Impressions - September 2015 - 71

The market for hardsurface sublimation is expanding daily, meaning there are
numerous opportunities to grow
and expand your business.

from programs like Adobe Photoshop
doesn't allow the color control that's possible with RIP printing software. With it,
you can develop your own color profile,
which results in a better finished product.
Heat Press: Heat is what catalyzes the
sublimation process, so a good heat press
is vital.
Clay-Based Transfer Paper: Regular
printing paper won't hold the ink droplets and allow them to transfer into the
coating. Clay-based paper will suspend the
ink until it is transferred into the coating.
Special Inks: These inks are extra vivid
and designed to last forever on hard surfaces.
Polyester Fabric: This can help wick
away moisture that could damage your finished product.
Blowout Paper: This type of paper
helps trap heat from the heat press and
also protects your pad from damage by
shielding it from extra ink that may escape
during sublimation.
Heat Gloves: During a process that involves a heat element, it's always a good
idea to protect your hands.
Heat Tape and Tape Dispenser: Tape
designed specifically for sublimation can
be removed more easily than regular tape.
Blue painters' tape also can be used, is removed more easily and works especially
well for large-format pieces.

PREVENTING CHIPPING
The market for hard-surface sublimation
is expanding daily. There are numerous
impressionsmag.com

opportunities to grow and expand your
business into new markets, such as personalized gifts, cell-phone cases, customized
business products, schools, sports, professional photography, fine art and more.
If you're already sublimating, here are
a few helpful tips that will help you avoid
chipping on aluminum or metal products.
1. When removing the protective film
from your panels, do not use any hard or
sharp tools that could possibly damage the
surface or edges. Also, remove the film without digging into the sublimatable surface.
2. You may be able to save an aluminum panel with a chipped edge by sanding
it, which also prevents future chipping. Use
220-grit sandpaper and a sanding block to
sand the edges and round the corners. Sand
in one consistent direction along the edge,
holding the block at a 45-degree angle to
the face of the aluminum in order to bevel
the edge. Use even force and light pressure
so that you don't cause even more chipping.
3. If you experience chipping on small
aluminum shapes (some keychains, keepsakes etc.), you can lightly sand the edge
after sublimating to prevent chipping.
If you sand before you sublimate, it may
cause delamination. Sand the item in a different location than where your heat press
is located to prevent dust, which may
cause other sublimation issues.
4. When applying tape before pressing your panel, apply it to the opposite
sides, but not the corners of the transfer
paper. Use two or three pieces of tape on

the sides of the panel close to the corner.
This will hold the transfer in place and still
make it easy to pull off. Once removed
from the heat press, take the transfer off
as soon as possible by gently pulling where
the transfer paper is attached to the panel.
5. Handle all panels with care, especially when preparing them for pressing.
Use extra care with hot aluminum panels,
especially around the edges.
6. Never lean panels against a wall.
This can cause them to bow when they
are displayed. Store larger panels on a flat
surface before displaying them. When
hanging panels, make sure they have
enough support so that they don't fall and
get chipped.
Sublimation is an art, and with practice
you consistently can produce quality results. By applying the above best practices
for preventing chipping, you can increase
your business by successfully sublimating
on hard-surface products.
Alesha Yaney is communications specialist for Unisub. For more information or
to comment on this article, email Alesha at
alesha.yaney@unisub.com.

Suggested

Reading

Like this article? Read these and
other digital decorating articles at
impressionsmag.com:
* "Getting More For Less"
* "Tips for Dot-Free
Sublimation"
* "Up In Arms"
September 2015 | Impressions

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