Boost Your Designs! The Best Sublimation Paper Choices
What to Look For When Choosing The Best Sublimation Paper?
The better question might be, ‘What is the best sublimation paper for you?’ This depends on the type of printer and inks you are using.
There are other factors to consider as well:
- Your printer’s size
- Substrate size
- Your budget, as always
If you are wondering ‘What is sublimation paper?’ here are a few things you should know.
The use of sublimation printing is becoming increasingly popular among printers to create high-quality, vibrant, and long-lasting prints on a variety of substrates. In order to achieve excellent results, it is essential to use the right sublimation paper. In spite of this, there are many types and brands of sublimation paper available on the market, making it challenging to choose the right one when buying sublimation paper.
Basically, sublimation transfer paper is merely a medium for transferring ink from your printer to the substrate under high pressure and heat. It plays a crucial role in the sublimation printing process as it facilitates the transfer of ink onto the substrate accurately and efficiently.
Some of the most important requirements for sublimation heat transfer paper are as follows:
- The Ink must remain crisp on the paper and not be absorbed
- Ink must be released from the paper when it is heated
- A heat press needs transfer paper that can handle 400°F
There are Several Types of Sublimation Paper
A sublimation paper can be classified into main two types: a low-release and a high-release type.
Low-Release Sublimation Paper
It is ideal for printing on hard materials such as ceramics, metals, and glass because low-release sublimation paper absorbs little ink. By doing so, better ink transfer can be achieved, so the ink remains on the surface of the substrate rather than being absorbed by it.
High-Release Sublimation Paper
High-release sublimation paper absorbs a lot of ink, so it’s good for printing on soft materials like fabrics. This allows the ink to penetrate the substrate, resulting in vibrant and longer-lasting prints.
Other Types of Sublimation Transfer Paper Available
There are many types of best sublimation papers available on the market today. There are some manufacturers who categorize their sublimation products according to their size or weight.
Inkjet Sublimation Paper
This is the most common transfer paper used for sublimation. Inkjet sublimation printers are compatible with this paper, which is also known as A-Sub. It is usually recommended to use Brother or Epson printer for sublimation printing.
Quick-Drying Sublimation Paper
In general, sublimation papers are quick drying, but you should choose the one with the fastest drying rate. The quick drying time of A-Sub sublimation paper makes it a popular paper among sublimation printers.
Sublimation Paper by Weight
The weight of sublimation paper ranges from 50 grams to 150 grams. The ability of thicker paper to hold more ink results in better results. The more ink you use, the more vibrant colors you will be able to heat press onto your t-shirts.
The ideal gsm is approximately 120gsm. It should be noted, however, that different fabrics or materials require different gsm. In the case of ceramic surfaces, 50 gsm paper would be suitable. Some industrial printers require low gsm papers for high-speed printing.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Sublimation Papers
If you are a beginner, it can be challenging to choose the right sublimation paper. For sublimation printing, you will need a compatible inkjet printer, sublimation dyes, and sublimation paper. In order to buy the best sublimation paper for your next project, there are a few things to consider. The following factors should be considered when selecting a good sublimation paper:
Substrate Type
Choosing a sublimation paper requires consideration of the type of substrate you will be printing on. In order to print on hard substrates, you should use low-release sublimation paper, while soft substrates should be printed with high-release sublimation paper.
Size and Thickness
It is important to choose a size and thickness of sublimation paper that is compatible with your printer and substrate. There is a relationship between the thickest sublimation paper and the amount of ink it can hold, whereas thicker paper is able to hold more ink.
A4 is the most common size of paper, followed by letter and legal. Using them is a great way to transfer designs onto t-shirts. There are some that come in rolls for larger designs.
In order to decorate more challenging items such as mugs and plates, you will require special-sized paper, such as 4×9 mug sheets. This size of best paper is not available for all brands.
Sublimation Ink Compatibility
The colors on your finished product will pop when you use an inkjet printer or a sublimation printer with specific inks.
Gel-based inks are compatible with sublimation printers, while water-based inks are suitable for inkjet printers. Moreover, certain types of papers work better with certain types of ink, giving the user even greater flexibility and control.
Design
In order to achieve a great design, you should take into account your artwork and graphics requirements when choosing your paper. It is recommended that you choose a sturdier and thinner paper when your design has a greater depth of color.
Although, sublimation papers may be suitable if there is a large amount of white space involved in the design. You will be able to create an impressive piece of artwork if you choose the right combination of paper and design.
Transfer Rate
In order to purchase a sublimation paper, it is essential to know the transfer rate. The efficiency and accuracy with which the dye in sublimation designs is transferred to a dark or light fabric depend on this factor.
It is less likely that a high transfer rate will result in color inconsistencies or design imperfections. It is recommended that you set your default transfer rate to 95% for optimal results.
Drying Time
Your production speed may be affected by the drying time of the sublimation paper. A faster-drying paper enables quicker production times.
Those who have ever done a little DIY know the importance of quick-drying materials. There is no doubt that it is quite frustrating to have to stop your project in order to allow it to dry. While additional tools can be used to speed up the drying process, the added time might be counterproductive.
With “quick-drying” papers, your design can be seamlessly transferred onto the substrate and professional quality results can be achieved in a short period of time. You should not allow the slow drying time to limit your creativity. Take advantage of the genius invention known as quick-drying.
Weight
In order to make an artistic statement, the right weight can make all the difference between a faded impression and an artistic statement. When printing bold, vibrant colors on fabric, heavier paper with a higher gsm weight is recommended. As a result, your print will be able to withstand deep saturation better with a thicker foundation.
