When discussing sublimation technology, most people talk about printers and inks. However, the grammage of the sublimation paper is also very important.
There are many types of sublimation paper on the market. A common way to distinguish different sublimation papers is by weight.
So how to properly sublimate your designs?
1. Select the appropriate weight according to the amount of ink loaded.
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Low ink levels.
When printing low-ink images, the images are not complicated and the colors are rich, such as swimwear, you can choose 75g or 100g. As long as the ambient humidity is 40%-60% RH, sublimation paper can be printed smoothly.
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High ink volume.
When printing a large area of dark color, such as a large area of black, it is best to choose 120gsm sublimation paper, and the ideal humidity is between 60%-70%RH.
Ink load is an important factor because it is related to the water absorption of the paper. Sublimation paper is fragile because it gets wet easily, so the higher the ink content, the heavier the paper must be in order to accept the moisture in the ink without any printing problems.
2. Printing environment and relative humidity conditions:
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Low humidity.
Relative humidity below 45%RH (without humidifier when printing), you should choose 75gsm paper. Because in low humidity, the paper shrinks, causing the print surface to curve upwards. At the same time, the paper absorbs water during the printing process, making the paper more wrinkled. We recommend you to choose 75gsm, because 100gsm, 120gsm are thicker than 75gsm, the paper is stiffer and they will rub the print head badly. But 75gsm is thinner and softer and will reduce wrinkles.
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High humidity.
Thicker papers 120gsm, 140gsm work better than thinner papers when the humidity is above 70%RH (you don't have a dehumidifier in your printing room). Because the paper immediately absorbs moisture from the air, softening the paper and reducing stiffness. 75g and 100g paper do not have good stiffness under high humidity after absorbing moisture, and it will be difficult to print.
3. Roll to Roll or Roll to Sheet
The roll-to-roll operation of the printer allows a certain amount of tension control. Although printers of different types and makes vary widely in this regard, in general, roll-to-roll printing yields better process control than roll-to-single printing, which cuts the web immediately after the printhead. In addition, when the printing paper is processed from the roll in the transfer calender, the conditions are very suitable for the use of lightweight paper.
4. Printing speed
The higher the printing speed, the lower the paper weight can be. Wrinkling can cause problems mainly when it occurs directly under the print head. Paper used for open substrates is designed to slow down water absorption in the paper structure. It can be seen that the higher printing speed keeps the wrinkle under the print head away from the dangerous area. So in MS high-speed printers, people usually use 60gsm sublimation paper, the printer will work faster and faster in the future, and the printing paper will be thinner and thinner.
To print the perfect design, choosing the right sublimation paper is critical. If you are looking for suitable sublimation paper and sublimation paper ink, you can contact us and we will provide late sublimation solutions.
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