lines, and curves, rather than pixels. SVGs are excellent for logos, icons, and vectored artwork. You can use them with many software types from printing, website design, to laser engraving. They are not suitable for use with photographs.
• PDF: Portable Document Format or PDFs are a common and versatile file format used in graphic design and printing due to their ability to preserve design integrity, maintain color accuracy, and ensure consistent display across different platforms. PDFs ensure that the design looks the same on different computers and devices, regardless of the software or fonts used to create it. PDFs can handle complex designs, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. PDFs can maintain color accuracy, which is essential for clients who rely on precise color reproduction in their designs. PDFs are often optimized for printing, allowing designers to embed color profiles, manage separations, and control output settings for high-quality results.
• PNG: Portable Network Graphics file, or PNG, is a raster image file type. It’s known for its ability to handle images with transparent or semi-transparent backgrounds, making it a popular choice for web graphics, logos, and icons. By utilizing lossless compression, PNGs can compress images without losing any image data, preserving quality even after multiple edits. They support transparency, which is crucial for layered images and web design. PNGs primarily run RGB color profiles. The PNG is a universally supported format, with excellent compatibility across different browsers and image editing software.
• JPEG: A Joint Photographic Experts Group file, or JPEG (JPG), is a raster image format known for its lossy compression, which helps reduce file sizes for easier sharing and storage. JPEG files achieve smaller file sizes by discarding some image data during compression. This process means that some image quality is sacrificed to reduce file size. These files also do not support transparency, meaning they are not suitable for images where parts of the image need to be seen through. These files can also contain metadata, such as information about the camera settings used to capture the image, the date and time it was taken, and even location data. JPEGs are versatile and widely used for various purposes, including digital photography, and social media sharing.

You will always want to verify what file types are compatible with the software and technology you use, as some equipment needs specific file types, while others can handle multiple different types of files.

The main categories of heat presses are clamshell, swing-away, and specialty heat presses. Each type offers unique features and is suited for different applications and personal preferences.

Let's take a more detailed look:

• Clamshell Heat Presses: These presses feature a top platen that opens and closes like a clamshell, pressing down onto the lower platen. They offer solid pressure and heat distribution, which is ideal for sublimation. While great for flat items, like name tags, ornaments, and t-shirts, they can be less convenient for thicker substrates as they require more space to open.
• Swing-Away Heat Presses: The top platen swings away, either to the side or back from the lower platen, providing a clear view of the substrate and allowing for easy placement of materials. Swing-away can open to the left or right side, while other swing-away versions offer a drawer or slider feature, where the top platen lifts upwards and the bottom platen slides forward. Both versions of the swing away press are better suited for thicker materials due to how the top platen closes straight down. They also offer better visibility for positioning and alignment of transfers on substrates; however, they tend to be larger and will require more available workspace than a clamshell.
• Specialty Heat Presses: This category includes presses designed for specific items like mug presses or hat presses. They are optimized for the unique shapes and sizes of these items, ensuring even heat and pressure distribution. Many models of mug press offer different size attachments for the variety of sizes and shapes available in drinkware. While hat presses can have different size platens to fit different size hats. One drawback of either mug presses or hat presses is that they are focused only on specific items.

When choosing a heat press for sublimation, consider the type of projects you'll be doing, the size of the items, and your budget. Factors like temperature accuracy, pressure adjustment, and ease of use are also important considerations.

If you are just starting out with sublimation or toner heat transfer, you may be curious what style of heat press is right for you. Some of the factors to consider before purchasing your swing-away or clamshell heat press are listed below.

Clamshell Heat Press:

• Space-saving: Clamshell presses are known for their smaller footprint, making them suitable for smaller workspaces or when space is at a premium.
• Cost-effective: Generally, clamshell presses are more budget-friendly than swing-away models.
• Ease of use: Clamshell presses are often considered easier to operate, especially for beginners.
• Ideal for flat, thin materials: They excel at pressing heat transfer vinyl (HTV) onto t-shirts and other flat, thin substrates like keychains and photo panels.

Swing-Away Heat Press:

• Safer operation: The swing-away design keeps the heated platen away from the user during loading and unloading, reducing the risk of burns.
• More even pressure distribution: Swing-away presses are known for their ability to apply consistent pressure across the entire pressing area, which is crucial for achieving high-quality transfers on thicker materials or specialty applications like white toner 2-step papers and DTF transfers.
• Versatility for thicker materials: They can handle thicker items like plaques, awards, and certain sublimation blanks more effectively due to the way the heating element presses down vertically.
• Ideal for high-volume businesses: The faster and more precise nature of the swing-away press can be beneficial for businesses with high production demands.
• Requires more space: The swing-away arm requires additional space around the press, which may be a drawback in smaller workspaces.