Impressions - Digital Decorator 2018 - 6

From inception stage at the design phase
to the finished garment, wide-format dye
sublimation allows for allover printing on
anything from sports apparel to highfashion garments. Photo courtesy of
Advanced Color Solutions.

The Printer

Wide- or large-format sublimation's definition of minimal size
(printing width) may vary by market, manufacturer, user or other
factors. At Advanced Color Solutions, we define large-format sublimation as a width between 44 and 104 inches, and anything larger
would be considered "grand format."
We expect the printer to include a few basics: the ability to print
four or more sublimation-ink colors; a bulk system of holding/
dispensing 1-2 liters or more of each color; a take-up system for
collecting the printed paper onto a core; have an included RIP or
open-ink architecture to be driven by a third-party RIP program;
and warranty and support from the supplier. The most popular sizes
are 44 and 64 inches, based on investment and application use.
Most dye-sublimation printers feature one or two print heads,
with four-plus-head, high-speed machines becoming more popular
based on need and trending affordability. The size and number of
print heads are factors in the printers' speed and color capabilities.
The bigger the print head or more print heads per printer generally
means more speed or unique ink configurations are possible. A fourcolor printer - allowing for four ink colors to flow to the print head
- will allow CMYK printing, which still is 75% or more of the dye
sublimation needed in the marketplace.
Invest in quality inks and transfer papers from reliable resellers
and manufacturers. Many sublimation printers are available that
print up to eight or more colors, allowing for a few different ink
configurations. The two most popular are CMYK and CMYK plus
fluorescents; light blacks; light cyan; and solid colors like orange,
violet or blue. You can add up to four colors based on your needs to

address certain popular colors in your market.
The additional colors will open your color gamut, but only if you
know how to use them. Ask your dealer for detailed information
based on your wants and needs, as additional colors almost always
sacrifice speed. Stability and consistency in color, release, dry time,
handling and availability outweigh economy-grade "pop-up" papers
and inks for high-quality applications.

The Heat Press

Don't get rid of your 16" x 20" heat press; there's still a place for it in
your business, but make room. In large-format dye-sub printing, the
two main manufacturing styles - with a world of configurations
and options - include flat and calender presses (the latter of which
also is known as a rotary or roll-to-roll press).
Assuming a heat area of at least 30" x 40", flat presses still are the
most common machines on the market. Simple to use, they come
in many different sizes and price levels. They are ideal for pressing
hard goods, such as metals, plastics, wood and tile. Configurations
are as follows:
Manual: The operator physically closes and opens the press with
no required air compressor. These machines are designed for lighter
use, often studio work where the press is not being run more than
eight hours a day.
Air-Operated/Semi or Pneumatic Machines: The operator may
have a tray to pull out or push in, but an air compressor handles
the machine's opening and closing. These presses are more accurate,
have heavier pressure, result in less operator fatigue and generally are

Invest in quality inks and transfer papers from reliable
resellers and manufacturers. Many sublimation printers
are available that print up to eight or more colors,
allowing for a few different ink configurations.
6 * Fall 2018

Impressions - Digital Decorator 2018

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