Sublimation is not as easy as many people think. The whole process is quite complicated and there are lots of precautions that must be taken throughout the process. A common problem that people face when printing images onto a surface is ghosting. In this article, we will be discussing what ghosting is and how it can be avoided.
What is Ghosting?
Ghosting occurs when the sublimation ink is still active after the heat press has been opened. The opening of the heat press moves the paper and the substrate on the image slightly, thereby skewing the image from its intended place.
This leaves a ghost-like image behind, which is impossible to remove. If you are a beginner, then you should do extensive research about what needs to be done exactly with the sublimation tools and paper during printing. Only then will you be able to work effectively with sublimation tools and avoid this problem.
How to Avoid Sublimation
Here are three things that you must do in order to avoid ghosting:
- Each surface needs a different temperature, pressure and time for sublimation. One common mistake is changing from one substrate to another without adjusting the pressure and time for the new item. Once they close the heat press, only then they realize that they need to make adjustments. Unfortunately, the ink is already activated and if the heat press is opened and closed again, it moves the paper. Therefore, it is important to plan ahead and make the adjustments before closing the heat press.
- The next thing you must ensure is that you are using the right method for holding the sublimation transfer sheet on to the substrate. Soft goods, like mouse pads, garments, totes and bags, need a tacky sublimation paper. Hard surfaces, like coffee mugs and serving trays, on the other hand require a heat-resistant tape to keep the transfer paper in place.
- The last thing you must ensure is that you open the heat press gently so that the item does not shift too much. The item should be moved gently to the cooling area from the heat press and only then should the transfer paper be removed. Try not to touch the printed area, as it can move the ink and somehow spoil the image.
If you are looking for a reliable transfer paper manufacturer, then get in touch with JD Sublimation Paper & Sublimation Ink. We supply all sorts of dye-sublimation transfer papers, including eco-solvent transfer papers.
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