Koalaylc
New member
Hello fellow professionals! During recent tests of sublimation paper, I observed that while this technology demonstrates significant advantages in color reproduction and durability, there remain considerable controversies in practical applications. Taking keycap printing as an example, the sublimation process can penetrate dye molecules into PBT material under high temperature, achieving five-sided pattern transfer with 16 million color gradations]. This far exceeds the color accuracy of inkjet printing, and the transferred image is waterproof and fade-resistant, with outdoor service life exceeding six months]. However, the process is extremely sensitive to temperature control - insufficient heating time or unstable vacuum environments often lead to keycap deformation or ink bleeding], issues similarly observed in polyester fabric printing for sportswear. From application perspectives, sublimation paper has proven effective in polyester textiles, coated metal signage, and ceramic mugs]. Yet cotton materials remain a technical limitation due to poor dye absorption]. Cost-wise, although domestic manufacturers like Guanhao High-Tech have introduced low-weight transfer paper to reduce unit prices], equipment investment remains triple that of inkjet systems, with per-sheet costs ranging from ¥0.3-0.8] - a significant burden for SMEs. Industry debates are noteworthy: proponents highlight expanding applications in soft signage through wide-format printers and new materials], while opponents emphasize inkjet's dominance in cotton apparel and large-format advertising]. A personal case involved failed dark cotton T-shirt transfers requiring screen printing alternatives, underscoring material compatibility challenges. Discussion Points: 1. Have you encountered transfer failures due to temperature control errors? What solutions proved effective? 2. For cotton material requirements incompatible with sublimation, what alternative customization methods do you recommend? 3. When facing budget constraints, would you prioritize traditional methods or attempt sublimation solutions? We welcome practical experiences and technical insights!