Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.
It does not matter what software you use for sublimation as long as it supports the sublimation ink system..and allows you to insure your ICC profile can be adjusted.. I use Corel and Photoshop.. and print with an Epson 1400 but bulk system artainium inks..So with sublimation inks/paper/printer you are set...
It does not matter what press you use as long as it goes to 400F and has even firm pressure...that is adjustable. The real key to dye sub is the right combination of inks/paper/pressure/time and temp...Since there is a variance in performance of heat presses...even those from same company you have to get to know your press and guage the pressure from experience.
For plates you can use a swingaway press and a plate puck which is a round aluminum type metal that you heat up on your press for a prescribed time..then place it over the transfer that is in the plate and then press again. the pre heating gets the puck hot and then the re press uses the pressure/heat to continue the process.. you can buy a machine but it can be a bit pricey when you buy and pay for shipping...you can find them on ebay for under 300 but there is a 160 shipping from australia...if you google sublimation plate press..you will get several leads...all from china or off shore...so...it is a bit of a gamble either way
Thanks for all the information!! I have a heat press and I just work with stock designs right now but for the 2008 year I am going to expand my business and wanting to know more so i have just a few more questions:
With the corel draw software does it give you a template for dog tags, coaster, placemat, etc....?
If it does not have a template how would you get it to fit when you press it?
Are the business packages from Best Blanks and other companies good starters for sublimation?
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imburne....I am really curious about your post..you say you have a Roland GX24 (so do I) and that it works fine with sublimation. Could you explain that for me. I have been doing sublimation for over 7 years and I cannot see how one would use the Roland with sublimation. Sublimation does require special ink/paper/printer to get an image you then press on the garment..white or ash ....so where do you use the Roland...? to contur cut?..which you don't need with sublimation.
Marc..I am not aware of any design program that comes with templates you would use with sublimation. There are two programs that do have templates, Novelty Pro and Hanes. I do not care for Hanes...but that is just my opinion. until then you can just make sure the background is larger than your item and that the image/text will fit the object and then press..just make sure you have paper under the object so you won't get ink on the lower platen
As to the business packages..one just has to look at the items in the package..then price them separately and see if the package deal is a 'deal' or just hyped...as is often the case.
I was talking about using vinyl to augment the sublimation....ala adding glitter and foil etc that you cannot do with sublimation...was not talking about contour cutting as that is not necessary for sublimation which has no hand.
BTW...the post about this was about one year ago...I no longer have the GX24, but switched to the GCC Puma III
Sublimation question 
Re: Sublimation question 
