What''s exactly function of sublimation paper (1)

What's exactly function of sublimation paper (1)

Sublimation printing can provide a high fidelity image on a print substrate. Sublimation printing generally refers to a printing process Where a desired image is reverse printed on sublimation paper by a conventional printing technique (e.g., ink jet printing) to provide a reverse printed sublimation transfer paper. The reverse printed dye sublimation paper can be combined With a print substrate in a sublimator to provide sublimation printing from the reverse printed sublimation transfer paper to the print substrate. Depending on the sublimable ink selected for sublimation printing, the conditions Within the sublimator can vary to achieve sublimation printing. Sublimation printing can result from a combination of conditions Wherein the conditions include time, temperature, and pressure. The desired level of transfer of sublimable dye can be achieved by selecting the desired time, temperature, and pressure that the sublimation transfer paper and the printing substrate are subjected. For example, it may be possible to achieve transfer at room temperature by adjusting the time and pressure to Which the sublimation transfer paper and the printing substrate are subjected. The literature reports sublimation temperatures in excess of 600 C. to achieve transfer of a sublimable dye. Reported sublimation printing temperatures can be in the range of about 170° C. to about 210° C. In general, the surface of the sublimation transfer paper that is printed on can contact the surface of the printing substrate during sublimation printing. The sublimation transfer paper and the printing substrate can be held together by pressure.

An image generally refers to a representation that can include Words, numbers, pictures, designs, or any combination thereof. Often, athletic team jerseys include Words (e.g., team name and player name), a number (e.g., player number), and a design (e.g., team logo). The Words, numbers, and designs, alone or in combination, can be considered an image. In addition, Whatever is printed on a sign obanner can be considered an image. The reverse of the image can be applied to sublimation.

Sublimation printing is advantageous for printing on substrates Where it is dif?cult to achieve a high fidelity image on the substrate by conventional printing techniques such as ink jet printing, ?exo graphic printing, offset printing,and rotary screen printing. For example, the print substrate may be a substrate that has a shape or texture that is difficult to feed to a printer, or it may be a substrate that does not readily receive high fidelity images by conventional printing techniques. Exemplary articles having a print substrate that can be advantageously printed on by sublimation printing include textiles (e. g., fabric and clothing) and articles having a metal, glass, ceramic, or plastic surface. Textiles that are often printed on using sublimation printing include clothing (e.g., t-shirts and jerseys), banners, and signs.

A high fidelity image refers to an image that has a desired level of clarity and a desired color. The desired level of clarity and the desired color can be controlled so that the result is reproducible from print to print. In general, When sublimable ink is printed on sublimation transfer paper, it is
often applied as a series of dots Where the dots have varying color. As a result of dye transfer in a sublimator, the dyes combine to form the desired color on the printing substrate, and provide the desired image clarity. The sublimation transfer paper can be constructed to improve the resulting image on the sublimation printing substrate. The sublimation transfer paper can be constructed to improve the Way the paper receives the sublimable ink as a result of reverse printing, and then releases the sublimable dyes during sublimation printing. Because sublimable inks can be fairly expensive, it is desirable to provide sublimation transfer paper that increases
the efficiency of sublimable dye transfer during sublimation printing to decrease the amount of sublimable ink needed to provide a desired image as a result of sublimation printing. The sublimation transfer paper can be provided so that the paper substrate and the sublimable ink receptive coating on the paper substrate receive the sublimable inks and hold the sublimable dyes in a position that alloWs for e?icient transfer of the sublimable dyes during sublimation printing. In theory, the sublimation transfer paper receives the sublimable ink as a result of reverse printing, alloWs for separation of the ink carrier and the sublimable dye so that the ink carrier moves into the sublimable ink receptive coating and into the paper substrate, and the sublimable dyes remain on or in the sublimable ink receptive coating. By providing the sublimable dyes on or in the sublimable ink receptive coating, the sublimable dyes are readily available for sublimation printing upon reaching sublimation conditions. The separation of the ink carrier and the sublimable dye helps facilitate the drying of the sublimable ink. In addition, the selection of the paper substrate and the sublimable ink receptive coating can help direct the sublimable dyes so they move in a desired direction during sublimation printing (e.g., to Ward the printing surface and aWay from the transfer paper) so that the dyes more
efficiently reach the printing surface Where they provide the desired image. By selecting the paper substrate and the sub limable ink receptive coating, it is possible to decrease the amount of sublimable ink needed to achieve a desired image, and it is possible to improve the resulting image achieved by sublimation printing. Accordingly, selecting the paper substrate and the sublimable ink receptive coating can decrease the amount of sublimable ink needed and can enhance the resulting image quality.