Direct printing and dye sublimation are two distinct but very effective digital printing methods. What is the difference between the two printing methods? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Which printing method is best for your printing needs? As a professional DTF Film and sublimation paper manufacturer, Wellye brings you more information.
What is Sublimation Transfer Printing
Dye-sub is a core method of printing on fabrics. Dye graphics are available in a variety of equipment and inks from entry-level to industrial-level.
Dye printing requires heat—sublimation occurs when the solidified ink is heated, becomes gaseous, and penetrates the substrate. With direct dyes, the sublimation process occurs directly on the fabric. Using transfer dyes, the graphics are first printed onto sublimation paper and then injected onto the fabric by an external heat source. Although transfer and direct methods are different, they also share many benefits.
What is Direct Printing
Essentially, direct printing uses a digital printer to digitize images that are then printed directly onto textiles and fabrics. Direct printing easily supports complex artwork, full-color photographs, and high-color-count artwork. If you are looking to print complex designs and want high quality results, please request direct printing for your work
The Benefits of Sublimation
There is no one-size-fits-all printing method, and every method and technique has benefits. However, dye substitution is a preferred method of fabric printing for durability and color.
Dye sublimation offers a wide and vivid color gamut, usually only four colors. It is easier for print suppliers to capture and reproduce the nuances of graphics. The richness of the graphic is due to the way the dye or ink is injected directly into the substrate. This saturation produces exceptional output and a high-quality look. Sublimated fabrics can also be stretched into countless shapes and forms, so the only limit is imagination. Other techniques develop cracks and cracks as they stretch and fold.
The Difference Between Sublimation Transfer and Direct Printing
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Dye sublimation is suitable for long-term and short-term applications.
Both transmission and direct are suitable for short- and long-term indoor applications such as point-of-purchase (POP) and trade show displays. Each of these two dye sub-methods has unique benefits. Some printing suppliers prefer to transfer dyes and find it easier to print directly on sublimation transfer paper rather than fabric. The transfer process enables printing on a wider range of substrates, some of which are challenges for direct printing, such as velvet and most fabrics with less than 50% polyester content.
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Sublimation transfer printing is more suitable for outdoor
Transfer printing does not have the same UV resistance as some printing methods, so it is not commonly used in outdoor applications. However, providing rich, deep color makes it popular in many other uses and settings.
Dye transfer printing is popular for its high definition and color, and is the first choice for interior signage, home decor fabrics. Transfers provide sharper images and contours, ideal for this area of application.
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Direct printing is more suitable for outdoor
Direct dyes are often required to coat textiles because it allows proofs to be checked at the printing stage without transfer and the risk of failure is reduced by skipping the transfer process.
Direct stains are great for outdoor applications, partly because of durability and partly because the process allows for front-to-back bleed, which is ideal for banners and flags.
Choosing the right ink can improve the durability and longevity of your direct-to-print graphics.
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Defects of direct printing
Compared to other digital fabric printing methods (such as dye sublimation), the image clarity of direct printing is sometimes not as clear and sharp, which may be the result of a combination of factors such as ink type, fabric texture or the textile itself, pretreatment agents, and even temperature .
Post care and maintenance of fabrics or textiles can be challenging as the quality of prints on fabrics can degrade over time due to excessive washing and wear, which means that special care needs to be taken to keep prints vibrant and long-lasting.
Direct printing costs are high, and ink, equipment, maintenance and R&D costs are high.
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Defects of sublimation printing
Sublimation printing can only print onto fabrics up to 10 feet wide, which requires seams for larger print jobs.
Sublimation printing is very limited, such as polyester materials. Dye sublimation is not suitable for applications with natural fibers such as cotton unless they are pretreated with a polymer coating before printing.
Dye sublimation requires specially formulated inks that do not convert to liquids and specialized printers that are compatible with these specialized cartridges, which means this printing method is not the most cost-effective option, especially for high-volume printing.
Sublimation printing is a slow and laborious printing process that cannot be printed in quick succession, but instead prints each item individually and requires the extra step of printing transfer paper.
Advantages of Sublimation Transfer Printing and Direct Printing
Color Vibrancy
Sublimation transfer printing technology can print very vivid and bright colors on the printed matter, while direct printing may cause the colors to be less vivid due to the quality of the printing base color and pigments.
Image Clarity
Sublimation transfer technology can print very high-definition images, while direct printing may cause blurry images due to printing machine precision issues.
Printable materials
Sublimation transfer technology can be printed on a variety of different materials, including textiles, ceramics, glass, metal, etc., while direct printing is usually only available on some specific materials.
Durability
Sublimation transfer technology can produce very durable prints because the printing pigments are fused with the material molecules. The durability of direct printing depends on the pigments and materials used.
Generally speaking, sublimation transfer printing technology has advantages in terms of color brilliance, image clarity, printable materials and durability, etc., but the cost of sublimation transfer printing is relatively high, and it is suitable for products that have higher requirements for printing effects make. Direct printing is suitable for projects that need to be printed quickly and at a lower cost.
Direct printing and dye sublimation are useful in their own right, offering different printing methods for your fabrics, textiles, and other substrates. With these two printing methods, you can get high-quality prints of stunning images. It's about choosing the right printing method for your specific needs.
If you are in need of purchasing suitable printing consumables, please contact us. We will provide you with a complete digital printing solution.
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