Sublimation As An Economic Way To Start A Printing Business

Phil Frost
2021-11-08T12:03:46-08:00

Sublimation is the latest technology in printing apparel. It is popular due to its many advantages, such as whole garment designs and long-lasting results. If you’re considering starting a printing business, sublimation is an economic way to go about it.

What makes sublimation a smart business decision from an economic standpoint? How can I create a successful business in this industry? Here’s what you need to know.

What is Sublimation?

The first step in starting a sublimation business is to gain a thorough understanding of how it works. Sublimation is the process of applying ink to fabrics or rigids materials in a special way. The ink starts out as a solid and is converted directly into a gas without ever reaching a liquid state. This is done using specialized sublimation equipment that heats a specific type of ink. Any design you can create can be printed onto a garment/substrate/material of your choice.

The Benefits of Sublimation

This type of printing has many benefits over other types of garment printing, such as:

Creative freedom. You can create virtually any design and print it onto a shirt or other garment. There is almost no limit to what you can do with sublimation printing. Design lasts. Because of the way the ink is transferred to the fabric, the design lasts a long time. It won’t crack, peel, or fade, even after many wears and washes. Whole garment printing. With sublimation it is possible to print over an entire garment, from seam to seam. Garments are breathable. Unlike screen printing that leaves a rubbery texture behind that is not porous, sublimation allows the material to still be breathable and stretchy for greater comfort. Photographic quality. High resolution printing is possible, even photographic quality that is extremely realistic looking. Market is large. There is a large market for sublimation printed garments from sports jerseys to personalized designs.

Investing in Sublimation Equipment

The biggest business expense you will have when getting started is purchasing sublimation equipment. You will need at least a printing machine and the specific type of ink that is required. The good news is that sublimation printers are quite affordable when compared to other types of printing equipment. The key products you’ll need include:

Sawgrass Virtuoso Printer. The Sawgrass Virtuoso printer series includes a variety of models to meet your needs. Sizing and type depends on the specific needs of your business and your goals. Sublimation Ink. There are a few types of sublimation ink that will work with most printers. The key is making sure to get ink that is specifically for sublimation printing. Epson/Ricoh Printheads. Epson & Ricoh makes a variety of sublimation printheads that will allow you to transfer the images you want to the garments of your choice.

You’ll also need to purchase the garments you wish to print on. Sublimation printing works best on 100% polyester or a polyester blend. Now also is possible to sublimate over cotton with a new kind of speciality paper designed for this purpose.

Why is Sublimation an Economic Choice?

You may have noticed that a few of the specific benefits mentioned above are economic advantages. For one, sublimation printers are affordable, making your startup expenses lower than other ventures. Another benefit is that polyester garments typically cost less than cotton, and polyester is the preferred material for sublimation. On top of that, there is a large market for sublimation printed garments at this time, making it a lucrative business.

All Printheads is Your Sublimation Equipment Supplier

If you’re looking for sublimation printers, ink, and accessories, All Printheads has you covered. We provide all of the equipment you’ll need to get your sublimation printing business off to a great start. Our wide selection of products allows you to customize your order to exactly what you need.

Browse our online catalog or contact us for more information about our products. We look forward to helping you get started on the road to success and continue to supply any additional products along the way.