Hey there! As a supplier of 85gsm Fast Dry Sublimation Paper, I often get asked whether this paper requires special inks. Well, let's dive right into this topic and clear up any confusion.
First off, let's understand what 85gsm Fast Dry Sublimation Paper is. The "85gsm" refers to the gram - per - square - meter measurement of the paper. This means that for every square meter of the paper, it weighs 85 grams. The "Fast Dry" part is a key feature. It allows the ink to dry quickly after being printed on the paper, which is super useful in a high - volume printing environment. Sublimation paper, in general, is used in the sublimation printing process. This process involves transferring a design from the paper to another material, usually a polyester - based fabric or a hard surface like ceramic or metal, through heat and pressure.
Now, onto the big question: does it need special inks? The short answer is yes, but it's a bit more nuanced than that.
Sublimation inks are unique. They are made up of special dyes that, when heated, turn from a solid state directly into a gas without going through the liquid phase. This is called sublimation (hence the name of the printing process). When the gaseous ink comes into contact with the receiving material under heat and pressure, it bonds with the fibers of the material, creating a permanent and vivid print.
Regular inks, like those used in standard inkjet printers for home or office use, won't work with 85gsm Fast Dry Sublimation Paper. Why? Well, regular inks are designed to sit on the surface of the paper and dry through evaporation. They don't have the properties needed to sublimate and transfer to another material. If you try to use regular inks on sublimation paper, you'll end up with a mess. The ink won't dry properly on the fast - dry paper, and it definitely won't transfer to the receiving material when you apply heat and pressure.
So, what makes sublimation inks "special"?
- Dye Composition: Sublimation inks are formulated with dyes that have a low melting point and can easily sublimate at the temperatures used in the sublimation process (usually around 350 - 400°F or 177 - 204°C). These dyes are carefully selected to ensure bright colors, good colorfastness, and long - lasting prints.
- Compatibility with Printing Systems: Sublimation inks are designed to work with specific types of printers, such as inkjet printers modified for sublimation printing. They have the right viscosity and flow characteristics to be ejected from the printer nozzles smoothly and form a clear and accurate print on the sublimation paper.
When using 85gsm Fast Dry Sublimation Paper, it's crucial to choose the right sublimation inks. There are different brands and types of sublimation inks available in the market. Some are better suited for printing on fabrics, while others are more suitable for hard surfaces. You need to consider the end - use of your prints when selecting the inks.
For example, if you're printing on a polyester fabric for a custom - made T - shirt, you'll want to choose inks that are optimized for fabric printing. These inks will provide a soft feel on the fabric and excellent color saturation. On the other hand, if you're printing on a ceramic mug, you'll need inks that can withstand the high - temperature firing process required to bond the ink to the ceramic surface.
Another factor to consider is the quality of the inks. High - quality sublimation inks will produce better results. They'll have more consistent color output, less clogging in the printer nozzles, and longer shelf life. Cheaper, lower - quality inks may save you some money upfront, but they can cause problems in the long run, such as poor color accuracy, inconsistent prints, and damage to your printer.
Now, I know what you might be thinking. "This all sounds great, but what about other types of sublimation paper?" Well, we also offer 120gsm Fast Dry Sublimation Paper, 95gsm Fast Dry Sublimation Paper, and 63gsm Fast Dry Sublimation Paper. All of these papers follow the same principle when it comes to inks. They all require sublimation inks for the sublimation printing process to work effectively.
The main difference between these different weights of sublimation paper is the amount of ink they can hold and the type of applications they're best suited for. Heavier papers like the 120gsm can hold more ink, which is great for detailed and high - density prints. Lighter papers like the 63gsm are more flexible and may be better for applications where a thinner paper is required, such as on some types of fabrics.
In conclusion, 85gsm Fast Dry Sublimation Paper does require special inks, namely sublimation inks. These inks are essential for the sublimation printing process to work and to achieve high - quality, long - lasting prints. If you're in the business of sublimation printing or looking to start, make sure you invest in the right sublimation inks and the right sublimation paper.
If you're interested in purchasing our 85gsm Fast Dry Sublimation Paper or any of our other paper options, we'd love to hear from you. Whether you're a small - scale crafter or a large - scale printing business, we can provide you with the best products to meet your needs. Reach out to us to start a conversation about your requirements and let's work together to create amazing prints.
References
- "Sublimation Printing: A Comprehensive Guide" by Print Industry Experts
- "Inks for Sublimation Printing" - Technical Papers from Ink Manufacturers
