ImagesMagUK_July_2021

TIPS & TECHNIQUES KB www.images-magazine.com 48 images JULY 2021 I t’s little wonder that those new to decorating are attracted by dye sublimation printing. Not only does it offer a vibrantly coloured, durable print that can be applied to a wide – and ever-increasing – range of products, but as Jim Nicol, managing director of TheMagicTouch, which supplies dye sub equipment and consumables, explains: “Sublimation offers low entry- level cost with minimal space requirement. The biggest advantage of all digital transfer technologies is the ability to produce one-off personalised product samples for customer evaluation – a sales and marketing dream come true.” For those not in the know, dye sublimation printing involves printing an image via a digital inkjet printer onto transfer paper. The transfer paper is then put on a blank garment and heat and pressure are applied, causing the ink to turn into a gas. The gas transfers into the textile’s yarns (as opposed to sitting on the surface of the garment), turns back into an ink and permanently dyes the fibres. The process works on white or light-coloured polyester-based garments and polyester- coated objects. Want to get your new dye sublimation printing business off to a flying start? Read our insider tips from industry experts on how to be successful from the get-go Dye sublimation printers come in various sizes, explains Encarna Luque, product manager for sublimation and inks at Roland DG EMEA, which manufactures dye sublimation printing equipment. “As a rule of thumb, for smaller producers looking to offer personal items such as T-shirts, bags, and home accessories, a desktop printer will be suitable. For producers looking to offer longer print runs or non-stop production, a wide-format machine may be more appropriate. These machines can come as large as 3.2 metres in width, allowing producers to create large home décor items such as curtains and bed covers.” [Turn to page 50 for our sublimation equipment and consumables showcase.] Choosing the right machine is not enough, however. Having a solid sales and marketing plan in place is also vital, says Jim, in order to ensure you are setting the right price on your decorated products to receive a viable return on your investment. He reports that the most popular product for desktop sublimation has, for the past 30 years, been white mugs. “Other products that remain strong sellers Sublimation success for newbies Ghosting and using too much ink are common issues that are easily resolved, says Alex Mighall from R A Smart Encarna Luque of Roland DG EMEA recommends doing test prints on white versions of the substrate first to avoid costly mistakes later