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Thursday, September 6, 2012

What You Should Know About Heat Pressing on Dye Sublimated Fabrics

By Jim Hingst

Without an anti-migration blocking layer, dye migration can discolor an applique. In the photo above the white polyurethane heat transfer film turned a light grey within 72 hours of heat pressing. 


 What is Dye Sublimation?


Most polyester fabrics, such as many of the popular “Performance Garments”, are dyed using a sublimation process. The dye sublimation process uses high heat to permanently fuse   the colorant   into a polyester fabric.

Heat serves two critical functions in this dying process.  First, the heat causes the pores of the polyester fabric to open up, so the material can accept the dye.  And second, the heat converts the solid ink dye on a transfer sheet into a gas.

Under pressure of the heat press, the gaseous dye is forced into the open pores of the polyester.  As the temperature drops, the pores close up capturing the dye inside of the bonds to the substrate.  

The sublimated color is very durable because the dye becomes an integral   part of the fabric, rather than a colorant on the outside of the fibers of the fabric, which can bleed and fade.  Sublimated fabrics can be washed again and again, without losing the vibrancy of its color.


Dye Migration Can Discolor Heat Transfer Appliques

There’s one slight catch, though. When you heat press an applique onto a sublimated garment, the high heat can release the dye in the fabric.  These dyes can then migrate and discolor a heat transfer vinyl applique.

Discoloration resulting from dye migration does not occur immediately. Instead it is a gradual process, which may take as long as 72 hours to occur.  For example, a white applique heat pressed onto a black sublimated garment is likely to turn grey over time.

Heat Transfer Films with an Anti-Migration Layer


To prevent discoloration, many of our SEF heat transfer films incorporate our SubliBlock (SBB) blocking layer.  These products incorporate a second layer of  film, which blocks dye migration. While this second layer adds to the thickness of the applique, it is much more effective in preventing discoloration compared to other products, which utilize adhesive additives to perform the blocking function.

SEF heat transfer films, which incorporate  SubliBlock include:
·         FlexCut Sticky SubliBlock, a polyurethane film for plotter cutting.
·         Tatoo SubliBlock, a digitally printable polyurethane film.
·         FiberPlus SubliBlock, a polyester flock film for dye sublimation printing.

About Heat Press Machines for Heat Transfer Vinyl


Selling heat transfer appliques to your existing customer base is a great way to increase your shop’s sales at high profit margins without a lot of effort.  The manufacturing process is not very complicated, so there is not much to learn. What you will need is a good heat press machine. Hotronix is one of the best brands on the market. Here are  some of their best selling models:  


Hotronix Hover 16x20" Heat Press Auto Open  - Heat Transfer Press Machine 



Features of the Hotronix Hover 16” x 20" Heat Press Machine:

● Heavy-duty professional grade machine with proven performance.

● Opens automatically. This prevents scorching of heat transfer films.

● Opens wide providing safe and easy layout and removal of garments.

● Easy to read digital display.

● Clamshell design saves space.

● Easy to use.

● Made in the U.S.A.




Hotronix Fusion Heat Press 16" x 20"

The Hotronix Fusion 16" x 20" Heat Transfer Press provides the following features:

● Large 16" X 20" heat platen accommodates most garments.
● Modern, easy-to-read digital display for time, temperature and pressure.
● Durable, scratch resistant powder coat finish.
● Easy to operate. Require minimal training.
● Heavy-duty construction for reliable performance.
● Energy-saving sleep mode.

● Made in the U.S.A.



Hotronix Air Fusion 16"x20"
 Hotronix Air Fusion 16"x20" Heat Press Swing-Away Table Top features the following:
● Heavy-duty version of the FUSION® Heat Press is designed for high volume work.
● Powered by an air compressor. Pneumatic regulator which auto-adjusts pressure.
● High-tech power with hands-free auto-swing for superior ease of use.
● Touch screen controller.
● 16"x20".


Hotronix MAXX Cap Heat Press 


Hotronix MAXX Cap Heat Press 3.5" x 6" provides the following features:

● Easy-to-read digital time and temperature display.

● Consistent heat and pressure from edge-to-edge.

● Coated non-stick heat platen.

● Lightweight and portable for mobile heat printing.

● Interchangeable platens available.




ARTICLES ABOUT HEAT TRANSFER FILMS

Laminating Application Tape and Hot Mask Films
Stretching Garments Prior to Heat Pressing
The Differences Between Polyurethane and Vinyl Films
Printing Tatoo with Seiko Fluorescent Inks
Reflective Heat Transfer Films
SEF Heat Transfer Films Instructions
Introducing Tatoo Printable Heat Transfer Films
HotMask Polyester Transfer Tapes
Correcting Plotter Cutting Problems When Cutting H...
Which Films Stick to Coated Fabrics? 
The Difference between FlexCut Sticky and FlexCut ...
Heat Transfer Films Product Application Chart
Rules for Overlaying Heat Transfer Films 
Comparing Heat Transfer Films with Screen Printed ...
Peel Recommendations for Heat Transfer Films
Heat Pressing Appliques on Leather 
Plotter Cutting Heat Transfer Films
Cutting & Weeding Tips for Heat Transfer Films
The Trouble with Shrinking Shirts
Caring for Garments with Heat Transfers


About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer.  Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.

Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for  publications, such as  Signs Canada, SignCraft,  Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and  Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 485 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.



© 2015 Jim Hingst

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