If you are concerned with frugality over artistry and do not mind somewhat softer prints, then you may wish to consider lighter paper. Saving money does not have to mean compromising on quality. The ideal range of sublimation paper weight is between 105 and 130 grams.
Coating
It is important to select the right type of coating for your project in the same way as finding the perfect puzzle piece. Compared to resin-coated paper, the clay-coated paper may not be as flashy. When it comes to transferring inks onto hard substrates such as ceramics and porcelain, this lower-cost option performs exceptionally well.
As a result of the superior stickiness of resin-coated paper, it is an ideal medium for transferring dyes to textiles. When you have access to these two types of coating, you will be able to create something truly exceptional and unique.
We will conclude this section by stating that sublimation heat transfer paper must possess certain characteristics in order to be effective. In the first place, it must be able to hold the printed design without bleeding.
Additionally, the paper is capable of handling extreme heat during the process of transferring designs. By applying the right amount of heat, these papers activate and release their contents accurately, leaving behind a magnificent work of art.
Here Are The Top 5 Brands of Sublimation Paper
As a result of extensive research, sublimation paper comparison, and testing, we have come up with a list of the top five best brands of sublimation paper on the market.
1. TexPrint Sublimation Paper
The TexPrint brand is recognized for producing high-quality sublimation papers. The company offers a wide range of paper sizes and types, suitable for various substrates. As a result of its excellent ink transferability, TexPrint sublimation paper is compatible with most sublimation inks.
2. Beaver Sublimation Paper
There is a wide range of many different sublimation papers and paper products available under the Beaver brand, both for hard and soft substrates. The Beaver sublimation paper works well with most sublimation inks and produces vibrant and durable prints due to its excellent color reproduction.
3. Koala Sublimation Paper
The Koala brand of sublimation paper offers a variety of sizes and types of paper that can be used on a variety of substrates. Prints produced on their Koala sublimation paper also have a fast drying time and high ink transferability, resulting in high-quality prints.
4. DyeMaster SublimationPaper
A leading brand of dye sublimation paper, DyeMaster produces high-quality papers suitable for both hard and soft substrates. As a result of their excellent ink transferability, their paper produces vibrant and durable prints.
5. Forever Sublimation Paper
Among the leading brands of sublimation paper, Forever offers a variety of paper types for a variety of substrates. In addition to being ink transferable, their paper is compatible with most sublimation inks, resulting in high-quality prints.
You Should Know These Tips and Tricks About Sublimation Paper
- Using a heat press, the sublimation ink is transferred to the garment, fabric, or other surface using sublimation paper. The image will not be transferred even if you use an ordinary home iron as it does not get hot enough or cover the entire area.
- It is not recommended to use copy paper, despite what you may have heard. There is a possibility that copy paper may bleed or transfer the ink inconsistently, and you do not want to waste your expensive ink in such a way.
- High-quality paper DOES make a difference in the quality and color of your work.
- The colors may appear OFF or muted until they are pressed. It is perfectly normal and acceptable for that to happen.
- You should be aware of the dangers of humidity. If there is excessive moisture in the air or on the paper, your project may be damaged. Color shifting, image bleeding, and uneven transfers may result from this process. There may also be a problem with the transfer not lying flat. It is also prone to curling and peeling at the edges. Keep the humidity under control when using heat transfer paper to make sure your project looks great. The difference between a stunning creation and one that’s better forgotten may be in the details!
Is Dark Transfer Paper Better Than Light Transfer Paper?
The best way to answer this question is to understand the differences between the two papers. A heat transfer paper that is ironed on usually falls into this category. Sublimation, on the other hand, uses light transfer paper with a transparent background.
Just for discussion’s sake, let’s differentiate between light and dark iron-on transfer paper. White and light-colored t-shirts can both use dark and light transfer paper. However, since dark shirts are backed with white material, you can only use dark transfer paper for dark garments.
It is necessary to reverse the image when printing on light transfer paper. Dark transfer paper, on the other hand, does not require reversing during printing.
It is therefore important to choose the right high-quality paper that matches the color of the fabric or material.
Heat Transfer Paper vs. Sublimation Paper
There is no difference in the printing process for these papers. In order to transfer your design, you will need specialty paper on which you will print your design and a heat press machine. Differences can be found in the type of paper used, the type of printer, and the type of ink.
You can use heat transfer paper to use with either inkjet ink or laserjet ink. They cannot be interchanged because the results will be different. Heat transfer paper can be printed using an inkjet home printer.
Sublimation paper, on the other hand, is compatible only with printers that use dye-based or sublimation ink. Another feature of this paper is that it has a special coating that allows ink to adhere to it. You should not expose it to moisture. In this case, the paper will absorb moisture like a dry sponge.
It has been previously mentioned that sublimation inks blend with your fabric in a similar manner to dyeing. As soon as the heat transfer paper is applied to the fabric, it adheres to it as if it were an additional layer.
Heat Press vs Domestic Iron for Sublimation Printing
It is not recommended to use a home iron for sublimation printing. For the sublimation process to take place, the fabric must be heated to approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit in order for the ink to be transferred completely.
Additionally, you will require heavy pressure when doing such transfers, which is not possible with an ordinary iron. It is also essential that you maintain a consistent temperature, which you cannot achieve with iron.
For your sublimation projects, we recommend investing in a heat press. As long as the highest setting of the mini heat press reaches the minimum level required, it can handle simple sublimation projects.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to producing high-quality, vibrant, and long-lasting prints, choosing the right sublimation paper is crucial. It is important to consider factors such as substrate type, ink compatibility, size, thickness, and drying time when selecting sublimation paper. With the right choice of sublimation paper, you will be able to ensure that the prints you print will be of excellent quality and will last a very long time.
