Sublimation Printing: Why Do Your Prints Fade and How Can You Avoid It?
Why is my sublimation print faded? know the reasons here and also the solution for faded prints after pressing, washing and while printing. Sublimation printing is a popular method for transferring colour to fabrics, ceramics, and other surfaces.
It entails applying heat and pressure to convert the dye into a gas phase, allowing it to permeate the substrate. This can result in brilliant, long-lasting prints, but sublimation prints can fade over time.
Screen Printing Vs Sublimation
There are several major reasons why your sublimation prints may fade:
Inadequate Temperature or Time
A critical component of sublimation printing is ensuring that the heat and time in the heat press are sufficient. Polyester substrates typically require 380-420°F for 30-90 seconds.
If the temperature or duration is too low, the colour may not completely infuse, resulting in fading. Check the exact requirements for your substrate at all times.
Inks of Poor Quality
Not all sublimation inks are the same. When compared to professional sublimation inks, lower grade or expired inks are more prone to washing out or fading. Stick to reputed ink brands and replace expired inks.
Wear and Washing
Dyes, no matter how fully infused, can fade with repeated washing and wearing. Turn clothing inside out, wash in cold water, avoid bleach, and air dry to extend the life of prints. The more durable the substrate (such as 100% polyester), the higher the fading resistance.
Sublimation Printing Softwares
UV Radiation
Sublimation prints can also break down and fade more quickly when exposed to sunlight and UV radiation. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, especially while working with sensitive fabrics. Washing clothes before exposing them to the sun can also help remove excess dye that would fade.
You can obtain the longest lasting vibrancy out of your sublimation printed products by understanding what causes fading and taking steps to maximize dye infusion, use quality inks, gently wash, and avoid sun exposure.
Ensure that your print settings fit the substrate requirements, that you choose reputed dye inks, and that you properly care for prints so that they last for many years.
With the proper care, your custom sublimation graphics can last as long as the day they were printed.
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Why is My Sublimation Print Faded After Pressing?
There are several possible causes for a sublimation print to seem faded even immediately after pressing:
Insufficient time: In addition to temperature, sublimation necessitates a dwell period of 40-90 seconds to ensure that the heat effectively transfers the colour. If the print is removed too soon, the colours could seem washed out. Observe the suggested time limits.
Uneven pressure: Gaps in the substrate or inconsistent pressure from the heat press can cause uneven dye transfer, which can result in light or faded patches. Verify that the entire print area is being pressed evenly and firmly.
Inadequate temperature: In order for sublimation to completely infuse the dye into the fabric, a high heat of about 400°F is needed. Results may fade if the oven or heat press was not heated to a high enough temperature. Always preheat the apparatus and check the temperature with a thermometer.
Bad quality inks: Even with the right heat and time, fading prints are frequently produced by sublimation inks that are of low quality or have expired. For vibrant results, use premium inks from reliable brands at all times.
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Incompatible substrate: While cotton does not fully receive the print, certain textiles, such as 100% polyester, work well for sublimation. Verify that the material you plan to print on is made to work with dye sublimation.
You may assist in figuring out why prints are coming out faded by troubleshooting the temperature, dwell time, inks, cloth, and pressure throughout the sublimation process.
To guarantee proper dye infusion, start by making sure your heat press settings match the requirements for the substrate.
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Why Have My Sublimation Prints Faded After Washing?
There are several typical reasons why a sublimation print may fade after washing:
Insufficient dye infusion: If the print was not pressed at a high enough temperature or for a enough amount of time, the dye may not have entirely bonded to the fabric fibres. This allows dye to wash away more readily.
Poor print quality: Lower-quality prints with flaws such as banding or poor colour saturation are more likely to fade after washing. High-quality prints start out more bright and resist fading.
Severe detergents: Using strong detergents, bleach, or severe wash cycles might help break down dye molecules faster. Use moderate, dye-friendly detergents and wash prints in cold water.
Fabric type: Polyester textiles are suitable for sublimation dyes. Fabrics
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